In 2005, Microsoft introduced an online web portal where users could store files, get their e-mail, communicate with other users, and share files. This web portal was known originally as Windows Live, but has been rebranded as Office 365. Chapter 12 discusses it in more detail. In this chapter, however, you learn about working in the cloud with Microsoft OneDrive, an online file sharing and file storage tool. To go to OneDrive using a web browser simply open https://OneDrive.com
or https://OneDrive.live.com
in your browser.
Microsoft OneDrive provides an area online where you can store and share photos, presentations, and other files. With Windows 10, an app is available to help you manage and add files to OneDrive. This chapter shows you how to use the OneDrive Windows syncing application.
In previous versions of Windows, OneDrive was an app you downloaded and installed. In Windows 10, OneDrive functionality is fully integrated with the operating system and the service appears as a separate drive or device to all applications.
Even if you aren't connected to the Internet, you can use OneDrive locally, use its features to sync your files with the online portal, and share files with other applications that are OneDrive-aware.
Synchronizing files among all your devices is as simple as setting up your devices to support and sign in to OneDrive with your Microsoft account. You can copy files to each local drive or simply access and work with a single instance of your file.
In 2010, Microsoft introduced Azure, a cloud computing platform and infrastructure that was designed for building, executing, and managing applications and services through a global network of Microsoft-managed data centers. Azure supports many different programming languages, tools, and frameworks, as well as both Microsoft-specific and third-party software and systems.
By entering https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us
in your web browser, you can access the Azure site.
Computer users have been limited in the ways in which they can access files on disparate systems. Traditionally, users store their files on a local hard drive (such as the C:
drive) or on a network drive at work. To use those files on a different computer, that computer must have a network connection to the user's network drive, or the user must transfer files using a removable drive such as a flash drive.
With cloud technology, the user only needs access to the Internet in order to work on files. Microsoft OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud-based technology that provides access to users' files from any location at any time. The advantage of cloud technologies is that you aren't limited to a company network location or a removable drive strategy. Storing files in the cloud also provides a more flexible way for users to share files with other users. You no longer have to rely on the network administrator in your organization to establish shares for your teams, colleagues, or other people with whom you want to share files.
Microsoft has a vision that every user should have access to his or her files any time and anywhere he or she wants them (with Internet connectivity, of course). In addition, the device you use to access your files should be irrelevant. For example, users should be able to access files using a personal computer, a tablet device with Wi-Fi connectivity, a smartphone, or a laptop. In fact, with Microsoft OneDrive, any user who has a Microsoft Phone, Xbox, an Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, or a Google Android-based tablet or smartphone can access OneDrive files as well.
In addition to Microsoft OneDrive, other cloud-based file-storage services exist. This chapter focuses on Microsoft OneDrive, but you're welcome to learn about other services to see which is best for you and your organization. The following are a few of the most popular online storage services:
https://drive.google.com
www.sugarsync.com
www.dropbox.com
www.box.com
www.cubby.com
OneDrive has been available for users in the Microsoft Live family of products for several years. With OneDrive, you can store many types of files online, including word processing documents, spreadsheets, text files, photos, presentations, and videos.
To begin using OneDrive, you need a Windows OneDrive account. This chapter assumes you have a Microsoft or Live ID account. To ensure you can start using OneDrive, read Chapter 12 to see how to set up an account and to confirm that you can log in to Windows OneDrive. Also refer to Chapter 4, which shows you how to create a Microsoft account that syncs you into both your PC account and the Microsoft Cloud resources like OneDrive.
Signing in to your computer with a local account only lets you use the OneDrive app to browse your PC. You can't access your files unless you also log in to OneDrive.com.
With Windows 10, you have three primary ways to access files stored in your OneDrive environment:
C:
drive or any other storage device. This option is shown in Figure 15.1.https://OneDrive.live.com
, which automatically reroutes you to the Windows OneDrive website.As you've read, OneDrive is now a folder on your computer. Files and folders you put into your OneDrive folder get synced with the OneDrive (Windows OneDrive) web portal and will sync with other devices that run OneDrive apps.
The following section describes the use of OneDrive in Windows 10.
OneDrive is available on the Windows Start menu. Click it now to start using it.
When the application first appears, if you don't have a Microsoft account on your local PC, you're prompted to enter your Microsoft OneDrive login credentials. Do so to continue with the initial setup process. You can view OneDrive items in one of two ways: in a browser window or from File Explorer. To access your OneDrive folders from File Explorer, simply open OneDrive from the Start menu. The screen in Figure 15.2 opens. You can use the regular File Explorer tools to change the view. Figure 15.4, for example, shows the OneDrive in thumbnail view.
One of the tasks that you can perform with OneDrive in File Explorer is to add files to your OneDrive folders. You can add files from your computer to OneDrive by using the following steps:
OneDrive uploads the files to your OneDrive account online and displays those files in your OneDrive folder on the Internet. Figure 15.6 shows an example of what this looks like if you view your copy and pasted files in Internet Explorer.
The beauty of working with OneDrive is that you can use the full functionality of Windows drag and drop with OneDrive.
One of the most powerful uses of OneDrive is the capability to share files with other users. For example, you can choose to share files from OneDrive to other OneDrive account users or with those who do not have a OneDrive account. The following steps show you how to share files using OneDrive:
To configure your OneDrive, right-click the OneDrive taskbar notification application and select Settings. Select the Settings tab as shown in Figure 15.10. You can set the following items on this tab:
Then click OK when your settings are configured as needed.
Windows 10 provides a good platform for using the Microsoft OneDrive cloud service. You can use a web browser or File Explorer to access and manage your OneDrive files.
In summary: