Microsoft SkyDrive, isn't a new service, previously Windows Live SkyDrive and Windows Live Folders, is a file hosting service that allows users to upload and sync files to a cloud storage and then access them from a Web browser or their local device. Microsoft has its own version, SkyDrive with many recently improved features for a better cloud experience.
Similar to
Google Drive and Gmail, SkyDrive works with a Microsoft account. You can register for the service with any email, or login using an existing MSN or Hotmail account. With SkyDrive, you get 7 GB of free storage in the cloud to store your files and photos, sync across all your computers, and even edit and collaborate on Office documents. You can access the latest version of your files from any computer or phone—no cables or USB flash drive necessary.
User can Share photos and files through email, by sending a short link in a text message, or by posting them to a social network, your website or blog right from SkyDrive. There's also a desktop app for SkyDrive that creates a folder on your PC or Mac that syncs with your cloud folder and lets you access files on your PC remotely. Here see the
5 Useful Tips of Microsoft's Cloud Drive Services.
1. Move your Desktop to SkyDrive
Many of us tend to save our everyday work files on our desktops. Moving the Desktop to SkyDrive would be a good idea because that'd ensure easy accessibility of these files on other devices, and a backup too. All you need to do is navigate to your user folder in Windows, find the one named 'Desktop' there, right-click on it, go to properties and change the location to SkyDrive. Simple.
2. Edit Skydrive File/Folder Sharing Permissions
SkyDrive offers sharing just like other cloud storage services. However, when generating a link to share files via SkyDrive, you have the option to control whether the files has "View only", "View and edit" or "Public" access.
3. Fetch Photos from another device
For those of you already using Windows 8 Release Preview, you can quickly “fetch” a photo from another PC, right in the Photos app. The ability to fetch a photo is enabled the same way as fetching a file from SkyDrive.com. All you need is the SkyDrive app installed on the PC you want to fetch photos from and an internet connection. The Photos app in Windows 8 Release Preview will automatically populate the PCs you have enabled fetch for, so you can easily begin browsing the photos on all those devices.
4. Integrate with Gmail
Gmail recently integrated Google Drive for email attachments and that was pretty cool. SkyDrive users need not feel left out because they can get the same feature through a third-party tool called Attachments.me. Not only it lets you email big files but you can also send the attachments from your incoming emails directly to SkyDrive.
5. Enable Commenting on Shared Files
While traditional file-sharing services give you only a link for the other person to download, on SkyDrive you can allow users with access to your shared files to comment on them. Users who comment on your files will have their Microsoft profile picture displayed alongside their comments (ala Facebook style) and by changing a few privacy settings, you can choose to allow commenting to just some or all your Messenger friends, and their friends, or even Everyone.
