Microsoft’s latest cloud service offering is the addition of SkyDrive. In fact, this intended addition is beneficial to a user when storing content and data online. Initially, you need to register for this service online. Remember that you rely on a Microsoft account. However, you can sign up with your existing Hotmail or MSN login ID or any other email account. Plus, with Microsoft’s revamp of Outlook, you can even sign in with your Outlook ID. You will be offered 7 GB storage space, if in case you plan to expand further, you can opt for $50 paid annual service.

However, using this functionality to your advantage requires becoming familiar with the tips that will help you. Let’s learn tips and tricks for Microsoft SkyDrive that you can use to your advantage.

Permit granting

You have an online cloud storage option provided to you. You now have the option to store files and make adjustments at your convenience. You can adjust the file settings to View & Edit or View Only or Public Access depending on the content stored.

You can also apply the same settings to the sharing options for email messages. If you are interested in keeping an eye on editing your shared file, you can make adjustments and add a user login option to edit a file. This way you will be able to know who recently logged in and made changes.

Adjustments are easy to make in the details panel on the right hand side. You will be able to easily see how many users have access to the file and what permissions they have. Now you can easily make settings like disable or change permissions with one click.

Add comment option

Previously, you only had the option to share a link to a file that could then be downloaded, but with recent changes, you can now allow adding comments. Now users who have the right to access your file can add comments to it. Also, each comment added by different users would display details like profile pictures. By making changes to your privacy settings, you can choose who can comment from your network of friends. Choose any of the given options such as Everyone, Friend of Friends, or Messenger Friends only.

You can make adjustments to comments at Skydrive.com > Profile Name > Edit Profile > Shared With

You can change the privacy-related settings in the Who Can Contact Me section by dragging the comment bar to the right side. This will allow users who already have access to your file to add comments.

SkyDrive as primary drive

Now you can easily sync your files so you can access them from anywhere. Create folders like music, documents, videos and pictures on your SkyDrive and apply the following steps:

• Libraries>Documents>Properties
• Now a Properties window appears where you can create a new folder
• Navigate to the SkyDrive folder and click to include a folder to include it in the Library Locations
• Change the primary drive by clicking the SkyDrive location folder>Set save location
• Apply the same steps to sync music, documents, videos, and pictures with libraries
• Now you will have all your folders in one place well organized to access from any location right away

View and edit files

The best feature you get with the latest version is to edit documents. You can easily make changes to your document online, since a full version of all Microsoft Office is available online.

You have the option to make changes to documents online with Microsoft Office Web Apps. This allows synchronization. Pop-up notifications will start appearing the moment any change is made to a document. To view the edited section, click the Save option and the change will be highlighted along with the name of the person who edited it. Similarly, when you have access to the Web Apps and the PowerPoint App, you can make any changes and share them with your chosen users online.

Gmail integration

SkyDrive can be integrated with your Gmail account by downloading Attachments.me. This can be added as an extension to Chrome or it can be added to Firefox. You can now attach files via SkyDrive to your Gmail account. Whenever you want to see your files, click Share from SkyDrive, you can access and share them via email. Also, you should remember that files shared via drive to email account is a read-only option. The original copy is still in the drive.

Recycle Bin

The best feature is that it keeps track of a total of 25 changes you have made to your document or cloud files. The Version History feature is capable of restoring any version whenever necessary. If you are in the habit of saving a lot, even then every time the Version History will be updated with the latest version. All this is possible with the perfect synchronization of documents. However, when it comes to the recycle bin, items are only held for up to 30 days of the time period. Another thing to note is that as soon as the 10% limit of the recycle bin is exceeded, the oldest stored item will be deleted after 3 days.

In conclusion, the above tips will help you use SkyDrive in the best possible way. With numerous added features and functionalities, it is something that comes across as a good tool for cloud computing.