Microsoft has made available for download, a new desktop client SkyDrive for the Windows. This desktop client will allow you to manage your SkyDrive, right from your Windows desktop. The benefit of SkyDrive integration with Windows is that you will now be able to drag-and-drop to and from SkyDrive with files up to 2GB and access all of your files offline, and have the full power of Windows Explorer available to manage your SkyDrive files and folders.
To begin with, download SkyDrive for Windows from the link given at the end of this post and click on the downloaded file to install it.
After the installation is over, you will be required to sign in to your SkyDrive account with your Windows Live ID.
Once you have done that, you will be ‘introduced’ to your SkyDrive folder in your Windows explorer and its location mentioned. By default, the location is C:\Users\username\SkyDrive but you can of course change its location, if you wish.
You also have the option to make the files on this PC available to you from your other devices.
The SkyDrive icon will sit smartly in the notification area and give you quick access to useful functions.
Upgrade SkyDrive account to 25GB Storage Free
We recommend that you right-click on it and select Manage Storage to visit its web interface and get your FREE UPGRADE from 7 GB to 25 GB right away. There are also other paid plans available – but 25GB is yours to grab, free!
Once you have clicked on the Free Upgrade button, you will be informed about your account upgrade.
The main features now being offered include:
- 7GB free for all new SkyDrive users – but upgradable to 25GB FREE. With this release of SkyDrive, free storage limit is changing to 7 GB. But as a Limited Time Loyalty Offer, existing SkyDrive users who already have SkyDrive account, can still get their 25 GB they currently have. This is a Limited time offer and being offered only to early loyal adopters. Those SkyDrive users who were using ~4GB before the latest update, have been automatically upgraded to 25GB. Starting today, for a limited time, any registered SkyDrive user who has uploaded files to SkyDrive as of April 22nd can opt in to keep 25GB of free storage while still getting all of the benefits of the new service. (For users who are already using more than 4GB as of April 1, we’ve automatically opted you in to 25GB of free storage to avoid any issues). Even existing Users who have not made any use of their SkyDrive, i.e. not uploaded anything, will not get the free 25 GB upgrade offer.
- Ability to upload large files – up to 2GB – and folders using SkyDrive for the Windows desktop
- Paid storage plans as follows: US$10/year for +20GB, US$25/year for +50GB and US$50/year for +100GB.
Microsoft has probably made these upgrades, keeping in mind the soon-to-be-launched Google Drive. Moreover it the last few months it has introduced several cool new features in SkyDrive. and also launched a SkyDrive app for Windows Phone and iPhone - making it a great service to use. So if you are not yet using SkyDrive, I’d urge to check out SkyDrive now and upgrade your account to 25GB right away for free! You can also learn more about SkyDrive Pro here.
Download link: SkyDrive for Windows | Details.
Works on Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
This post on Microsoft SkyDrive Privacy Policy and Settings may also interest you. Go here if you want to see the comparison SkyDrive vs Apple iCloud vs Google vs Dropbox.
UPDATE: Google Drive has been launched and you can read all about it at The Geeks Club. Read about Google Drive features here and also on The Geeks Club.
