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

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:
   

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Comments

  1. soundwizard
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 1:59PM  

    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

  2. Drazick
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 2:21PM  

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

    Still waiting on the waiting list :-)

  3. Espiox
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 2:30PM  

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

  4. Espiox
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 5:25PM  

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

  5. tino
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 5:50PM  

    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.

  6. johnhood
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 5:54PM  

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

  7. Brandon LeBlanc
    Microsoft
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 6:32PM  

    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

  8. tino
    Posted on: August 09, 2007 at 10:31PM  

    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.

  9. jb kechi
    Posted on: August 10, 2007 at 3:34AM  

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

  10. Spencer
    Posted on: August 10, 2007 at 11:04AM  

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

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Trackbacks

  1. Posted by: SSIS Junkie on August 09, 2007 at 2:00PM

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

  2. Posted by: Josh's Windows Weblog on August 09, 2007 at 2:32PM

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

  3. Posted by: Metagg on August 09, 2007 at 5:44PM

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

  4. Posted by: Dare Obasanjo aka Carnage4Life on August 09, 2007 at 7:10PM
  5. Posted by: Read/WriteWeb on August 09, 2007 at 8:54PM

    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..

  6. Posted by: bkchung's WebLog on August 10, 2007 at 2:23AM

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

  7. Posted by: OpsanBlog on August 10, 2007 at 6:27PM
  8. Posted by: Blog do Anderson Thiago (aka Anderson T) on August 12, 2007 at 11:13AM

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

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