Microsoft offering free SkyDrive storage for new, existing users

Microsoft has announced their fully revamped SkyDrive cloud storage platform today, offering new users 7GB free space if they have never tried it.

Anyone who signed up for the beta of SkyDrive, which lacked many features and has been around for over three years, will still be able to get 25GB (as before), with the links provided at the end of this article. Maximum file size is now 2GB, up from 700MB, a welcome change.

The new update adds the bonus ability to create and edit Microsoft Office documents right in the Web interface on Windows or Macs. No app installation is required.

What's new:

SkyDrive for the Windows desktop (preview available now). View and manage your personal SkyDrive directly from Windows Explorer on Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista with this new preview app available in 106 languages worldwide.

Fetching files through SkyDrive.com. Easily access, browse, and stream files from a remote PC running the preview app to just about anywhere by simply fetching them via SkyDrive.com.

SkyDrive storage updates. A new, more flexible approach to personal cloud storage that allows power users to get additional paid storage as their needs grow.

SkyDrive for other devices. We've updated the SkyDrive apps on Windows Phone and iOS devices, bringing better management features and sharing options to those devices. We're also releasing a new preview client for Mac OS X Lion, letting you manage your SkyDrive right from the Finder.

More info here: Microsoft Blog

For new users, sign up here and get 7GB: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/skydrive/home

Existing users, get your 25GB here: https://skydrive.live.com/#!/ManageStorage?lu=1

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 23 Apr 2012 20:44

A5J4DX

hurrah!

23.4.2012 22:00 #1

hearme0

What they have clearly avoided stating is whether or not this 25GB is NOW SYNCABLE. I have had Skydrive since inception (I believe much longer than a year but could be wrong) and already had 25GB of online "cloud" storage but only 5 was syncable.

Please...........Microsoft.........clarify this. I'm guessing not but hoping so.

(3 minutes later.......)

Just confirmed........only 5 is still synced. That just F'ing sucks!

(15 minutes later......)

With "Skydrive app" installed on a Mac/PC.......it's basically synced so that's just DOPE!!!!!

23.4.2012 22:13 #2

KSib

Cool, but it's missing some features that Dropbox has.

1) Upload throttling
2) Right-click -> Get public link
3) A decent download speed. It has been syncing for a while now even after restarting the app

Maybe when they fix this stuff, I'll try it again.

24.4.2012 04:00 #3

KSib

Originally posted by lighttake: 2) Right-click -> Get public link
?? Was there something confusing about that? Does it have that feature and I missed it? Dropbox lets you right click a file in Windows Explorer and you can click "Copy public link", this copies a link to the clipboard that is a direct link to the dropbox file you uploaded. Super convenient. This only works though for files in your dropbox that are public, as it should be.

24.4.2012 05:58 #4

LordRuss

Originally posted by KSib: Originally posted by lighttake: 2) Right-click -> Get public link
?? Was there something confusing about that? Does it have that feature and I missed it? Dropbox lets you right click a file in Windows Explorer and you can click "Copy public link", this copies a link to the clipboard that is a direct link to the dropbox file you uploaded. Super convenient. This only works though for files in your dropbox that are public, as it should be. 1. Open your DropBox folder...
2. Search for your [Publicly] shared folder of choice...
3. 'Right' mouse click...
4. Scroll down to "Get Link"...
5. Paste your copied link into an email & send to whomever you wish to have the information.

Like KSib said, quite convenient.

I would also go as far as to say, seeing as this is a 'clod only' company & not a megalomania software giant, they probably don't have a mind frame eventually bent on searching through every single digital print that goes through your profile.

I'm not saying anyone would do anything even remotely illegal, but I have been doing editing for folks that want their stuff kept confidential. I wouldn't trust M$ to keep it that way.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

24.4.2012 13:27 #5

BuDD00

This is a great servive provided by Microsoft.

24.4.2012 14:28 #6

ThePastor

Do they have some problem with Android?
Call me a snob, but any company that goes with iOS and ignores Android is just being ridiculous.

"But the bigger point here is that UMG has effectively admitted this takedown was never about copyright. They demanded YouTube censor Megaupload and justify that by saying they have a contract which allows it so its fine. Its painfully clear what they would do with a law like SOPA that gives them much more power"

24.4.2012 15:11 #7

LordRuss

Originally posted by ThePastor: Do they have some problem with Android?
Call me a snob, but any company that goes with iOS and ignores Android is just being ridiculous. I have it on my Droid X & it seems to run ok on it. The above 'Get Link' scenario doesn't necessarily fit the bill, but for the PC usage it's fine.

From what I can tell there has been some problems with one of the Samsung (the Galaxy something) and one of the Nokias with relations to DropBox, but don't hold me to that as I'm thinking off the top of my head at the moment.

http://onlyinrussellsworld.blogspot.com

24.4.2012 16:47 #8

xaznboitx

I bet people going to abuse it and share their account so others can download copy right which is dumb since I'm sure MS and Apple going to get the Feds on the uploaders ass for sharing copyright stuff and that people can see their account info such as : Home Address, Phone Number , email, CC/Debit Card numbers etc..

25.4.2012 01:43 #9

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