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[Amagon]

So, I caught wind of this offer from dealnews.com Just want to share it along with you bums. Can't say no to free cloud storage, especially 25GB.

You can only get 7GBs free now.

We brought you the news earlier today that Microsoft was planning to release its SkyDrive for Windows app shortly and the company has now made the application available to download a little sooner than we expected. A preview copy of SkyDrive for Windows has been released for Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista users in 106 different languages worldwide. Microsoft has also provided a preview version for Mac OS X Lion users too, providing access to SkyDrive documents directly within Finder.

SkyDrive for Windows will allow users to drag-and-drop files (up to 2GB in size) to and from SkyDrive folders. Similar to Dropbox, all files and SkyDrive content will be managed in one central folder that syncs with Microsoft's online cloud storage. There is also a new fetching files option that allows SkyDrive desktop users to access, browser, and stream files from a remote PC running the latest preview of SkyDrive desktop — handy if you forgot to sync a particular file from your desktop PC while you away from your PC.

Combined with today's release of SkyDrive for Windows and OS X Lion, Microsoft also announced changes to its free and paid storage offerings. All new SkyDrive users will be offered 7GB of free space, a reduction from the usual 25GB of storage. Microsoft believes that 99.94 percent of SkyDrive customers use 7GB or less today, so most new customers will be unaffected. Existing users of SkyDrive who are using more than 4GB of space (as of April 1st) will automatically keep their 25GB of free space, while other existing users can simply opt-in to ensure they don't lose the allocation.

SkyDrive for Windows and OS X Lion app now available with new paid storage plans

MSDN Blog on the upgrades.

Over the years, we’ve consistently heard from our most loyal customers that having SkyDrive accessible from Windows Explorer is important, and we’re happy to announce that, as of today, when you download the preview of SkyDrive for the Windows desktop, you’ll be able to access your SkyDrive from Windows Explorer on Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. The benefits of SkyDrive integration with Windows are clear: you can now drag-and-drop to and from SkyDrive with files up to 2GB, access all of your files offline, and have the full power of Windows Explorer available to manage your SkyDrive files and folders. Files stored in your SkyDrive are in a plain folder on your PC, which means any app that works with local folders and files can now work with SkyDrive.

7GB free for all new SkyDrive users. We chose 7GB as it provides enough space for over 99% of people to store their entire Office document library and share photos for several years, along with room for growth.

To put things in perspective, 99.94% of SkyDrive customers today use 7GB or less – and 7GB is enough for over 20,000 Office documents or 7,000 photos. Since the current base of customers using SkyDrive tilts towards enthusiasts, we are confident that, as we expand the range of people using SkyDrive, this 7GB free limit will prove to be more than enough for even more people.

Ability to upload large files – up to 2GB – and folders using SkyDrive for the Windows desktop or SkyDrive for OS X Lion.

Paid storage plans (+20GB, +50GB, +100GB) so that power users who need more storage can easily add more at competitive prices (US$10/year, US$25/year, US$50/year). Please note that paid-for storage requires the ability to pay by credit card (or via PayPal, in some markets) and a Windows Live ID that can be associated with that credit card or PayPal account.

Thank you for the updates everybody and the two following posts I stole above, Jayayess1190 & Anton Sugar

 

[SUPREME1]

Me likey, thanks.

 

[Navidson REC]

I've been pretty happy with SkyDrive and Live Mesh so far. Is this an automatic upgrade for everyone? Before it was just 5 gigs, right?

 

[Dreams-Visions]

thanks!

Hopefully this will get integrated with Windows and some of my favorite applications.

 

[AlteredBeast]

thank you, sir. I signed up and am going to start backing up stuff to this!

 

[SPDIF]

thanks!

Hopefully this will get integrated with Windows and some of my favorite applications.

You're in luck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_bEdIP6fK0

 

[BGBW]

Danke.

My old hotmail account came in handy for once.

 

[SUBZERO-08]

Thanks, always good to have some extra storage.

 

[RukusProvider]

Already in bed with Dropbox but good to see more cloud services.

 

[Stumpokapow]

Already in bed with Dropbox but good to see more cloud services.

Yeah, I'm not really interested in a platform-specific solution, but the more cloud storage wars ramp up the more space I'll get at Dropbox (and presumably the more people iterate on features), so I'm all about this.

 

[GabDX]

How does Microsoft make money with this? Do they sell information about what you store on there?

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I'm mostly a dropboxer but I envision myself going with Google Drive when that launches, since it'll be well integrated with shit I use often.

Storage wars is not just a tv show.

 

[Stumpokapow]

How does Microsoft make money with this? Do they sell information about what you store on there?

They lose money with this, and make it when you buy a Windows license or a WP phone. Or when you use Hotmail or their other web services and see the ads that make them money.

 

[xbhaskarx]

Signed up, thanks.

 

[cubanb]

Are there caps on file size? Box gave me 50gb, but I didn't like the file size max

 

[Broder Salsa]

Are there caps on file size? Box gave me 50gb, but I didn't like the file size max

300mb according to that link (increased from 100mb).

 

[Road]

This "deal" has been running since 2008...

 

[SPDIF]

I'm surprised by the amount of people who seem to have only just found out about Skydrive. I mean it predates even Dropbox doesn't it?

 

[Dreams-Visions]

This "deal" has been running since 2008...

they've been offering 25GB of free online storage since 2008?

really?

 

[Road]

they've been offering 25GB of free online storage since 2008?

really?

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-Live-SkyDrive-25-GB-of-Free-Online-Storage-99224.shtml

The reality is that you have 25 GB to be used by updating files manually -- similar to Google Docs -- and additional 5 GB to be used with Live Mesh for automatic sync -- similar to Dropbox.

 

[SPDIF]

Nevermind.

 

[Jayayess1190]

SkyDrive for Windows and OS X Lion app now available with new paid storage plans

We brought you the news earlier today that Microsoft was planning to release its SkyDrive for Windows app shortly and the company has now made the application available to download a little sooner than we expected. A preview copy of SkyDrive for Windows has been released for Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista users in 106 different languages worldwide. Microsoft has also provided a preview version for Mac OS X Lion users too, providing access to SkyDrive documents directly within Finder.

SkyDrive for Windows will allow users to drag-and-drop files (up to 2GB in size) to and from SkyDrive folders. Similar to Dropbox, all files and SkyDrive content will be managed in one central folder that syncs with Microsoft's online cloud storage. There is also a new fetching files option that allows SkyDrive desktop users to access, browser, and stream files from a remote PC running the latest preview of SkyDrive desktop — handy if you forgot to sync a particular file from your desktop PC while you away from your PC.

Combined with today's release of SkyDrive for Windows and OS X Lion, Microsoft also announced changes to its free and paid storage offerings. All new SkyDrive users will be offered 7GB of free space, a reduction from the usual 25GB of storage. Microsoft believes that 99.94 percent of SkyDrive customers use 7GB or less today, so most new customers will be unaffected. Existing users of SkyDrive who are using more than 4GB of space (as of April 1st) will automatically keep their 25GB of free space, while other existing users can simply opt-in to ensure they don't lose the allocation.

 

[Emitan]

"For Windows, Mac, iPad, and mobile. "

;_;

 

[derFeef]

"For Windows, Mac, iPad, and mobile. "

;_;

Yes?

edit: the app works the same as dropbox on PC. Already switching over, as I started using it more with my Windows Phone.

 

[GaussTek]

I downloaded and "installed" the Windows app, but after I try to open it up, it says "Skydrive can't run with full admin rights, restart Skydrive without admin rights"... of course, I just translated it from my main language.

But what the hell? How I'm supposed to run it "without admin rights"? Never heard of that LOL

 

[Anton Sugar]

MSDN Blog on the upgrades.

Over the years, we’ve consistently heard from our most loyal customers that having SkyDrive accessible from Windows Explorer is important, and we’re happy to announce that, as of today, when you download the preview of SkyDrive for the Windows desktop, you’ll be able to access your SkyDrive from Windows Explorer on Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista. The benefits of SkyDrive integration with Windows are clear: you can now drag-and-drop to and from SkyDrive with files up to 2GB, access all of your files offline, and have the full power of Windows Explorer available to manage your SkyDrive files and folders. Files stored in your SkyDrive are in a plain folder on your PC, which means any app that works with local folders and files can now work with SkyDrive.

7GB free for all new SkyDrive users. We chose 7GB as it provides enough space for over 99% of people to store their entire Office document library and share photos for several years, along with room for growth. To put things in perspective, 99.94% of SkyDrive customers today use 7GB or less – and 7GB is enough for over 20,000 Office documents or 7,000 photos. Since the current base of customers using SkyDrive tilts towards enthusiasts, we are confident that, as we expand the range of people using SkyDrive, this 7GB free limit will prove to be more than enough for even more people.

Ability to upload large files – up to 2GB – and folders using SkyDrive for the Windows desktop or SkyDrive for OS X Lion.

Paid storage plans (+20GB, +50GB, +100GB) so that power users who need more storage can easily add more at competitive prices (US$10/year, US$25/year, US$50/year). Please note that paid-for storage requires the ability to pay by credit card (or via PayPal, in some markets) and a Windows Live ID that can be associated with that credit card or PayPal account.

 

[Somnid]

This is going to make Thursday's g-drive launch look rather embarrassing.

 

[JaggedSac]

2GB file size - Awesome
Fetch any file from your PC from anywhere (doesn't have to be on SkyDrive, just need the app on your PC) - Awesome
25GB free - Already had it, but awesome.
Syncing - Awesome
Open APIs for third parties to use - Awesome

SkyDrive is now much, much more useful.

 

[frontieruk]

Beaten like Apollo creed?..

Question for stump,

Here's the description for mac os sky drive app

SkyDrive for Mac is the easiest way to access your SkyDrive from your Mac. When you install SkyDrive, a SkyDrive folder is created on your computer. Everything you put in this folder is automatically kept in sync between your computers (Mac or PC) and SkyDrive.com, so you can get to your latest files from virtually anywhere. Whenever you add, change, or delete files in one location, all the other locations will be updated.

Is that different to how dropbox works on mac? As it reads like dropbox on windows

 

[Dreams-Visions]

need iOS apps to add "save to SkyDrive" option ASAP.

Is that different to how dropbox works on mac? As it reads like dropbox on windows

is this a question only stump can answer for you?

I have a Mac, and yes that's how Dropbox works on a Mac...

 

[Amagon]

So glad I caught this update and opted in to keep my free 25GB storage instead of the 7GB.

 

[br0ken_shad0w]

So disappointed MS is getting rid of Live Mesh when Win 8 comes in order to promote SkyDrive. Direct pc-to-pc sync is so much more useful since there is really no limit in how much space you can upload.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

So disappointed MS is getting rid of Live Mesh when Win 8 comes in order to promote SkyDrive. Direct pc-to-pc sync is so much more useful since there is really no limit in how much space you can upload.

Is Mesh platform agnostic? If not, you have your answer as to why.

 

[Pctx]

Love it. Signed in with my gmail account that I had setup as my LIVE account years ago and got my 25GB's. Seriously considering dropping Dropbox now.

 

[giga]

Getting closer, but things still missing that Dropbox offers:

1. Public links

2. Document revisions

3. Undeleting files

Also, not being able to hide the dock icon is baffling. At least their iOS app supports background execution, so it continues to upload photos when the app isn't in the foreground.

 

[spyhunterzero]

Thanks for the heads up good sir.

 

[itxaka]

Fetch any file from your PC from anywhere (doesn't have to be on SkyDrive, just need the app on your PC) - Awesome

Jeez, no thanks. I can't start to fanthom the security implications of this.


Also, what is Europe gonna say about the integration? I mean, monopoly and all that and now they integrate with windows. Not a good thing.

I will hate it unless you can remove it totally. Like ubuntuone on ubuntu, if I dont want it I should be able to remove it.

Anyway, good seeing more competition, let's see if dropbox finally gives 25Gb for all (Got 31Gb already for free and finally I can start using it seriously)

 

[The Faceless Master]

while other existing users can simply opt-in to ensure they don't lose the allocation.

thanks for the heads up there... had to sign in to opt-in to keep the 25GB that i signed up for years ago... funny how that works...

 

[derFeef]

Jeez, no thanks. I can't start to fanthom the security implications of this.

You can disable this.

 

[QualityPixel]

I'm not seeing the 25gb option. Just says I have 7, and need to pay $10/year for 20gb. Links in the OP seem to be bad. Help?

 

[Meier]

So what does one do to get the upgrade to 25 from 7? Is it possible at this point?

 

[tino]

Does it let you sync a local folder? If no, its useless. I already got 50gb from box.net

 

[The Faceless Master]

So what does one do to get the upgrade to 25 from 7? Is it possible at this point?

probably not.

Existing users of SkyDrive who are using more than 4GB of space (as of April 1st) will automatically keep their 25GB of free space, while other existing users can simply opt-in to ensure they don't lose the allocation.

it sounds like you had to have at least one file already on there before today (or maybe before April 1st) to have the 25GB option available.

 

[notworksafe]

I'm not seeing the 25gb option. Just says I have 7, and need to pay $10/year for 20gb. Links in the OP seem to be bad. Help?

You only get the option to upgrade from 7gb to 25gb if you signed up before today.

Speaking of which, thanks for the heads up, Jayayess. I was only using 1GB so I had to "opt-in" to the free upgrade.

 

[Jal]

I'm not seeing the 25gb option. Just says I have 7, and need to pay $10/year for 20gb. Links in the OP seem to be bad. Help?

It's only 7GB now, see post 26.

Was just about to get this but will stick with Dropbox now.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Thread title should be updated. I think if you had signed up on April 22nd or before, you got the 25gb storage, which has been Skydrive's standard for the longest time. However, due to usage patterns and cost, they're now starting with 7gb free:

The real crime here is that Skydrive was just pretty unknown to most people. 25gb free storage? I'll take that any day.

 

[itxaka]

You can disable this.

Is it enabled by default? That's the main issue here. I expect it not to be but...who knows.

 

[The Faceless Master]

Thread title should be updated. I think if you had signed up on April 22nd or before, you got the 25gb storage, which has been Skydrive's standard for the longest time. However, due to usage patterns and cost, they're now starting with 7gb free:

http://blogs.msdn.com/cfs-filesyste...ablogapi/3058.13_2D00_chart_5F00_1EACA5C3.png

The real crime here is that Skydrive was just pretty unknown to most people. 25gb free storage? I'll take that any day.

it just wasn't as useful. i mean, look at all the people who prefer 5GB on Dropbox to 50GB on Box

 

[JaggedSac]

Jeez, no thanks. I can't start to fanthom the security implications of this.


Also, what is Europe gonna say about the integration? I mean, monopoly and all that and now they integrate with windows. Not a good thing.

I will hate it unless you can remove it totally. Like ubuntuone on ubuntu, if I dont want it I should be able to remove it.

Anyway, good seeing more competition, let's see if dropbox finally gives 25Gb for all (Got 31Gb already for free and finally I can start using it seriously)

There is a two step authentication process for PC file fetching.

You have to download the SkyDrive app off the marketplace to enable this. Doesn't come preloaded. So if you dont want it, you wont have it.

 

[Naka]

Is it enabled by default? That's the main issue here. I expect it not to be but...who knows.

I just tested this out on my computer and when you install the Skydrive app it asks if you want this enabled or not. If you enable it you can only access that computer's files through the skydrive website. When click on the computer with it enabled the website says it doesn't recognize your browser and emails you a code to input before you can access the files. So essentially it's a two factor authentication. I still am curious how secure it is outside of the browser.