Windows Live SkyDrive

Windows Live SkyDrive
Microsoft · Public domain · source
Name	Windows Live SkyDrive
Developer	Microsoft
Operating system	Microsoft Windows
Genre	Cloud storage, File hosting service

Windows Live SkyDrive. It was a cloud-based file hosting service operated by Microsoft as part of its Windows Live suite of online services. The platform allowed users to upload files to cloud servers, synchronize them across devices, and share them with other users. It was a precursor to later cloud storage solutions from the company and competed with services like Dropbox and Google Drive.

History

The service was first announced by Microsoft in 2007 under the internal codename "Windows Live Folders" during a period of significant expansion for its online services division. It officially launched in public beta later that year, initially offering a limited amount of free storage. The development was closely tied to the evolution of the broader Windows Live brand, which aimed to integrate web services with the Microsoft Windows desktop environment. Over the following years, it underwent several rebranding and feature updates, eventually becoming a core component of the company's cloud strategy alongside products like Microsoft Office and Outlook.com.

Features

The service provided a web interface and desktop applications for Microsoft Windows and macOS that enabled file synchronization. Key features included the ability to create, store, and share documents, photos, and videos. It supported online editing of Microsoft Office documents through integration with Microsoft Office Web Apps, allowing collaborative work directly within a web browser. Users could generate shareable links with customizable permissions and create photo albums viewable as slideshows. The platform also offered a "Fetch" feature to remotely access files on a user's connected PC.

Storage and pricing

At its public launch, it offered 5 GB of free storage to all users with a Windows Live ID. In 2012, Microsoft increased the free tier to 7 GB while also introducing paid subscription plans for additional capacity, such as 20 GB, 50 GB, and 100 GB tiers. These plans were competitively priced against offerings from Google Drive and Apple's iCloud. Later, as part of a consolidation of its cloud services, the company began offering combined storage quotas that worked across this service, Outlook.com, and other properties.

Integration with Microsoft services

It was deeply integrated into the ecosystem of Microsoft products and services. It served as the default save location for Microsoft Office documents edited online and was accessible directly from applications within the Windows Live suite, such as Windows Live Messenger and Windows Live Photo Gallery. The service was also a backend for storing attachments in Outlook.com and syncing settings for the Windows Phone mobile operating system. This tight integration aimed to create a seamless experience across the company's software and hardware offerings.

Discontinuation and migration

In 2014, Microsoft announced the retirement of the Windows Live brand and the consolidation of its cloud storage services under the OneDrive name. Existing users were migrated to the new OneDrive platform, which offered similar functionality with updated applications and deeper integration with the Windows 8 operating system. The migration process involved automatically transferring user files and, for a period, allowed users to claim additional free storage on the new service. The original web portal was eventually shut down, redirecting all traffic to the successor service.

Reception

Initial critical reception praised the service for its generous free storage offering and its smooth integration with Microsoft Office. Reviewers from publications like PCWorld and CNET noted its utility as a competent competitor to early market leaders. However, some criticism was directed at its initial user interface and slower sync speeds compared to rivals like Dropbox. The rebranding to OneDrive was generally seen as a positive step, aligning the service with the company's modern ecosystem and resolving earlier branding confusion within the Windows Live suite.

Category:Cloud storage Category:Microsoft services Category:Discontinued Microsoft software Category:File hosting services