Microsoft is finally making one of Windows 10’s most unloved features actually useful

(Image credit: microsoft)

One of Windows 10’s most unloved features – OneDrive – could finally become useful thanks to new tweaks by Microsoft.

Microsoft has been trying to strongarm Windows 10 users into using its OneDrive cloud storage service for years now, with the service now tightly integrated into the operating system, yet its limitations meant that most people either ignored it, or stuck with its competitors like Google Drive or DropBox.

However, in a new blog post, the company explains some of the much-needed changes it’s bringing to OneDrive, focusing on four areas of improvement, making it more connected, more flexible, more control, and more personal.

More connected

When it comes to making OneDrive more connected, Microsoft is adding Teams integration. Now, this won’t be the most exciting addition, but it means business users who use Microsoft’s Teams app can easily create and share links to files and folders in OneDrive.

This won’t be of much interest to non-business users, but thankfully, Microsoft has made some changes that will appeal to everyone.

More flexible

Perhaps the best change to OneDrive is that Microsoft is upping the maximum upload file size limit from 15GB to 100GB.

This is great news for people who want to keep large files, such as videos, on OneDrive. The service will also use 'differential sync' so that when changes are made to the large files, only those changes are uploaded, not only the entire large file again.

Microsoft is also changing how you’re notified about comments on files (again, mainly used by business users), and you can share files via the URL in your web browser with other internal colleagues.

More control

Microsoft also talked about how users will get more control over their OneDrive files. This is again aimed primarily at business users, and admins will be able to sync reports later this year. They can also set automatic expiration dates and times for external access to shared files, grant one-time passcodes and easily migrate data into OneDrive.

More personal

For home users, Microsoft is working on making it easier to share files, photos and videos with friends and family. You will be able to create various groups and decide what files each group has access to. You can select files or folders, click the ‘Share’ button, then select the group you’d like to have access to the files.

OneDrive is also getting a Dark Mode for all users who access it via the web. 

As we mentioned, despite being integrated in Windows 10, OneDrive has struggled to convince people to use it. For many people, it’s simply yet another pre-installed Windows 10 app that occasionally bugs you to use it.

Will these new features win over naysayers? Time will tell, but the changes are certainly welcome.

Via Neowin 

TOPICS
Matt Hanson
Managing Editor, Core Tech

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there's no aspect of technology that Matt isn't passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he's reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.

Latest in Pro
An image of network security icons for a network encircling a digital blue earth.
Why multi-CDNs are going to shake up 2025
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
URL phishing
HaveIBeenPwned owner suffers phishing attack that stole his Mailchimp mailing list
Ransomware
Cl0p resurgence drives ransomware attacks to new highs in 2025
Millwall FC The Den
The UK's first football club mobile network is here - but you probably won't guess which team has launched it
Google Chrome
Google Chrome security flaw could have let hackers spy on all your online habits
Latest in News
inZOI promotional material.
inZOI has become the most wishlisted game on Steam, but I wouldn't get too caught up in the hype
Xbox Series X and Xbox wireless controller set to a green background
Xbox Insiders are currently testing a new Game Hub feature that looks useful, but I've got mixed feelings about it
A stylized depiction of a padlocked WiFi symbol sitting in the centre of an interlocking vault.
Broadcom warns of worrying security flaws affecting VMware tools
Microsoft Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices on a table.
Hate Windows 11’s search? Microsoft is fixing it with AI, and that almost makes me want to buy a Copilot+ PC
Oura Ring 4
Activity tracking on Oura Ring is about to get a whole lot better, but I've got bad news about your step count
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Cleaned your Pixel Buds Pro 2 recently? If not, you might be getting worse sound