Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Web services, Freeware, Windows x64
SkyDrive Explorer adds 25gb of free cloud storage to Windows Explorer
by Lee Mathews Oct 30th 2009 at 11:30AM
Once you install SkyDrive Explorer, you'll see a new icon in My Computer (under "Other"). Double click it to open your drive, and a Live login window will appear. Sign in and you've got full-on access to SkyDrive right from Windows Explorer. Add files and folders, move things around, delete old junk - all as if they were stored on your local hard drive.
I'd like to see the app allow access to SkyDrive from open and save dialogs, but it's a great addition to Windows even without that functionality.
SkyDrive Explorer runs on both 32 and 64-bit Windows.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
NonprofitTech said 11:54AM on 10-30-2009
Any idea if you can use something like Synctoy with Skydrive to achieve quick and automated backups? Suppose I could test this out myself, but I'm feeling lazy today and hope someone else has taken it for a spin.
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insect said 12:07PM on 10-30-2009
25gb of free space is awesome if you ignore "Note Upload size is limited to 50 MB per file." It sure would be nice if they removed that limitation, splitting a large file of 1gb+ into multiples is irritating.
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HHS2112 said 2:54PM on 10-30-2009
MS's LiveMesh solves most of these issues,
- automatic syncing across multiple machines
- a copy "in the cloud"
- accessible from Open and Save dialogs
- everything "feels" like it's stored locally because it is
Can't remember the file size limitations but it's great - My Documents available everywhere (as well as real-time backups at multiple locations).
Not sure what MS's plans are but SkyDrive, LiveMesh, and OfficeLiveWorkspace could all be merged into one...
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kelby johnson said 12:52PM on 10-30-2009
We've heard the complaint about file size limitations and we're working on it. As a package SkyDrive is already packaged with OLW and our Live@edu offering. I like the idea of adding mesh to the fold.
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Money Mike said 1:00PM on 10-30-2009
I was just wondering recently if something like this was available, so thank you. I have a few backups in mine right now, but this means I'll probably start using it much more often.
Of course, I wish SkyDrive wasn't blocked at work, but all of those sites are.
Just one question - can you assign it a drive letter?
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tlove said 1:14PM on 10-30-2009
another option is to use Gladinet.
i think their free version will do the same thing as well as mount other cloud storage services.
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Youngortho said 1:15PM on 10-30-2009
I seem to remember trying out both SkyDrive and Livemesh and if I remember correctly neither would support uploading of nested folders. Is that limitation still present?
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CygnusOmega said 1:19PM on 10-30-2009
I have tried this program on my Win7-Pro-64 machine and it didn't go too well. I couldn't even upload a 279KB picture. I kept getting "Error uploading file" messages, then Windows Explorer would crash as a result of this program. So I will be sticking to the flawless integration of Dropbox for now. If only Dropbox had 25GB of free storage or SkyDrive had PC side integration.
Just a point of clarification, I love Dropbox's seamless integration but I like that with SkyDrive you don't actually have to keep the files on your HDD, they remain on the cloud, clearing up HDD space.
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zach said 4:26PM on 10-30-2009
You can try Gladinet. http://www.gladinet.com
KingOfGods said 6:05PM on 11-02-2009
According to their site they fixed the problem with Win 7 in the latest version
Monica said 3:08PM on 10-30-2009
What I think would be really good to see is companies like this going towards some sort of universal cloud storage solution. Where by I can access files from anywhere using any device. I can't imagine it would be very hard, so long as you use a some standard interface. This would effectively removed the need to be tethered to your data. Equally, it would be good to have at least one sort of backup/duplication solution to keep everything synced up on one machine.
Monica S
Los Angeles Computer Repair
http://www.sebecomputercare.com
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Michael said 4:33PM on 10-30-2009
Any way to run this on linux?
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Dracula Jones said 8:14PM on 10-30-2009
Buggy as hell in Windows 7 64 right now. Everytime I navigate to a folder within Skydrive Explorer that I have not been to before, Windows Explorer crashes and restarts. I suppose I could eventually visit all my folders and hope that clears it up, but they're aware of the issue. From their site's Support page:
"We have noticed that SkyDrive Explorer sometimes causes Win7 Explorer crash. Our team is working on this issue. New version will be released ASAP."
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CygnusOmega said 3:07AM on 10-31-2009
Maybe the new version wont be a steaming pile...
Also should have mentioned that it uninstalls very poorly. Didn't even show up in the Windows Control Panel Programs List or in Revo Uninstaller. Had to go and find the uninstaller in the directory. After it was done it left behind 4 files and a 2 folders, none of which could be deleted. Had to run a system restore to eliminate them.
Lot of work needs to be done before this will see my HDD again.
Ladron said 2:51AM on 11-03-2009
Thanks for the heads up guys, I was to going to install but after reading of uninstall problems I'll have to pass on it. Will try when more bugs are fixed.
Dave Forster said 5:16AM on 10-31-2009
Use your gmail account and integrate it into windows explorer...
I've used this for quite a while now and no issues, although I'm yet to install in on my Win7 machine...
http://www.viksoe.dk/code/gmail.htm
If memory serves me correctly you can install multiple gmail drives by just copying and renaming the dll and installing each one.
I use a secondary gmail account so as not to get my primary email account messed up.
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Jeebus said 9:23PM on 11-02-2009
Gladinet works great. I use the free edition.
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Theresa said 4:25AM on 11-03-2009
Going to try this one out , thanks Downloadsquad:)
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nadeem said 6:24PM on 11-04-2009
so far so good. running on windows 7.
installed without any problems.
uploaded a few files, no problems.
though seems like can't upload folders, just files , that means manually creating folders then uploading files in them.
Something I have been looking for like this for some time.
excellent
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TheBigOldDog said 9:16PM on 11-08-2009
The combination of the file size limitation and inability to upload more than one file at a time makes skydrive virtually useless imho. The size limitation prevents you from zipping up a folder of any decent size and who want to sit there and load files one at time? fugetaboutit! LiveMesh on the other hand is excellent! But, they limit you to 5gb. Still great for remotely backing up a few key folders like outlook. If they combined livemesh and skydive they'd have a big winner!
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