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 Windows Live SkyDrive |
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
| Initial release | August 2007 |
| Stable release | Wave 3 (Build 15.1.1070.827) / 2008-12-2 |
| Type | Online file storage |
| Website | http://skydrive.live.com |
Windows Live SkyDrive (initially Windows Live Folders) is part of Microsoft's Windows Live range of online services. SkyDrive is a file storage and sharing service that allows users to upload files to the computing cloud, then access them from a web browser. It uses Windows Live ID to control access to the user's files, allowing them to keep the files private, share with contacts, or make the files public. Publicly-shared files do not require a Windows Live ID to access.
The service currently offers 25 GB of free personal storage, with individual files limited to 50 MB.[1] Optionally, an ActiveX-based tool can be installed to allow drag-and-drop uploading from Windows Explorer. Up to five files can be uploaded each time if the tool has not been installed. The third party free software "SkyDrive Explorer" can enable SkyDrive as an additional drive in windows systems.
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History
On its launch, Windows Live Folders (as it was then) was provided as a limited beta available to a few testers in the United States.[2] On August 1, 2007, the service was expanded to a wider audience. Shortly after, on August 9, 2007 the service was renamed Windows Live SkyDrive and made available to testers in the United Kingdom and India.[3] As of May 22, 2008, Windows Live SkyDrive is available to 62 countries and regions.[4][5]
In late 2008 the capacity of an individual SkyDrive account was upgraded from 5 GB to 25 GB.
Features
Windows Live Photos
Windows Live Photos is a part of SkyDrive that allows users to upload photos and let other users access them via a web browser. It displays the user's uploaded photos in albums (folders in SkyDrive). It provides the same basic functionality as SkyDrive such as the ability to move, copy and delete files and folders and uses SkyDrive's storage space.
Additionally, Windows Live Photos allows users to add "People tags" to their photos, integrating with Windows Live People. Stored photos can be downloaded into Windows Live Photo Gallery or as a ZIP file, while retaining the "People tags" metadata in the images. Users may also view the EXIF metadata such as camera information for the photos. Photos can be viewed in a full-screen slide show using Silverlight.
Office Web Apps
Office Web Apps is part of SkyDrive that allows users to upload, create, edit, and share Microsoft Office documents directly within a web browser. It includes light-weight versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, and provides functionalities for users to collaborate on the documents stored on SkyDrive.
Favorites sharing
SkyDrive integrates with Windows Live Toolbar to enable the sharing of bookmarked web links between users. Links to websites are stored in a folder within SkyDrive. This feature replaces the existing Windows Live Favorites.
In addition, Windows Live SkyDrive also integrates with Bing's Save & Share feature, allowing users to save search histories into a SkyDrive folder.
Windows Live Groups integration
Each group within Windows Live Groups are provided with 25GB of storage spaces on SkyDrive to be shared between the group members. Group members are allowed to access, create, modify and delete files within the group's SkyDrive folders, as well as other functionalities that SkyDrive provides.
RSS feeds
It is possible to subscribe to RSS feeds of the content of public folders. The feeds contain preview images of the added files — either a thumbnail of an image or an icon representing the file type — and links to the file download pages.
Download as .zip file
Entire directories can be downloaded as a single .zip file with this feature. This feature is found in the "More" dropdown menu.
See also
- List of online backup services
- Windows Live Sync (formerly Foldershare)
- Windows Live
References
External links
- Windows Live SkyDrive
- Official Windows Live team blog
- Old Windows Live SkyDrive team blog
- Old Windows Live Folders team blog
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