Microsoft just pulled the curtain back on the shiny, new version of OneDrive. And guess what? It’s designed to gel even more seamlessly with the rest of Microsoft’s star-studded lineup, including those Microsoft 365 favorites like Teams and Outlook.
Microsoft is dubbing this revamp as “the future of file management.” And, oh boy, the Copilot-branded AI tools are stepping into the spotlight across the entire platform. Fancy, right?
Considering the mind-boggling trillions of files already chilling on OneDrive, Microsoft’s game plan is clear: make life a tad easier for all of us, whether we’re hustling at work or just sharing that hilarious cat meme with friends. So, gear up for a smoother, smarter file-sharing experience!
OneDrive is getting a fresh coat of paint after what feels like eons. This revamp is all about making it vibe with the rest of Microsoft’s family, showcasing a snazzier and clearer user interface.
While there are some nifty layout changes, the core OneDrive experience remains your old pal. You’ll still see familiar signposts like Home, For You, and Shared. But here’s where it gets exciting: ever remembered who shared a file with you but drew a blank on its name? The new People view has got your back. And for those who live in meetings (virtual high-five?), the Meetings view is your new hub for all those recordings and attachments.
Microsoft’s also trimmed down the number of clicks needed to share files. We’ve all felt that click-fatigue, especially as cloud platforms kept adding more sharing options. But that’s old news now!
And the fun doesn’t stop there. Soon, you’ll be able to jump directly into a wider range of apps, not just the usual Microsoft 365 suspects. Plus, OneDrive’s getting even cozier with Teams and Outlook, where most of us end up sharing files anyway.
Now, here’s the cherry on top: thanks to some AI magic sprinkled system-wide, you can now “ask open-ended questions related to an individual file or get a summary of the content” across both OneDrive and SharePoint. And yes, there’s a treasure trove of other Copilot-branded tools waiting in the wings.
New OneDrive features at a glance
The revamped OneDrive effortlessly brings all your created and shared files right to your fingertips.
With the features listed below, now available in OneDrive:
- OneDrive Home: The home experience on OneDrive for Web has been spruced up, ensuring you can quickly access your files, no matter their location within your organization.
- For you: Positioned at the pinnacle of the OneDrive home page, this section uses AI wizardry to offer timely file recommendations, ensuring you always have essential files within easy reach.
- Meetings view: This feature displays both upcoming and past meetings, complete with meeting recordings and shared files. Whether shared via chat or within the meeting invite, you’ll find everything neatly organized here.
- People view: Can’t recall a file’s name but remember the sharer? No worries! This view sorts your files based on your collaborators, making file retrieval a breeze.
- Shared view: This is your one-stop hub for all files shared with you, irrespective of the sharing method or the sharer. It’s the perfect spot to revisit collaborative files.
- Colorful folders: Add a personal touch by customizing your folder colors, ensuring organization is both efficient and fun.
- Favorites: Never lose track of crucial files again. Mark any file as a favorite, and it’ll be readily accessible from your Favorites list across platforms like OneDrive, Teams, File Explorer, Microsoft 365 apps, and beyond.
- Shortcuts: Need quick access to shared files or those in team locations? Create a shortcut in your OneDrive. It’s the perfect way to consolidate files for projects, no matter where they originally reside.
- Simplified sharing: Sharing’s never been this easy! With a more intuitive design and fewer clicks, sharing files and copying links is a breeze.
