latest
Microsoft rolls out improved Personal Vault, ransomware detection, and more for premium OneDrive customers
Microsoft has added a bunch of new features such as an enhanced Personal Vault for OneDrive customers leveraging Microsoft 365 Basic.
Microsoft 365 Basic is a very useful subscription for consumers who prefer the Redmond tech firm's cloud services. For $1.99/month, you get 100GB of OneDrive, access to Office apps on the web and mobile, and an ad-free Outlook experience, among many other things. Now, Microsoft has sweetened the pot even further by announcing new features for OneDrive.
File Viewer in Microsoft 365 gets a performance boost and Copilot integration
Microsoft has begun rolling out updates to the File Viewer utility in Microsoft 365, including a significant performance boost too.
If you're an avid Microsoft 365 customer, you've likely come across File Viewer; the interface that allows you to access non-Office files in services like OneDrive, SharePoint, and Teams. It's the technology that allows you to preview and open PDF, CAD, video, and audio files, even enabling users to perform basic image editing and annotation on images. Now, Microsoft has announced a bunch of new capabilities that it is rolling out to File Viewer.
How to disable OneDrive in Windows 11
Is the OneDrive app giving you trouble? Here's how to disable it.
OneDrive is one of the best cloud storage services out there, mostly because it's baked into Windows and integrates well with Microsoft Office apps. It automatically syncs most of your files, and mostly stays out of your way. However, it does have its downsides. For one, if OneDrive is syncing files all the time, it can lead to your computer slowing down or losing battery life. Plus, storing all your files in the cloud by default isn't something everyone wants.
OneDrive will no longer let you upload files from URLs
The support will end at the end of this month!
While Microsoft keeps adding new features to OneDrive to improve the overall experience, the company doesn't shy away from removing something users don't find useful. According to Microsoft, the ability to upload files to OneDrive directly from URLs is one such feature that not many users benefit from and, therefore, is being discontinued.
Copilot for OneDrive will dig through your files to answer your queries
Go through your files in a breeze.
How organized are your files on your computer? Regardless of if you have everything in neat folders or have everything strewn all over the place, it can be tricky to find the information you need from your files. Now, Microsoft is adding Copilot features to OneDrive that will allow the AI assistant to dig through all of your files, answer your queries based on what it finds, and even sum up your data in a format that you ask for.
January has only just ended, and we've already seen Microsoft revamp two of its apps to suit the new year. First, we saw the company rename its mobile browser to "Microsoft Edge: AI Browser," and now OneDrive is getting its turn in the spotlight. Microsoft has revealed a shiny new UI for OneDrive, and you can give the update a try for yourself starting today.
Microsoft replaces Files app with OneDrive in new Teams app
The revamped OneDrive app replaces the Files app in the new Teams app, giving users quick access to Microsoft 365 content without leaving the app.
Microsoft has announced that it's started replacing the Files with the new OneDrive app in the new Teams app. The new OneDrive app, with all the updates made to OneDrive and SharePoint library experiences, will make file management much more effective than previously, according to the Redmond-based tech firm.
Microsoft reverses course on OneDrive's qutting dialog box
After OneDrive's new quit dialog box drew a lot of negative criticism, Microsoft is now putting things back to what they were like before.
If you've been keeping on top of the latest Windows news, you'll know that OneDrive received an update where Microsoft would force you to choose why you were quitting OneDrive. Not only was it a nasty surprise for those who didn't want to use OneDrive, but the app wouldn't allow you to click the close button until you've selected a reason.
Microsoft will now make you pick a reason why you're quitting OneDrive
A new update to the cloud storage app will now ask you why you chose to close it, and it won't go away until you tell it why.
If you've ever uninstalled a program, there's a good chance you've seen a screen pop up where the developers ask you why you chose to uninstall their app. It's a good way for developers to figure out what is causing people to stop using their programs. Microsoft is now doing a similar thing with OneDrive, the main difference being that it'll interrogate you about your motives if you dare try to stop the app from running, and it won't let you close OneDrive until you tell it your reasoning.
Best cloud storage services in 2024
There's no shortage of cloud service providers in the computing world, but here are the ones I recommend checking out in 2023.
The importance and convenience of using cloud storage can't be understated. The best cloud storage services will not only help you save storage space on your phones, laptops, and other devices, but they also act as a safe space to tuck your files away from your physical computer and let you easily share them with others. You can also use these services to collaborate with your colleagues or to access your files across a variety of devices.
Microsoft rolls back controversial OneDrive storage policy
Microsoft has walked back on a controversial upcoming OneDrive storage policy that would have seen customers use up quotas unnecessarily.
Over a month ago, Microsoft announced a controversial OneDrive storage policy change which meant that photos used in albums will count separately toward storage quotas, potentially consuming more space. This was especially problematic for people on the free 5GB plan since they would essentially be storing duplicates rather than references to the same photo in multiple locations in a storage tier that's already fairly restrictive. Following backlash, Microsoft has now decided to revert this upcoming policy.
Microsoft is bringing Copilot to OneDrive and giving it a massive overhaul
Microsoft has announced that the Copilot experience is coming to Microsoft OneDrive, helping you manage and personalize your files more easily
Today during an exclusive online event, Microsoft announced some of the incoming changes to OneDrive service on Windows 11, the web, and across the rest of Microsoft 365. The company detailed what it's calling "the third generation of OneDrive," and highlighted that its new Copilot experience will also be coming to OneDrive. The Redmond firm also revealed some new design features for the web-based experience of service, like colored folders. If you're wondering, some of these features are now available for testing, if you sign in with a business account on OneDrive.
Microsoft will hide the new Windows Backup app on some PCs
The Windows Backup app is primarily intended for consumer use only, so Microsoft will soon be hiding it on certain editions of Windows 10 and 11.
Over a month ago, we learned that despite not being a candidate for feature updates anymore, Windows 10 will receive the Windows Backup app, which was previously only available for Windows 11 users. While this utility is quite beneficial for many, it does come with a requirement that makes it a hard sell for certain customers. Although this category of affected users might want to remove the software, Microsoft has confirmed that it is not possible to do so, for now.
Best Google Photos alternatives in 2024
Let's take a look at some of the best Google Photos alternatives for your cloud storage needs.
Google Photos remains one of the best cloud storage for photos in 2023. It no longer offers unlimited free storage, but there's more to it than just the storage space. It packs a ton of useful features that let you easily search through your images, automatically create memories, edit photos and videos, and so much more. That being said, if you don't want to pay for additional storage space for Google Photos or if you simply want to explore some other alternatives, then there are some good options to consider. You may not find an alternative that comes with all the bells and whistles, but there are plenty of solid services. Let's dive in!
Microsoft's OneDrive for web will soon work offline
Microsoft is working on a new OneDrive feature that will allow you to perform certain important actions when you are offline.
Microsoft has major plans for OneDrive, with the company announcing many AI features in a dedicated event, set to take place next month. However, the software giant has one more feature in the works for OneDrive to make its cloud storage service more accessible even when you're not connected to the internet.
Photo albums in OneDrive are about to take up a whole lot more space
Microsoft is implementing a controversial change in OneDrive's storage space policy that may affect many.
OneDrive is one of the best cloud storage services out there, especially because of its cost and how tightly it integrates with Microsoft Office applications. The service is due to receive some AI features next month if the latest rumors are to be believed, but ahead of that, Microsoft has announced a change in policy that may be deemed controversial by many.
OneDrive may get an AI boost at an event next month
A leaked promotional video shows that Microsoft will unveil new OneDrive features next month with a potential focus on AI.
Microsoft already has some big news lined up for a Surface event later this month, but it looks like the company may have a few more surprises in the works beyond hardware. A leaked video shared by X (Twitter) user WalkingCat shows that the company is unveiling new features for OneDrive on October 3rd.
It's now even easier to access Microsoft OneDrive on your Chromebook
Google is rolling out ChromeOS version 116 and it adds a new OneDrive integration, and tons of other new features
Google is rolling out ChromeOS version 116 to the Beta channel. This is a fairly big release because it brings a new way to use OneDrive on your Chromebook through the Files app, along with several other changes to some everyday parts of the operating system.
New Microsoft 365 plan includes 100GB of OneDrive storage for $1.99, but not Office PC apps
Microsoft is introducing a new Microsoft 365 plan that includes 100GB of OneDrive storage but without the desktop Office apps.
Microsoft 365 is getting a new, more affordable plan for users who don't need the full suite of benefits. Microsoft 365 Basic, as it's called, offers 100GB of OneDrive cloud storage, but it doesn't include access to the desktop Office apps that are included in the Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans.
Windows 11 gets a fresh OneDrive app with a more modern design
The new OneDrive app on Windows 11 features dark mode support, and many of Windows 11's design effects
Microsoft is rolling out a new OneDrive app on Windows 11. The fresh app is heavily based on the main design of Windows 11 and sports new visual effects and menus, but doesn't really add any new features.