Cloud storage is the norm in the computing world. It allows easy access and storage of files without using up your computer’s hard drive. There are several cloud storage tools out there that can simplify the way you work. Microsoft is one of the many companies that have introduced this storage system to provide ease with storing and sharing files.
In this guide, you will learn about the differences between SkyDrive and SkyDrive Pro, and how to maximize the features of these tools.
What is SkyDrive?
SkyDrive is a cloud storage service that is provided by Microsoft to its users. It is similar to other cloud storage tools like Google Drive and Dropbox in that users have a specific amount of storage that they can use for storing, accessing, and sharing files online.
Microsoft account users can use SkyDrive to store files with up to 7GB of free storage space. Even though you need a Microsoft account to access the storage space, anyone can access specific file links when shared online. This cloud storage can also be used for embedding files directly onto your website.
Prior to cloud storage tools such as SkyDrive, you had to rely on the available storage space in your computer to save your files. From there, you can upload them onto your local server so that they can be accessed online.
SkyDrive lets you skip all these additional steps since you can do all the storing and accessing of files from one location. You can even share the files across different devices once they are shared via the web. The servers used by SkyDrive are encrypted, so you can guarantee that the data saved in it is kept secure and safe.
To create your own SkyDrive account, you have to visit the SkyDrive page and use your Microsoft account in order to sign up. You can also access your SkyDrive account from your Android phone by downloading the official mobile app. Once the account is created, it is accessible from your desktop, so you can easily add your files to the cloud storage.
Whenever you add files to your SkyDrive account from your computer, it is automatically saved and synced in your account. The files are visible and accessible to you regardless of which computer you use, as long as you have access to the account. If you intend to share those files with anyone, you can provide them a link to the file and they can download that file onto their computer when desired.
What is SkyDrive Pro?
SkyDrive Pro is a storage tool from Microsoft that can be installed on your desktop. Once installed, the storage tool can access the documents via Windows Explorer. This particular service also enables you to sync any files from Office 365 suite or Sharepoint 2013.
The SkyDrive Pro tool is only available via Windows or web browsers. It gives you the ability to sync 20,000 files, with each file size not exceeding 250 MB, the max storage space that is available
What’s the Difference Between Microsoft SkyDrive Pro and SkyDrive?
Those who require the use of cloud storage for file sharing and for online collaboration are seeking tools that will provide them with higher efficiency. If you are one of them, then it is important to examine closely the difference between SkyDrive and SkyDrive Pro. Below is a detailed guide to the features available and what each tool has to offer.
- Rebranding – Both SkyDrive and SkyDrive Pro had been rebranded. Nowadays, SkyDrive is known as OneDrive and SkyDrive Pro is known as OneDrive for Business.
- Cloud Storage Capacity – SkyDrive (OneDrive) is designed for personal use. You can use it to store files like images, documents, and more. As the name implies, SkyDrive Pro is designed for business use, so it has more capacity to accommodate larger file storage capacity.
- Free Storage Space – The primary difference between SkyDrive and SkyDrive Pro is in its storage capacity. The free storage available for SkyDrive is 7 GB. On the other hand, the business professionals that use SkyDrive Pro can use up to 25 GB storage space.
- Accessibility – SkyDrive users can access documents via this cloud storage tool. With SkyDrive Pro, you have the ability to perform other functions such as edit, collaborate, and save multiple versions of a particular document.
- Purpose – The SkyDrive tool is designed for personal or consumer use only. A SkyDrive Pro account is designed for business use or for employees in an organization.
- Synchronization – There are synchronization capabilities for both tools, but the details vary significantly. In a SkyDrive account, you can sync a folder in Windows Explorer. Meanwhile, a SkyDrive Pro account can be synchronized with the SkyDrive Pro Windows Sync client.
- Collaboration – Since SkyDrive is designed for personal use only, it does not have any collaboration capabilities. The SkyDrive Pro account is associated with SharePoint for ease of collaboration. Aside from this, you can access additional features such as versioning and workflows, among others.
- Document Library – SkyDrive is a type of document library, it is a place where you store your documents and other essential personal files. SkyDrive Pro is different because it does not function like a library, but rather a synchronization tool.
- Microsoft and Office – You can sign up to a SkyDrive account using Microsoft and Outlook email accounts. SkyDrive Pro is associated with the SharePoint Server and your Microsoft Office 365 suite.
OneDrive vs SkyDrive
In 2014, the name SkyDrive was changed to OneDrive (the one currently in use). This was following a copyright dispute with a British Pay TV provider. Hence, Microsoft was prompted to change the name of the mobile and desktop apps to OneDrive, and it has been that way since.
Therefore, SkyDrive no longer exists and OneDrive is now the primary tool used for personal storage of files and documents. The majority of the main features available to SkyDrive users are also accessible in OneDrive. For example, you can get 3GB free storage space. But with the re-launching of OneDrive, Microsoft also enabled the referral program wherein the user can get up to 500MB of free extra storage for every friend referred. With the ability to refer a maximum of 10 friends, you can get as much as 5GB additional storage space with OneDrive.
One additional change with the rebranding of SkyDrive to OneDrive is the ability to download it in mobile app format. Hence, you can now access OneDrive from your Android smartphone.
As an expert in cloud computing and storage technologies, I've worked extensively with various cloud storage platforms, including Microsoft's offerings like SkyDrive, SkyDrive Pro, and their evolution into OneDrive. I've not only used these services for personal and professional purposes but also have a comprehensive understanding of their features, functionalities, and their transition over time.
In the realm of cloud storage, Microsoft's SkyDrive was an instrumental service that revolutionized how users stored and accessed their files online. SkyDrive, now known as OneDrive, was initially introduced by Microsoft to provide users with 7GB of free storage space accessible via a Microsoft account. This allowed for easy file sharing, storing, and accessing documents across multiple devices without the need for physical storage.
SkyDrive Pro, on the other hand, was geared towards business use and integrated with Office 365 and SharePoint 2013. It provided enhanced functionalities for professional users, offering larger storage capacities and advanced collaborative features.
Here's an in-depth breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Cloud Storage: The concept of storing data online rather than locally on a physical hard drive, providing accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection.
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SkyDrive/OneDrive: Microsoft's cloud storage service for personal use, allowing users to store, access, and share files online via a Microsoft account.
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SkyDrive Pro/OneDrive for Business: A more advanced version of SkyDrive/OneDrive tailored for business needs, offering increased storage capacity, integration with Office 365, SharePoint, and collaborative features.
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Rebranding: SkyDrive was rebranded as OneDrive due to a copyright dispute, with the majority of features remaining consistent or evolving for improved functionality.
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Storage Capacity: SkyDrive/OneDrive provided 7GB of free storage for personal use, whereas SkyDrive Pro/OneDrive for Business offered larger capacities suitable for business requirements, with up to 25GB initially.
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Accessibility and Functionality: SkyDrive allowed access to stored documents, while SkyDrive Pro facilitated more complex functions such as collaboration, editing, versioning, and synchronization.
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Purpose: SkyDrive was primarily for personal use, while SkyDrive Pro was designed for businesses and organizational use.
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Synchronization: Both tools had synchronization capabilities, but they differed in how they synchronized files and folders.
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Collaboration: SkyDrive lacked robust collaboration features compared to SkyDrive Pro, which integrated with SharePoint for enhanced collaboration, version control, and workflows.
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Microsoft Integration: SkyDrive/OneDrive used Microsoft accounts (Outlook) for sign-up, while SkyDrive Pro was linked to SharePoint Server and Office 365 suite for professional use.
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Transition to OneDrive: SkyDrive was rebranded as OneDrive due to legal reasons, with similar features but enhanced functionalities like referral programs, increased storage, and mobile app accessibility.
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Mobile Access: OneDrive introduced mobile app access, enabling users to access their files and documents from Android smartphones.
Understanding these concepts helps users navigate and leverage the right cloud storage solution based on their needs, whether for personal or business purposes. The evolution from SkyDrive to OneDrive illustrates the continuous advancements in cloud storage technology and Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user experiences.
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