Microsoft has announced a new design for its OneDrive platform as it reaches a milestone anniversary.
Launched in 2007 initially as a document storage space, OneDrive has evolved into a global cloud storage offering for photos, videos and other types of media, with a number of changes over the past decade aimed at ensuring better file management and better collaboration.
"Today we celebrate the 15th anniversary of OneDrive," the company wrote in a Microsoft 365 blog post (opens in a new tab). "We'd like to take a moment to thank you for using OneDrive, whether you're tackling a big project at work, planning a family reunion, backing up important content to your new device, or connecting with friends and loved ones through of photos and videos".
Microsoft OneDrive update
As part of its latest update, Microsoft OneDrive will now highlight your most relevant and recently used files in the same way as Google Drive, in the hope that this will save you time searching for them.
While hints can be helpful, Microsoft has added file type filters to the "Recent" view, recognizing that some workers may need to access a large number of files at any one time. If you desperately need daily access to an area of your drive, or just prefer to stay hyper-organized, you can pin specific libraries to the "Quick Access" section on the left side of the OneDrive home page.
Also, in the style of Google Drive, which has been around for almost exactly a decade, OneDrive's new Activity column will be "the most recent and unpublished changes and comments to your shared documents." It's visible from the "My Files" view and is designed to make real-time collaboration a bit easier.
OneDrive sharing
Microsoft services extend beyond OneDrive, and business users often cross the boundaries of SharePoint and Teams. Some continuity has always been missing, which Microsoft hopes to fix with its new Summer 2022 update.
Sharing controls are also better suited for web services, with a "more robust way to grant access to information, set granular sharing controls, see everyone you've shared files with, and manage sharing settings." access between individuals and groups. It's a move that could be seen as a backlash against Google, which also recently changed its stock sheet.
OneDrive photos
The company's latest update is designed to support select libraries like iCloud Photos and engages "all your memories in a private, invite-only stream that you can share with family and friends.
Like Apple's offering, comments and reactions take center stage in this new photo-sharing view.
Interestingly, the updates came to Australia first, followed by the US and other countries later this year. Users will be able to access the changes through the OneDrive mobile app for Android and iOS, as well as in their web browser.