Windows Essentials 2012 Release Notes

General release notes Family Safety Mail Movie Maker Photo Gallery Writer SkyDrive

SkyDrive desktop app for Windows

This page provides late-breaking or other information about the SkyDrive desktop app for Windows.

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What's new in the latest version of SkyDrive?

  • You can upload multiple files in batches to improve upload speed.

  • You can now choose which folders on your SkyDrive you want to sync on each computer. You can choose the folders during setup, or at anytime in Settings.

  • SkyDrive and Office 2013 work together so your Office files sync faster and you can work on Office files with other people at the same time.

  • From File Explorer, you can quickly share files in your SkyDrive folder or view them on SkyDrive. Right-click a file or folder, choose SkyDrive, and then choose Share or View on SkyDrive.com.

  • If your PC is running Windows 8 and on a metered network, you'll receive a message so that you can exit SkyDrive to reduce network charges.

What operating system do I need to run Microsoft SkyDrive?

SkyDrive is part of Windows Essentials 2012, but it can also be installed separately on some operating systems. See the SkyDrive system requirements webpage for more info.

When I set up SkyDrive for Windows, why do I see a blank page after I click Get started?

This can happen if the Internet security setting in Internet Explorer is set to High, preventing the SkyDrive sign-in page from appearing. To view to the SkyDrive sign-in page, set your Internet Explorer security setting to Medium-high by following these steps:

  1. Open Internet Explorer for the desktop.

  2. In the upper-right corner of the Internet Explorer window, click the Tools iconTools icon, and then click Internet options to display the Internet Options dialog box. (If you don't see the Tools icon, press the Alt key on your keyboard to see the Tools menu in the upper-left corner of the Internet Explorer window.)

  3. On the Security tab, click Internet, and then change the security level to Medium-high.

If the sign-in page still doesn't appear, you might need to reset Internet Explorer by following these steps:

  1. Close any Internet Explorer or File Explorer windows that are open.

  2. Open Internet Explorer for the desktop.

  3. On the Advanced tab, click Reset.

  4. Click Reset again.

  5. When Internet Explorer finishes resetting, click Close, and then click OK.

  6. Start SkyDrive again.

When I try to select a location for my SkyDrive folder, I get an error saying SkyDrive can't create the folder in the location I chose. Where can the SkyDrive folder be created?

You can save theSkyDrive folder on an internal or external hard drive or solid-state drive.

You can't save the SkyDrive folder in these locations:

  • Removable media, such as a CD or DVD, USB thumb drive, or SD card

  • Mapped network drives

  • The Recycle Bin on a PC or the Trash on a Mac

  • Case-sensitive drives on a Mac

Why do I receive an error message when I try to stop syncing a folder on my computer?

You can't stop syncing a folder or group of files if you’re still uploading content to SkyDrive, or if the item you’re trying to stop syncing has sync problems. Fix any sync problems and wait until your SkyDrive is up to date, and then try again.

When I manually drag a OneNote file into my SkyDrive folder, how do I make it appear on SkyDrive.com?

  1. In OneNote, click File, and then click Share.

  2. Select the notebook you want to move to SkyDrive, and then click Web.

  3. Select the location on SkyDrive where you want to put your OneNote file, and then click Share Notebook. (You might need to sign in to select a location.)

How can I unlink SkyDrive on Windows 8 when I’m signed in on the PC with a Microsoft account?

You can't unlink SkyDrive if you’re signed in with a Microsoft account. If you want to use a different account with SkyDrive, sign in on the PC with a different Microsoft account or add an account on the PC with the email address you want to use. If you still can’t unlink after disconnecting your Microsoft account from Windows, contact support so an agent can assist you.