AOL is planning to start offering 5GB of online storage available for free to all Web users. The storage service will be available starting in early September 2006.

The service will be powered by AOL's Xdrive service, and will allow users to back up files such as photos, documents, music, videos, and more.

Users will be able to access their files from any PC or mobile device with a Web connection, share them with others by granting file/folder permission, move them via easy drag-and-drop tools, automatically back up files or folders, and auto-upload any e-mail attachments they receive via major providers. There will be no charges for user to upload or download.

The new free 5 GB storage offering will be available to any users with an AOL or AIM screenname. All files stored on the Xdrive service are protected in secure, state-of-the-art data facilities.

Users who need more storage can upgrade to a premium service with 50GB of storage.

Xdrive was purchased by AOL in August 2005.