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Windows Live Skydrive

Free Online File Storage

Published 01/30/2012 and rated

5 out of 5 stars by AppAppeal Editor

25 comments for this app

What can you use the app for?

Windows Live Skydrive is an online file hosting service. It allows its users to store content, collaborate on and share files. Skydrive accounts can be accessed from anywhere, including one's mobile device. Any type of file can be stored in private, public, or shared folders. Publicly shared files do not require a Windows Live login in order to be accessed.

Skydrive offers a VERY generous amount of online storage for free- 25 GB. Individual files are limited to 100 MB. Users can also create new Microsoft documents since Skydrive links to the web app versions of Word, Excel and Powerpoint. SkyDrive is developed using HTML5, so files can be uploaded via simple and intuitive drag and drop functions.

What is the history and popularity of the app?

Window's SkyDrive, previously called Windows Live Folders, is a Microsoft product introduced in August 2007. SkyDrive is a reliable and stable service offering online file storage. As of 2008 Windows Live SkyDrive was available in 62 countries. In 2008, Microsoft increased the capacity of an individual SkyDrive account from 5 GB to 25 GB.

In 2011, Microsoft released a SkyDrive app for iOS and Windows Mobile. These apps are available in the App Store and Windows Phone Marketplace respectively.

Alternative Apps

All Storage Apps

What are the differences to other apps?

Skydrive's main differentiators are that it offers a free 25 GB storage product and is developed by computing giant Microsoft. In addition, it offers private, public and shared files for its users. It integrates seamlessly with Hotmail, Office Web Apps and Office Desktop versions, making this a must-have for any Microsoft user.

How does the web app look and feel to use?

In true Microsoft fashion, Skydrive is simple and straightforward in its appearance. It is an extremely responsive and speedy web app that is easy to use and useful. For any PC user, Skydrive will require zero learning curve. Icons are mapped and identical to any other Microsoft environment.

How does the registration process work?

Users require a Windows Live ID to login to Skydrive. Live ID's provide users access to SkyDrive, Hotmail, Messenger, XBox Live and other Microsoft products. Registering for a live ID is free and requires just a username and email address. Once a user has that they can access Skydrive.

What does it cost to use the application?

SkyDrive provides 25 GB of online storage for free. To compete with Google Docs and keep an edge with the Microsoft suite of office products, Microsoft should only maintain this offering. There are no plans to charge for it later on.

Who would you recommend the application to?

Skydrive is a highly recommended tool for anyone who has files they want to share or store. Skydrive's integration with Microsoft Office Web Apps also makes this tool extremely useful and valuable. It offers a relatively large storage capacity of 25 GB (FOR FREE!) and it offers integration with the web app versions of the Microsoft Office suite.
Best of all, it is free. Did we mention 25 GB for free?? Microsoft's generous allowance makes this app 5-stars!

Windows Live Skydrive Features

Office Web Apps- Allows for editing Microsoft Office files directly in a web browser
Office Desktop App Integration- allows for using online and desktop versions simultaneously
Integration with Hotmail
Ingreation with Bing
Allows files to download to .zip file
It uses RSS ( Really Simple Syndication) technology

Windows Live Skydrive video

25 comments for this app

25 comments, showing 1 - 25 (newest first)

Jamezz
on 26 Apr 2012 at 06:29

(Rated 4 out of 5 stars)

You can upload up to 300 mb files

MrMojo
on 25 Apr 2012 at 17:03

(Rated 4 out of 5 stars)

It's not meant to be a Permanent depository for files but a temporary one. For permanent storage, people should get an external hard drive to backup their files! MS Live users get 7Gb but if you had your account for a long time (i.e. have older, existing hotmail account), then you qualify for an FREE upgrade (temporary offer as of today when I checked) from 7Gb to 25GB of online storage :) The article here states that individual file [downloads/uploads] are limited to 100mb file size limit, though I've read other online articles state a 50mb file size limit. I haven't tested the file size limit yet since I wouldn't upload large files anyway but may use the storage site just to backup smaller files like pictures or documents not media files. I hope MS truly securely encrypts the files in its SkyDrive service due to privacy concerns in case I have to backup up files with sensitive information, even temporarily. There's even an app for the Android phones and iPhone so that's convenient. Now Dropbox and Google Drive has some competition. Google Drive is the closest competitor that offers similar free storage while Dropbox offers the paltriest free storage amount. Currently, though, you have to be wait listed to get Google Drive as I'm still waiting for it as of today.

Christine
on 15 Mar 2012 at 22:20

Annyone know how I can block content from being downloaded from a shared folder on Skydrive? I want view only. No download or copy. Is that possible?

JackE
on 02 Mar 2012 at 20:53

I can also upload encrypted files with no problems - Google Docs does not allow it lately. Any body checked that?

Roger
on 08 Feb 2012 at 19:01

malcom haines works in microsoft, why do u think player like 5GB Drop box win over '25GB free Skydrive? its fricking so bleedy complex... I have to understand the world of Microsoft to use any of their app.. even their free app!! they have something called Mesh as well! MS is a complex nerdy organization!

J. Willis
on 10 Jan 2012 at 09:50

How does a person delete Skydrive from their system if they have un intentionally / accidentally got it on their system please? From a non computer buff.

malcolm haines
on 26 Dec 2011 at 23:18

(Rated 5 out of 5 stars)

great way to store files such as reviews or beta versions without clogging up drive space

cleo gascon
on 29 Nov 2011 at 23:46

just can't get in to skydrive i try everything just can't get in

Rassputin
on 20 Oct 2011 at 05:18

I have a tera=byte on my computer, why would I need Pie-in-the-sky-drive. If I want to share something with anyone I will email it. Sky drive wants to suck you in to storing 5 gigs + so they can charge you a fee. If programs like this keep up we will have absoulutely no privacy. We will be forced to share things we do not want to.

Annoyed...
on 23 Sep 2011 at 05:23

yep doesn't save my docs so... might as well be 0gb

Tom G.
on 10 Jul 2011 at 01:36

JEDnote.com provides unlimited space, unlimited file life, and unlimited bandwidth

stephanie rudolph
on 10 Jun 2011 at 23:42

can someone explain why I cannot receive a sent folder with the link to myself as a "test". Skydrive tells me that I shared the link successfully but I never receive the email with the link. I am a contact in the address book. Crazy.

supadupa
on 16 May 2011 at 15:11

so what I am saying here is that I have a perfectly synced S drive on any Windows 7 machine I own and any computer with web access. Sound like a fanboy but I am not. I hate many things about microsoft. But the "Live" initiative in my opinion, they got right, because they watched the others who came first. The "sharing" aspect of skydrive again is only seemless if they have windows 7 and live. I don't use sky drive for sharing, just personal cloud.

supadupa
on 16 May 2011 at 15:05

May 2011, Bull pucky alert! I copy nested folders of photos to my S drive all the time. I have no problems with sky drive and live mesh. If you want to map a drive letter (integrate into explorer) use this command subst S: c:\users\yourname\documents\sky Then rename the drive "sky" by right clicking now you have an active sync S drive that automaticlly shoots up the pipe whenever ou put a file in it. (sweet if you ask me and I own a pogoplug myself) I create and remove folders and they are immediately updated. THE ONE CAVEOT? Buy windows 7 for Live to work right.

Arthur Yaxley
on 16 May 2011 at 02:40

Skydrive has proved to be a total annoyance ever since I was stupid enough to accept the offer. Most places that I try to send photos too seem unable to upload them (Even big advertising firms) and become agro because they arrive via Hotmail. I use Windows Live Mail so why should they be sent by Hotmail. I would like answers and in particular just how I can rid myself of this system without losing my photos?

Deldrin
on 07 Apr 2011 at 18:56

@Mike - Use Gladinet (google it) like the first commenter suggested. Or See if the Skydrive sync will work for you. @Smart Guy - if you are serious, then you failed to understand his question due to your incompetence, sorry. Skydrive won't do what he's asking without 3rd party help. If you are not serious, stop being a troll.

Smart Guy
on 25 Mar 2011 at 10:25

But, you can make folders smart one. Therefore your problem is your own imcompetence, sorry. - the Smart Guy

Mike
on 14 Jan 2011 at 08:59

I have read alot of reviews about Skydrive but most of them seem to miss a major drawback to using this software - you can not transfer folders! only files. So if you want to back up your collection of photos and have lots of folders, it is a nightmare to transfer them to Skydrive. Not worth the hassle!!!

joe
on 30 Dec 2010 at 21:15

Is it safe to put your files online with windows live? Is it as safe or safer than if you were to use google? Thanks, joe

Anonymous
on 12 Mar 2010 at 13:43

What about bandwidth? Is there a monthly bandwidth allowance? Thanks for any information.................................

Anonymous
on 30 Jan 2009 at 01:54