SkyDrive tips to try


SkyDrive on your computer

When you download the SkyDrive desktop app on your PC or Mac, your desktop SkyDrive folder is automatically created. Any file or photo you put in this folder will be automatically synced to your other computers that have SkyDrive. And, you can still access your files on your phone. You'll also be able to get files from that machine even if you forgot to add them to your SkyDrive.

Go to the SkyDrive apps page and click Windows desktop or Mac to download the SkyDrive desktop app.

Getting started is simple:

  • Drag and drop files into your SkyDrive folder to automatically upload them to your cloud storage account. A green checkmark will appear when your file has finished uploading. Whenever you save an updated version of the file, SkyDrive will automatically update your folder with the latest version of the file.


    The SkyDrive desktop app showing files that are synced
  • With the desktop app, you can sync your entire SkyDrive on that computer, or you can choose single folders to sync. If you want to later change which folders are synced, right-click the SkyDrive desktop icon (The SkyDrive desktop icon) in the notification area at the far right of the taskbar. (You might need to click Show hidden icons first to see the icon.) Then click Settings, and then click the Choose folders tab.

  • Fetch files from your Windows PC remotely (from a separate Windows PC), even if they’re not saved to your SkyDrive account, as long as it's connected to the Internet. To turn on fetch, right-click the SkyDrive desktop icon (The SkyDrive desktop icon) in the notification area at the far right of the taskbar. (You might need to click Show hidden icons first to see the icon.) Then click Settings, and then check the Let me use SkyDrive to fetch any of my files on this PC option.

    Check the second box to turn on fetch

And of course, you can still get to your files anytime from any computer by signing in to SkyDrive.com.

See more

Get the app for your Windows Phone, iOS, and Android devices.

SkyDrive can be a great tool for keeping your files organized.

Sync or work on files on any of your PCs, even the one at home.

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