Store your files in “the cloud” with Windows Live SkyDrive


Posted by Brandon LeBlanc on Thursday, August 09, 2007 9:56 AM 33 Comments
Today Microsoft is announcing the final product name for what was previously known as Windows Live Folders. Windows Live SkyDrive gets not only its final product name but also a few new features and enhanced UI reflecting changes coming across many of the Windows Live services including Windows Live Spaces.

So what's Windows Live SkyDrive? Windows Live SkyDrive is a brand new Windows Live service that gives users 500MB of web space for the storing and sharing of files. Think of it as a personal "harddrive" on the internet - or "the cloud". By default, you get several protected directories which you can store your files in. These directories are completed protected from the public. Only you can view them. However, Windows Live SkyDrive allows you create or choose specific folders to share with everyone (Public folders) or specific people on your Windows Live Contacts list. You can set specific permissions for those viewing your folders as well - such as someone who can contribute (add and remove files) or someone who is simply just a reader. Your Public folder allows ONLY reader permissions for the public in viewing files within the folder. No need to worry about people maxing out your account with files.

I put together a small demo outlining Windows Live SkyDrive and several of today's beta improvements with a few new features. Check it out:


Video: Demo: Windows Live SkyDrive

For those who've been using the beta of Windows Live SkyDrive, today's changes and updates include the new Windows Live UI (header), improved file upload, thumbnails in folder views, and a section for visited SkyDrive folders from other people.

Nick and I use Windows Live SkyDrive quite a bit in sharing files. With me being outside Portland and him of course in Redmond - Windows Live SkyDrive has enabled us to quickly access and share files while working on projects. It has been a tremendous help overcoming the distance.

Give Windows Live SkyDrive a spin and let me know what you think. I'll be setting up a Public folder for you all to check out with some photos while visiting Redmond.  

Screenshots:
   

AUG 09
 

Posted by soundwizard

Where can I sign up for the Canada waiting list?

Also where can I sign up for the Windows live photo gallery waiting list?

Thank-you,

Shawn
AUG 09
 

Posted by SSIS Junkie

I've spoken about Live Folders quite alot on here lately and some big news from that product team
AUG 09
 

Posted by Drazick

I've been waiting for weeks for an email from them...

Still waiting on the waiting list :-)
AUG 09
 

Posted by Espiox

Any plans to add some kind of presence on the Desktop? (for example, having your SkyDrive appear as a storage device under "Computer")
AUG 09
 

Posted by Josh's Windows Weblog

Today Microsoft announced the final naming for its "cloud" storage will be SkyDrive. I personally liked
AUG 09
 

Posted by Espiox

Okay, I've looking fairly thoroughly now. Where the heck is this Spaces Module that shows Public Folders?
AUG 09
 

Posted by Metagg

Find out what Social News Sites are discussing this post over at metagg.com
AUG 09
 

Posted by tino

Why "SkyDrive" and not only Windows Live Drive?? I dont get it. Why does Microsoft prefer long and complex names? WLD would be a simple abbreviation. Now WLSD sound like "Windows on LSD" and "WLS" is used for Spaces. Can someone please explain the naming?

Oh and does Windows Live SkyDrive has Windows pre-installed? The icon suggests that.
AUG 09
 

Posted by johnhood

Will SkyDrive become an online backup option within Windows Live OneCare?
AUG 09
 

Posted by Brandon LeBlanc

tino, I actually don't agree that the icon implies it has "Windows pre-installed" as its a web service with nothing to pre-install. Windows Live is a subset of Windows - software and services to make the Windows experience better. Sorry you think Windows Live SkyDrive is a too complex name. You can simply refer to it as SkyDrive as well.

Espiox, you should be able to find the SkyDrive module for Windows Live Spaces under Modules and "Featured Modules". Concerning your comment about a desktop solution for SkyDrive - its a great idea and I'm sure the team is looking at it :-)

johnhood, great idea. I'm not sure how soon we could expect something like that but its an interesting idea.

Can everyone see my Public folder all right?

- Brandon
AUG 09
 

Posted by Dare Obasanjo aka Carnage4Life

AUG 09
 

Posted by Read/WriteWeb

Today Microsoft announced Windows Live SkyDrive, the final product name for its online storage solution - previously known as Windows Live Folders. Windows Live SkyDrive has a few new features and enhanced UI, in line with upcoming changes across other..
AUG 09
 

Posted by tino

What does an icon tell that shows a hard drive with a Windows logo on it? Nothing about a service on the net IMHO. It's the same icon like the one for a hard drive that has Windows Vista installed. An integration into Windows Explorer would confuse customers.

The service is great but it should also have a better branding. But that is the same with all Windows Live services.
AUG 10
 

Posted by bkchung's WebLog

Windows Live SkyDrive Team Blog: Introducing Windows Live SkyDrive! 이전에 Windows Live Folders이었던 이름을 (아직
AUG 10
 

Posted by jb kechi

I can't use it n France. I'm a little sad because I like windows live services
AUG 10
 

Posted by Spencer

Very nice.  I have been using this for a bit and I'm quite impressed with the development.  Great job!
AUG 10
 

Posted by Nish Vamadevan

They should integrate all the Live Subscription service into one, including Hotmail Plus cos $45 is a bit too much for an average user...
AUG 10
 

Posted by Brandon LeBlanc

Nish, I'm affraid I don't follow you with what you're saying. I pay $19.95 for Hotmail Plus - where are you getting the $45? And how does it relate to SkyDrive?

- Brandon
AUG 10
 

Posted by Alber1690

I agree with Tino, the use of the icon that represents a hard drive with Vista installed can greate minor confusion.

But anyways, is there any news on PhotoStory for Windows Vista? Or is there already a version compatible with Vista?
AUG 10
 

Posted by OpsanBlog

AUG 11
 

Posted by The MAZZTer

*looks at photos* That's not too bad for a Hotmail ad campaign.  I wouldn't mind having a mailbox like that, and I've never used Hotmail (I'm a GMail guy myself).
AUG 11
 

Posted by Dragomir Tenev

SkyDrive is something great. I find it very useful.
AUG 11
 

Posted by nicholasr347

HI Brandon,

When will this be available for non-us residents? (eg Australia)

Nick
AUG 11
 

Posted by Coola

I'm liking the SkyDrive, great work team!  Any plans on allowing hotlinking? :)
AUG 11
 

Posted by johnhood

Hi Brandon,

Thanks for the positive feedback regarding my suggestion! :-)

Best,

John
AUG 11
 

Posted by Brandon LeBlanc

nicholasr347, the SkyDrive team is aware of the desire for use of SkyDrive in many different markets including Australia and is working to do so in the future. I don't have a timeline though. I know SkyDrive is available in the UK and India markets with the latest release. A workaround is to change your Windows Live ID to say you're in one of the supported markets.

Coola, what do you mean by "hotlinking"? I know it currently supports linking to specific files.

- Brandon
AUG 12
 

Posted by Blog do Anderson Thiago (aka Anderson T)

Mais um dos serviços que a Windows Live irá colocar no ar esta sendo testado. O Windows Live SkyDrive
AUG 13
 

Posted by Coola

Hey Brandon,

By hotlinking, I mean like allowing users to post images in Message Boards, or use the Online Storage to use in their Forum Signatures/Avatars.

I know it has an html embed code, but what about enabling the image to be put in between UBB code such as:  [img]skydrive url here [/img] so that users can post the images directly into their messages on Message Boards.

Kinda like Image Shack or Photobucket, which they allow a limit of bandwith to be posted on blogs/profiles etc.
AUG 14
 

Posted by bham4ever

Quite impressive and plenty of room and the icons on the desktop would be an awesome idea!
AUG 17
 

Posted by PGC

Nice work! I've messed around with it for a bit and I really like it.

My only gripe is 500mb. Come on I know you can do better than that. In today’s multimedia world that is not that much space.

That said, I do like it and thanks!
SEP 05
 

Posted by newscientist2000

Sounds like a great idea, I will definately check it out.  To think I was getting excited about Gmail upping the attachment size to 20mb.  500mb of space.. nice :-)
SEP 05
 

Posted by newscientist2000

Just checked it out by uploading some wmv home videos.  Hopefully my sister in the UK can view them soon.

Only bad thing is that Microsoft has already colaborated with yahoo users with Live Messenger, and Messenger can already view and send text messages to yahoo users.  Thats kinda made me spoilt, it would be nice to allow yahoo users to at least be allowed to be at least readers of folders, without having a hotmail account, i.e. using a yahoo account?

Yeah Microsoft should just buy yahoo or get closer to them, thats what Im suggesting.

Still great step in the right direction :-)  Microsofts web offerings are difinately getting better this year.
NOV 21
 

Posted by oxygenkiosk

Is there an option to have it as a virtual drive in explorer? like so...

http://cid-e5a360c3b1c64b89.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Public/drive.jpg
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