Microsoft OneDrive (formerly SkyDrive) has been popular in cloud storage for many years. In fact, its launch in 2007 makes it as old as Dropbox. As for technology, years do not always lead to success.

Although there is plenty of Microsoft haters, OneDrive has a lot to love. It has good file sharing functions, quickly synchronizes files and comes at a reasonable price. Not only do you get 1 TB of storage for $ 6.99 per month, you get access to Office 365, the legendary Microsoft office suite.

In short, OneDrive is one of the best options for students, office workers and anyone who wants to increase their productivity. It even has some good options for playing media when you need a break from work.

The disadvantage is security. Data stored on OneDrive servers is encrypted only for OneDrive Business users. Home-based consumer files remain as plain text, which can lead to a crash in the event of a hack, such as defeating the 2012 Dropbox.

Vulnerability is one of the main reasons why we don’t put OneDrive among the best cloud storage providers. If you decide to use OneDrive, we recommend using it with a private encryption service such as Boxcryptor.

Benefits:

• Great family plan.
• Office
• Suitable for data exchange.
• Fast sync.
• Own passwords.
• Video broadcast.
• Chat support.

Disadvantages:

• No server side encryption.
• Only 30 days trial version.
• The file size limit is 10 GB.
• No Linux client.

Specifications:

• Free trial: registration is required.
• System: Windows and Mac.
• Price: from $ 8, 69 / month.
• Mobile applications: iOS, Android, Blackberry, Windows, Amazon Fire / Kindle Fire.
• Sync: yes.
• Free external backup HD: Yes.
• Incremental backup: Yes.
• Web access: yes.
• Continuous backup: no.
• Backup Planning: None.
• HIPAA compliant: no.
• File size limit: unlimited.
• Exclude file extensions for backup: no.
• Network drives: no.
• Bandwidth throttling: no.
• Available computers: 1.
• Local encryption: no.
• Server side encryption: 256 bits.
• Saves deleted files: 93 days.
• File version management: 30 versions.
• File Sharing: Yes.
• Share photo albums: Yes.
• Folder collaboration: Yes.
• Outlook Backup: Yes.
• Stream music: no.
• Multiple accounts: no.

The purpose of OneDrive is the same as that of any cloud storage: to reduce clutter on your hard disk. Instead of storing documents, photos, music and movies locally, save them in the cloud and save space on your hard drive for more important tasks, such as expanding a video game library (although there are cloud game services).

Features regular OneDrive inside Windows 10

OneDrive provides 5 GB, 50 GB or 1 TB of disk space depending on your subscription. All of them allow you to upload files using the synchronization folder or online console.

Although remote file hosting is a hallmark of cloud storage, the focus is on file sharing and device synchronization. File sharing allows other users to view, download and even edit documents. Synchronization provides access to the same files on multiple devices, and documents changed on one device can be viewed on other devices in almost real time.

Microsoft Office 365 and Office Online

In addition to Windows, Microsoft's biggest claim to fame over the past 30 years has been Microsoft Office. It includes software such as Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point.

More recently, Microsoft OneNote has established itself as one of the best note taking applications. Microsoft Project, a project management tool that appeared back in 1984, no longer stands still, but it experienced a revival with the transition to the cloud.

Regardless of your subscription, you can use Office Online for free. So it looks like GoogleDocs. For desktop versions of Microsoft Office, you need to subscribe to Office 365 or OneDrive Business.

Photos and recognition of OneDrive objects

Photos stored in OneDrive can not only be previewed - the software will help you find them later with search, tags and albums. The search finds file names and metadata, as well as text in images using optical character recognition.

This means that it can recognize such things as receipts, checks and notes. Location data is also added to photos, and you can add your own tags or delete those that you don’t need.

Security

Each cloud storage has an Achilles heel, and even more than one. For OneDrive, security is a major issue. The most glaring problem is that, unlike almost any other cloud storage, Microsoft does not encrypt files stored on servers.

Since your files are not encrypted when stored on OneDrive servers, they are more likely to be stolen if data is hacked. Even if Microsoft's data centers are strong enough to repel cyber attacks, all that is required is a fraudster with the necessary authority to do damage.

If you are a fan of OneDrive who would subscribe to the service if it were not for the encryption vulnerability, we recommend associating it with a private encryption tool such as Boxcryptor. With Boxcryptor, you can encrypt your files before sending to OneDrive with a password and encryption key that only you know. Files will not be decrypted until you download them again.

The disadvantage is that you cannot view or edit files online with private encryption enabled. We recommend creating a personal encryption folder for long-term storage and an unencrypted folder for active projects so that you can use OfficeOnline without fail.

OneDrive protects files when transferring between devices and their server tools. This is achieved through transport security, which is standard practice. This will help prevent other users from intercepting, modifying, or otherwise misusing files moving over the Internet.

OneDrive provides two-factor authentication to ensure protection against password theft or cracking. When 2FA is enabled, logging in to the OneDrive account from an unfamiliar computer requires additional credentials.

You can get additional credentials by email, phone, or through an application for authentication. It’s best to never have a problem setting a strong password or using a cloud password manager such as Dashlane.

Run and configure the OneDrive service

If you want to use OneDrive for Windows 7, you must download the OneDrive application from the Microsoft website and then install it on your PC. To do this, open a web browser, go to the OneDrive download page and click the download button.

When your browser asks, select "Run OneDriveSetup.exe". In addition, you can save it somewhere on your computer and then run it. Windows can launch a privacy query to ask you to confirm that you want to run the executable file. Select Yes to continue.

Now wait until OneDrive for Windows is installed on your computer. It should not take a lot of time. After the installation is complete, the OneDrive application will ask you to sign in to the Microsoft account you intend to use with it. Enter your own and then click Login.

Enter your password and click Login again. If you have connected other authentication methods, for example, using the Microsoft Authenticator application on your smartphone, you can also use them to log in. Note that if you set up two-step authentication, you will be asked to verify your identity.

By default, the OneDrive folder is installed in your user folder in the following path: "C: \ Users \ Username \ OneDrive". For most users, this is the default setting. However, if you have a better location, click “Change Location” and select the location where you want to place the OneDrive folder.

Now you have the opportunity to choose which folders from OneDrive you want to automatically synchronize with your computer. If you want everything to be synchronized, select "Synchronize all files and folders in OneDrive." Otherwise, select each folder you want to sync. Then click Next to move on.

OneDrive will show several slides in which tells how to copy files and folders, how to share and edit them, and also how to get OneDrive on a smartphone or tablet. To complete the installation, click the Open OneDrive folder button.

How to open OneDrive in Windows Explorer

To use OneDrive, you need to open the folder set during initial setup. Like any other folder on your computer, you can browse it through Windows Explorer. However, there are faster ways to get there: one of the fastest ways to access the OneDrive folder is to double-click the cloud icon in the taskbar notification area.

If you right-click the cloud icon, you will get there just as quickly. Select "Open OneDrive Folder" or "Open Folder." You can also click the Microsoft OneDrive shortcut on the Start menu.

Last but not least, the OneDrive folder is also listed in the Favorites section of Windows Explorer. Click on it and the OneDrive folder will open.

How to add files and folders to OneDrive for Windows 7

OneDrive's most important goal is to store your files in the cloud so that you can access them from any device with Internet access. To take advantage of this, you must open the OneDrive folder. Adding files is a simple process: in fact, this is the same as adding a file to any other folder on your hard disk:

• You can add files by clicking and dragging them into the OneDrive folder.
• You can also copy and paste files into OneDrive folders.
• You can even save files directly to OneDrive by selecting it in the Save As dialog box in any program.

Creating folders works the same as in Windows. There is nothing special or new that you need to learn about working with files and folders.

How to set up OneDrive for Windows 7

When you start working with OneDrive, you may find that you want to change the way the application works on your computer. To change settings, click the OneDrive icon on the Windows taskbar, then click Advanced, and then click Settings.

On the Settings tab, you can choose whether to start OneDrive when Windows starts. Turning off this feature can increase the startup speed, but also prevents the computer from syncing new files to OneDrive until you start the application. You can also enable the “Receive” function and choose whether to receive notifications from the application.

The "Account" tab allows you to add new Microsoft accounts, disconnect OneDrive and "Select folders" that you want to sync. He also provides a link to the paid data plans offered by Microsoft for OneDrive. With their help, you can increase the available space in the cloud.

Be careful with the “UnlinkOneDrive” option, because if you use it, your files will no longer be updated with OneDrive. In addition, it should be remembered that in order to resume using OneDrive on your computer, it must be reconfigured.

The "Select Folders" button allows you to choose which folders you want to synchronize with your computer. The displayed parameters are the same as in the original configuration, so there is no reason to go into details again.

OneDrive is configured by default to back up your personal files, such as documents and photos. If you do not want this or want to leave this feature enabled only for some folders, you can configure everything on the “Autosave” tab. In addition, if you wish, you can also enable OneDrive to automatically back up screen shots and photos from cameras, smartphones, and other similar devices that you connect to your Windows 7 PC.

On the Network tab, OneDrive allows you to select bandwidth limits for upload and download. By default, the parameters are not limited, but if you want, you can set limits.

Microsoft has integrated OneDrive with its Office applications, and collaboration with other people is possible if you allow Office to sync files with OneDrive. By default, this feature is enabled, but if you do not need it, you can disable it on the Office tab.

The last tab in the OneDrive settings is called About and provides you with information about the application and links to several resources associated with it.

How to use OneDrive

Now that your files are on the same disk, you can manage them just like on your computer. You can move, copy, rename and delete them, as well as organize them into folders.

To manage a file or folder and use OneDrive, click on the 3 vertical dots (Show actions) to the right of the file or folder name. Then select your action.

If you want to perform the same action for multiple files or folders, first select them by clicking on the circle that appears to the left of the file or folder name when you hover over it. So a check mark will appear, and the file will remain selected, even if you click on another file. Then you can do the same with the other files you want to select. After selecting all files and folders, click on the 3 vertical dots (Show actions) to the right of one of the names of the selected files or folders. Then select your action.

In addition, when you select a file or folder, you will see a change in the top menu bar and display the various actions you can perform. Just click on the action you want to perform.

If you need to create a new folder for placing files and further use, click “Create” in the top menu bar. In the drop-down list, click "Folder". Enter a name for your folder, and then click Create. You will now have a new folder displayed in your OneDrive. You can move files or other folders to another disk at will. Note that new files and folders are highlighted with small blue lines near the top left edge of their name.

Troubleshoot OneDrive service issues

Errors may occur during OneDrive operation, so try restarting first. Here's how to restart the OneDrive app:

1. Right-click the OneDrive (white cloud) icon in the taskbar.
2. Click Exit.
3. Click Start, type OneDrive and open the program.
4. Check if you can sync the files again.

Support

Microsoft maintains an online help center for its software, including OneDrive, Office 365, and OfficeOnline. What should be expected from a company of this size.

You can search for help topics or browse by category. OneDrive categories include Getting Started, Files, Sharing and Collaboration, Sync, Mobile and Mac, Accounts and Storage, and Troubleshooting. The website has several training pages, many of which include videos.

If you cannot find what you want on the website, you can contact Microsoft support or visit the community forum. When you contact Microsoft, you start with a chat bot of sorts, using what the company calls a "reference application." Enter your question and the tool will try to narrow the problem. If at some point you feel that the approach is not going anywhere, you can instead talk to a living, breathing person.

The live chat window will open and you can try to solve the problem with the technician. This is not only free chat, it is available 24/7. This is a huge advantage over Google, Dropbox, Box and any other cloud storage provider that comes to mind.

If you prefer telephone assistance, you can call customer support from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm on weekdays and from 6 am to 3 pm on weekends. You can also send a request by email through the user interface. The lead time is usually at least 24 hours.

User forum is another alternative. Although user forums can be a great source of thinking outside the box in which trained support personnel are not always well-understood, the official Microsoft forum does not seem to elicit much feedback from other users or employees. In general, it is worth giving OneDrive high marks for support. In recent years, he has achieved great success and, at least in this matter, surpasses competitors.

Reset

1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the taskbar.
2. Click Settings and then Disable.
3. Follow the instructions in the Welcome to OneDrive wizard to set up the program again.

Disable antivirus / firewall

Security software (antivirus, firewall, or anti-malware tools) can sometimes interfere with OneDrive synchronization. Obviously, the fastest solution to fix this problem is to disable the antivirus or firewall. If the synchronization process completes successfully, you have just determined the cause of the problem. Не забудьте включить защиту от вирусов и брандмауэр, как только вы синхронизируете свои файлы.

Вот и все, мы надеемся, что хотя бы одно из перечисленных выше решений помогло вам с проблемой синхронизации в OneDrive.

Как удалить OneDrive

Now go to the "Account" tab and click the "Select Folders" button. A window will open with a long list of all the various folders that OneDrive currently backs up in the cloud. You can go through and manually remove the check mark from each of them, but the fastest way is to click on the button “Synchronize all files and folders in the OneDrive window” at the top of the list. This should remove them all at once.

If you only had a few marks, double-click on the field: once to select all, and then a second time to clear everything. You will see a warning message because you are going to delete all these files from the hard drive, but remember that they will still be available on the Internet on OneDrive.com. Click OK to confirm the changes.

Now that all settings have been made, you can click the OK button at the bottom of the Settings window to activate them. Return to the notification area again, right-click on the OneDrive icon, select Settings, and select the Account tab. This time, click on the UnlinkOneDrive options, and then close the WelcometoOneDrive window that opens.

To remove an icon in the explorer, you need to click the explorer icon itself, and then right-click OneDrive. In the menu that appears, select "Properties", open the "General" tab, then in the "Attributes" section, select the "Hidden" checkbox.

Finally, go back to the notification area, right-click OneDrive and select "Exit." That's all! OneDrive will now remain inactive on your system until you want to raise it from your slumber.

Disable and hide OneDrive in Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, things are a little different. First of all, you cannot delete OneDrive at all, but you can disable the service.

Start by opening the Start menu by right-clicking the OneDrive icon and selecting Unpin from Start.

Then you need to open the PC Settings / OneDrive and disable all synchronization and storage options.

On the File Storage tab, disable saving documents to OneDrive by default. Then go to the “Photos” tab and select “Don't upload photos, ” and then turn off the “Automatically upload video to OneDrive” option.

Then open the “Sync Settings” tab, find the sync settings with OneDrive, then disable syncing the settings on this PC.

Finally, go to the MeteredConnections tab and make sure everything is disabled.

Now that all sync options are disabled, the last step is to hide the OneDrive folder in Explorer. To do this, open the explorer, right-click OneDrive and select "Properties".

On the General tab, you will see a section labeled Attributes. Check the Hidden checkbox and when you return to the Explorer, you will see that OneDrive has disappeared.

OneDrive was not always a good cloud storage service. However, it would be an omission to assume that it is almost perfect. The biggest problems are the lack of encryption and a file size limit of 10 GB.

In addition, there is something to love. These are nice sharing features, fast sync (especially for Microsoft files), Office 365, OneNote and affordable prices. In addition, students and teachers with a valid school address can get Office 365 for free.

OneDrive is one of the kings of cloud storage, along with Dropbox and GoogleDrive. As privacy advocates, we recommend sticking to vendors with zero access to user data and passwords, but as a cloud service, OneDrive has improved significantly and is worth trying with a free 5 GB account.