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We answer: What is OneDrive in Windows 10 and how to use it?

6 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Over the last few years, we saw a massive expansion and development of cloud storage services.Cloud servicesare great if you need to back up your data and collaborate with others, and sinceOneDriveis integrated withWindows 10, we decided to make make this guide and teach you a thing or two about it.

OneDrivewas first introduced asSkyDrivein August 2007, and it went through some massive changes over the years. In 2011 Microsoft did an overhaul ofSkyDriveand rebuilt its web version by using the latest HTML5 technologies. The revamped version ofSkyDriveoffered new features such as caching, HTML5 video and improved visual design. In February 2014, due to a lost lawsuit, Microsoft had to rebrandSkyDriveasOneDrive.

Here’s all you need to know about OneDrive on Windows 10

In addition to its name,OneDrivealso changed the amount of free space that it offers to users. According to Microsoft, free users were abusing theOneDriveservice by backing up movie collections and thereforeOneDrive storage space was reduced to 5GBforfree users. Of course, you can still increaseOneDrive storage from 5GB to 15GBby referring your friends. In addition, you can also expand your storage by selecting a package and paying a monthly fee.

OneDrive pricing

OneDrive access

To accessOneDriveon your PC, you need to do the following:

After you log in with your Microsoft Account,OneDrivewill be enabled on your PC.OneDrivewill offer you to sync your Documents folder, and you can choose to Sync all files and folders or to sync only specific folders.

OneDrive collaboration features

OneDrive is designed as a collaboration tool for wide range of platforms, and you can accessOneDrivefrom your Mac computer, Xbox console, Android device, Windows Phone or iPhone, as long as you have the required app.

OneDriveallows you to simultaneously edit documents with other users. This is a great feature if you are working on a specific project with your colleague or classmate since both of you can make changes in real time.

OneDriveallows you to save documents right to it directly from any Office tool, but you can also visitOneDrivewebsite and edit any of your documents or notes by using Microsoft Office Online. Even if you don’t use any of the Office tools, you can create Office documents right from theOneDrivesimply by clicking the New button and choosing what type of document you wish to create.

Regarding file upload, you can upload any file toOneDrive, simply by dragging and dropping in to theOneDriveweb application. You can also use the Upload menu to select files and folders manually from your PC.

If you prefer, you can also upload and edit files on your PC and they will be automatically synced and added toOneDrive. To do that, simply accessOneDrivefolder on your PC, and create new files or folders in it to add them toOneDrive. Since your files are in sync, you can simply make changes fromOneDriveweb app and your files inOneDrivefolder on your PC will be automatically changed and vice versa.

OneDrive for business

Sharing is also rather straightforward inOneDrive, and in order to share a file or folder, you just need to do the following:

In addition to sharing, there’s also an option available to embed your documents on a web page, but if you choose to use this option bear in mind that everybody will be able to view your embedded documents.

OneDrive photos

OneDriveis one of the best cloud services, and it can be great if you want to collaborate with others, or if you simply want to store your files online for backup. Now that you know howOneDriveworks onWindows 10, make sure you give it a try.

If you experience any issues at all, check out the following guides. We’d love to hear about your experience withOneDrive, so feel free to leave us a comment below.

OneDrive sync issues

How to turn off OneDrive

One of the FAQ is: can I removeOneDrivefrom my computer?

The short answer will be: no, but there’s a workaround. You can’t uninstall it like an app becauseOneDriveis built intoWindows 10. However, you can hide it and stop syncingOneDrivefiles to your PC.

Follow these guides to Turn off, disable, or unsyncOneDriveon your device:

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We answer: What is OneDrive in Windows 10 and how to use it?#

Here’s all you need to know about OneDrive on Windows 10#

OneDrive pricing#

OneDrive access#

OneDrive account and login#

OneDrive collaboration features#

OneDrive for business#

OneDrive photos#

OneDrive sync issues#

How to turn off OneDrive#