6 useful tips to get the most out of Microsoft SkyDrive

6 useful tips to get the most out of Microsoft SkyDrive

By   16:49   No comments:

Microsoft's SkyDrive isn't a new service. It existed long before cloud backup was made sexy by the new kids on the block. Of course, it wasn't the SkyDrive then that you see today. It was only recently that it received a major overhaul, and was integrated deeply into Windows 8 making it more important than ever for the everyday Windows user.

1. Selective sync

It is likely that you have installed SkyDrive on multiple devices. That means you can have it sync all the data from the cloud to all those devices. But you probably don't need all that data in all those devices. SkyDrive lets you choose specific folders for each device.

2. Add to Send to menu

Although I don't usually use the 'Send to' option in the right-click menu in Windows, there are people who can't do without it. You could add SkyDrive to this menu for quickly sending files and folders from different locations to the SkyDrive folder. There are many ways to make this happen, but the easiest one is using the SendtoSendto tool to get it done.

3. Move your Desktop to SkyDrive

Many of us tend to save our everyday work files on our desktops. Moving the Desktop to SkyDrive would be a good idea because that'd ensure easy accessibility of these files on other devices, and a backup too. All you need to do is navigate to your user folder in Windows, find the one named 'Desktop' there, right-click on it, go to properties and change the location to SkyDrive. Simple.

4. Integrate with Gmail

Gmail recently integrated Google Drive for email attachments and that was pretty cool. SkyDrive users need not feel left out because they can get the same feature through a third-party tool called Attachments.me. Not only it lets you email big files but you can also send the attachments from your incoming emails directly to SkyDrive.

5. Sync any folder without changing its location

Want to add folders to SkyDrive without actually moving them to SkyDrive? How about a 'Sync to SkyDrive' option in the right-click menu? If that sounds tempting, you should try out SkyShellEx.

6. Auto save MS Office files to SkyDrive

Office 2013 integrates with SkyDrive by default and your documents get saved in your SkyDrive account automatically (you could change that of course). It makes a lot of sense. Your docs get backed up and the online version - Office Web Apps - is pretty good, which means you can easily continue work on your Office documents online on some other device. But not everyone has Office 2013.. not yet​

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Get 25GB Free Space On SkyDrive

Get 25GB Free Space On SkyDrive

By   22:07   No comments:

While we are waiting for Google to officially launch its cloud storage service Drive, Microsoft has announced the revamp of its cloud service - SkyDrive. Company has introduced new SkyDrive applications for Windows and Mac, which will join the already existing Windows Phone, and iOS apps.

Company has also revealed new paid storage options for the SkyDrive users; however it has decreased the space in free service from 25GB to 7GB. But this post is just to let you know how to get your free 25 GB of space on SkyDrive

The paid plans of +20GB, +50GB, and +100GB can be added at $10/year, $25/year, $50/year respectively. The existing users will still be able to enjoy free 25 GB of SkyDrive space.

Well, think about all of the different devices you use every day. Wouldn't it be nice if your files came with you, whether you're on your phone, Mac, or PC?

When you use SkyDrive, you'll never be without the documents, notes, photos, and videos that matter to you. Store anything on your SkyDrive and it's automatically available from your trusted devices—no syncing or cables needed. Get SkyDrive

In the following article let us see how to get Free 25GB free space on SkyDrive. Well, Existing users need to know that their storage is automatically reduced from the previously available 25 Gigabyte to 7 Gigabyte if they have not used more than 4 Gigabyte of SkyDrive storage.

So, if you are currently using more then the 7gb storage, you don’t have to worry because you will get the full 25gb space automatically. But for a for a limited time, any registered SkyDrive user as of April 22nd can opt in to keep 25GB of free storage while still getting all of the benefits of the new service.

If you are a SkyDrive user and you currently don’t have more than 4gb data already stored then by default you will get ( Or you can say Reduced to ) only 7gb of space. You can follow the simple trick to get back your 25gb storage space for free of cost.

First go to SkyDrive’s Website and login with your live account. After the login is complete, the first thing you will notice that on the right sidebar, your available space has been reduced to 7gb from your previous 25gb. But at the same time you will also see a banner at the top saying “ SkyDrive’s Free storage is changing – Claim your free 25gb” . You have to click on that banner. If for any reason, that banner is unavailable then you can go to this “SkyDrive’s Manage Storage Page”.

In that page you will see the storage plans and a free upgrade offer. Just click on the “Free upgrade” button to upgrade your storage space from 7 GB 25 GB.

Within a few second, after clicking the “Free Upgrade” button, you will se a confirmation message saying that your account has been upgraded and now you have 25gb of storage.

You can confirm this by looking at your available storage space indicator bar. By now, you should have a total of 25gb storage space. The process is in fact very simple but remember that this free upgrade offer is not going to last forever so you should should complete the process as soon as possible to benefit from the free storage.

Top features of SkyDrive:

Access files across PC or Mac: With SkyDrive installed on all your computers, you'll have automatic access to the latest version of your files wherever you are.

Simple sharing with anyone: Share even large files and photos with your friends. All they need is a web browser—no worrying about attachment limits or what software they have.

Mobile access: Photos and files in the SkyDrive folder on your PC are automatically available on your phone. Get the app or just use the phone's browser.

You can Get SkyDrive Here.

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SkyDrive app Available For Windows Phone and iPhone

SkyDrive app Available For Windows Phone and iPhone

By   16:58   No comments:

Microsoft announced the availability of a new SkyDrive app for Windows Phone and iPhone. The SkyDrive application follows a recent overhaul of Microsoft’s SkyDrive cloud storage service. Microsoft introduced HTML5 upload, improved sharing and drag and drop functionality in its SkyDrive web app last month.

The applications are identical in features and provide access to SkyDrive folders. Windows Phone and iPhone users can browse their SkyDrive folders, share links to folders or files, delete files and create folders from within the application. Photos can also be uploaded to SkyDrive from the apps with their original resolution.

Microsoft’s approach follows a number of iOS applications, including Bing, Messenger, OneNote and Xbox LIVE.

The software giant is clearly broadening its array of applications to rival platforms whilst keeping Windows Phone customers happy. We managed to secure an early hands on with the Windows Phone version (see video below) and it’s clear that the app is designed to be a companion to Windows Phone. Word, Excel and other Office documents will open natively from the SkyDrive app into the Office hub of Windows Phone.

 

One of the best features is being able to store full resolution images from a Windows Phone camera straight into SkyDrive, this functionality is included by default but the image is scaled down.

SkyDrive app Available For Windows Phone and iPhone

SkyDrive application highlights include:

• Browse entire SkyDrive – Users can now see all folders and files (of all types) to allow them to share and manage their data.
• Share any SkyDrive folder or file – Users can now pick folders or files to share from their mobile. The apps provide a link directly to the content.
• Manage SkyDrive content – Users can now organize files and folders and create new folders or delete files and folders.
  

The latest SkyDrive mobile application is available in every country and region where Windows Phone is offered. Also the iPhone version is available in 32 languages.

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6 Things You Can Expect From Windows 8

6 Things You Can Expect From Windows 8

By   15:35   No comments:

Leaks about Windows 8 details say Microsoft is planning a 128 bit operating system for 2012. Read more: Windows 8 To Support 128 Bit Architecture. What Does Microsoft have up its sleeve for Windows 8? Details are scant, but cell phones, tablets, the cloud, and even gaming appear to be figuring strongly into Microsoft's thinking for its next operating system.

Microsoft seems to be mixing the best of many of its products and services into one streamlined computing experience called Windows 8.

Here are some things about Windows 8 from the Web that hint at what we might see in the final release.

1 The UI: One small, but telling, change to Windows 8’s user interface cribs a page from Windows Phone 7’s playbook. Win 8’s welcome/lock screen has the same interface as Microsoft's Smartphone OS.

2 The Office Ribbon Returns: The context-aware Ribbon, which made a mess of Microsoft's office suite, will replace the drop-down menus and toolbar in Windows 8’s explorer windows, making many more of Windows’ hidden features visibly discoverable. and the Ribbon’s big buttons simply beg to be touched—perfect for a touch screen Windows 8 tablet.

3. The Cloud: A closer look at the explorer Ribbon shows two placeholder buttons, sync and Web sharing. Microsoft has been angling to push a lot of its services into the cloud, and that cloud functionality might be digging deeper into the core os. the sync button may work like Windows live mesh, which syncs program settings across PCs and enables offline connectivity.

Web sharing may use Windows live SkyDrive, a cloud storage and sharing feature that hands out 25gB for free, integrates with office, and works just like Drop box.

4 Xbox integration: The possibilities of kinect plus Windows 8 are limitless, but we know that Microsoft plans on using proximity detection and facial recognition to start up and unlock PCs. the company also apparently intends to meld the Xbox 360 and Xbox live to the in - ternet as a whole, especially for social gaming. such use of kinect technology to interact with online buddies, play PC games, and perhaps do much more could be the future of platform integration.

5 128 bits of power: Windows 8 will employ 128-bit architecture, which would represent the next leap in computer performance.

6 Tablet hardware: Ditching the x86 platform, Microsoft has confirmed that Windows
8 will operate on the aRm microchip architecture— the same tech that powers most of the world’s Smartphone's and tablets.

Microsoft has gotten serious about a tablet, and wants to power it with the forthcoming Windows 8. I have beta tested windows vista and windows 7. Here is something if any of you would like to know when the next windows version will be out for testing and if you would like to be included in the testing

Read more: http://www.bench3.com/2011/01/register-yourself-to-test-windows-8.html

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Synchronise Google Docs And Microsoft Office

Synchronise Google Docs And Microsoft Office

By   21:06   No comments:

Google has simplified the technology for normal people using computer for common tasks. Google Docs & Spreadsheets has collaborated word processing, spreadsheets and presentations for quick use. Google Docs lets us easily view and edit your Office documents using the browser itself.

There are several advantages for which you must consider Google Docs and Spreadsheets:

• 1) Online Availability:
• 2.) Less Spacial:
• 3.) 99.99% Data Availability:
• 4.) Share Your Work:
• 5.) Its Free:

On the other side, Microsoft Office offers excellent tools for you to create and edit documents, presentations and spreadsheets in an offline environment.

This comes handy when you aren’t carrying your laptop computer (that has all the documents) or are using a device that doesn’t have Microsoft Office (like your mobile phone).

One tool is good for creating documents while the other helps you access documents on the go and thus it makes good sense to use both these tools together.

Integrating Microsoft Office with Google Docs:

An idle workflow would be that you create your document in Microsoft Office and it instantly becomes available in Google Docs (and vice-versa). Also, if you make any edits in the cloud, they should sync with the copy on the desktop.

Now there are quite a few tools that let you integrate Microsoft Office with Google Docs though, because of certain limitations in the Google Docs API, two-way synchronization between the two Office products is still far from perfect. And according to Amit Agarwal, the founder of Digital Inspiration, here are some tools worth a try:

1. Google Cloud Connect

2. Offisync

3. Syncplicity

4. Gladinet Starter

5. Insync

Final thoughts - If you can live with that ugly-looking toolbar, Google Cloud Connect is neat because it saves Office documents to Google Docs in their native format. However, if you also need access to your old Google Docs files from within Microsoft Office, Offisync or Gladinet Cloud Desktop are good choices.

When you save a document created in Microsoft Office to Google Docs, the original formatting is less likely to be preserved. That’s one area where the Office Web Apps and SkyDrive duo seems to enjoy an upper hand.

With Windows Live SkyDrive, you can create, view, edit, and share Microsoft Office docs saved in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for free online.

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