Microsoft OneDrive Gets Major AI-Powered Updates for Enhanced File Management and Collaboration

Microsoft OneDrive is getting a host of major updates to help track down all your vital files

OneDrive is getting more efficient, more AI-friendly, and even better-looking Microsoft OneDrive has unveiled a series of feature enhancements designed to make it easier to manage and access files on the cloud storage platform. Largely powered by AI, the new OneDrive improvements cater to the needs of business users looking for greater productivity and collaboration, but there's also some promising news for consumers using Microsoft's alternative to iCloud and Google Drive. It wouldn't be Microsoft without the mention of Copilot, and the generative AI technology features center stage alongside some visual tweaks to make data management easier in an increasingly digital world. Copilot Agents can be customized to help manage tasks by gathering files and data into a shareable assistant. They can automate repetitive tasks like retrieving documents and summarizing key information, and can be shared across other in-house platforms like Microsoft Teams and SharePoint for easier collaboration. VP of Product for OneDrive Jason Moore exemplified: "Need to onboard a new team member? Instead of sending them multiple links, emails, and files, you can simply share your Copilot Agent in a Teams chat." Copilot can also be leveraged to summarize and compare files without having to open them, making it easier to find the right document across multiple formats such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and PDFs. Microsoft has also rolled out performance upgrades for faster viewing, editing and organizing both online and offline, as well as a smarter search with filter controls and more detailed results. Visually, color-coded folders have been added to Windows File Explorer, while revamped sharing controls make it easier to apply expiration dates. Stepping away from work files, Microsoft's OneDrive app for mobile will get a new photos-first view with smarter photo searching based on subject and context. In recognition that consumers are storing more photos online than ever, the company has committed to expanding its 2TB plan to 5TB and 10TB options across Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions by the end of the year. Looking ahead, Microsoft is also promising deeper Copilot integration across Windows and Mac environments as well as more photo-related improvements and storage streamlining.

Onedrive Is Getting Better Photo Management, Faster Performance, and More

Microsoft's OneDrive is receiving a major update that will allow you to "work smarter, stay organized, and relive life's best moments -- all through the magic of AI," the company announced Tuesday. With the update, you'll be able to build and deploy a Copilot Agent, a custom, project-based AI assistant fine-tuned on your relevant files, documents, and OneDrive data. They're similar in scope toChatGPT's GPT applets, though built for specific in-organization tasks rather than, say, dispensing plant care advice. The Agent can help automate repetitive processes as well as respond to natural language prompts and questions about the project it was built for. For example, one could be used to get new team members through the onboarding process more quickly and completely than having HR manually send over the necessary site links and documents. The Agent can also be shared across teams and platforms, including Microsoft Teams, OneDrive, and SharePoint. Copilot is also coming to OneDrive directly, and is now available to all commercial customers. With Copilot in OneDrive, you can have the AI quickly summarize the key information from multiple files without having to open each one individually, as well as autonomously generate a FAQ from those files to share with other stakeholders and answer natural language questions about their contents. OneDrive itself should see a significant performance improvement. "From browsing large libraries to filtering documents, everything is faster, smoother, and more responsive," VP of Product for OneDrive, Jason Moore, wrote in the announcement post. You'll also (finally) be able to change the color of file folders within File Explorer. The file management system is even receiving new filter controls to help you find what you're looking for faster and more easily. The company is revamping file sharing capabilities as well. You'll soon be able to see real-time updates about which team member is working on which file and include expiration dates to sharing links for added security. Those filter controls have started rolling out to users and are expected to be available to all commercial customers by the end of this year. Starting in the middle of 2025, Microsoft plans to make "significant improvements" to the document library interface, "improving the overall performance and reliability, making it easier and faster to navigate, switch to and create custom views, and filter large data sets," Moore wrote. The OneDrive Android and iOS apps are getting some love with this update and will now focus on delivering a "photos-first mobile experience." Similar to Google's Gemini-enhanced Photo's app, OneDrive mobile will enable users to quickly search their image library using natural language prompts and descriptions of the photo's content. The company is also leveraging AI to expand the types of memories OneDrive surfaces. The revamped mobile app is available now on Android devices and will arrive for iOS in November. Source: Microsoft

Microsoft sprinkles OneDrive with AI 'magic'

Microsoft has unveiled a slew of new features for its OneDrive cloud storage service "all through the magic of AI." Microsoft's AI assistant featured heavily in announcement. The Windows maker says Copilot in OneDrive is available now. The company first discussed new skills in Copilot for OneDrive in 2023. This time, it highlighted the use of the technology to summarize, compare, and "get answers on specific files" without having to open anything. Also moving from Coming Soon to Now Available are Colored OneDrive folders in Windows File Explorer, "allowing you to personalize and organize your files with vibrant hues." Microsoft also promised updates to Document Libraries and a revamped sharing and collaboration experience. More interesting, however, are enhancements in search functionality. The company called the upgrades a "game-changer" with additional controls and improved results aimed at making it easier to find a specific file or folder, whether in the user's own OneDrive or a folder from a teammate. Microsoft said the search improvements were "rolling out now" and would be available to all commercial customers by the end of 2024. Administrators will also welcome upcoming previews of a site policy comparison report to ensure files meet compliance standards and Restricted Content Discoverability (RCD) - a critical feature for businesses considering rolling out Copilot. Files in libraries with the RCD policy configured won't appear in Copilot-generated results. While enterprises will be delighted to learn about the new features available now, as well as more coming to OneDrive in 2025, consumers will be more interested in the additional storage tiers. While it hasn't disclosed pricing, Microsoft will be adding 5 TB and 10 TB storage tiers by the end of the year. This is quite a step up from the existing 2 TB made possible in 2019, but a long way from the unlimited storage the company was offering a decade ago before pulling the deal a year later. Customers will need that extra storage as Microsoft is making images a priority in its mobile application. Alongside enhancements to photo editing and a new natural language search rolling out to Microsoft 365 subscribers now, due to hit all users during the summer of 2025, Microsoft is describing the redesigned app as "a refreshed, photos-first mobile experience." The update is available on Android now, while iOS users have to wait until November. Microsoft's plans were generally well received, although some expressed concerns about the privacy implications of turning the Copilot AI loose on personal data. Microsoft was quick to respond that "we take data privacy very seriously" and personal data wouldn't be used to train its models. The Register asked Microsoft how much users should expect to pay for the new storage tiers and whether it might finally ditch the comparatively weedy 1 TB limit (especially considering the focus on photos). We will update this piece if any information is forthcoming. ®