UPDATED 03:44 EDT / SEPTEMBER 28 2016

NEWS

Microsoft OneDrive updates: How to get started with SharePoint sync, more

At the company’s Ignite conference this week, Microsoft Corp. announced a variety of new features for its cloud storage service OneDrive. In addition to the ability to sync between SharePoint and OneDrive, which is now available in preview, there are also a variety of changes for mobile iOS and Android users. While IT administrators also get the ability to secure and manage OneDrive content.

Here’s a look at the new OneDrive features, together with how you can get started with SharePoint sync.

Sync between SharePoint and OneDrive

The OneDrive desktop sync client already offers support for both OneDrive for Business and OneDrive for consumers. Both platforms are now getting support for SharePoint sync. The public preview of SharePoint sync is available now for PC and Mac.

The preview allows users to sync SharePoint Online document libraries and OneDrive folders shared with others. While the new activity center will allow users to track file activity and sync status.

To get started with team site sync you will need to follow the below steps for each computer that will run team site sync using the OneDrive for Business Next Generation Sync Client.

Step 1: Disconnect SharePoint sites, shared folders currently syncing with Groove.exe

In the Windows system tray, right-click the Groove blue cloud > click Stop syncing a folder > select the library that you want to stop > click Stop syncing.

Note: Any files and folders no longer being synced won’t sync to SharePoint, but can be found under %userprofile%\SharePoint on your PC.

Step 2: Set up the OneDrive for Business Next Generation Sync Client

  • Download the preview build of the OneDrive for Business Next Generation Sync Client.
  • To allow SharePoint document library sync, download and open TeamSiteSyncPreview.reg.
  • Restart the sync client: In the system tray, right click the blue cloud icon > click Exit. In the Start menu, search for OneDrive > click OneDrive Desktop app.

Step 3: Sync your files

If you want to sync your entire library, go to the SharePoint site > click Documents > click Sync. Alternatively, you can just sync the files and folders that you need. Navigate to the specific file or folder > click Sync.

Updates for OneDrive iOS and Android app

  • OneDrive - notificationsYou will now receive notifications when someone shares a file with you and will be able to open the shared file directly from the notification.
  • On Android: The scan feature, released earlier this year, has been updated to allow you to take snaps of multiple photos that are combined into a single PDF. Microsoft said the feature would be available for iOS users in the “coming weeks.”
  • On iOS: You can get insight into the number of views your shared files have received from team members. This update will come to Android and Windows users in future updates.

New Office 2016 integration

Deeper integration with Office 2016 will allow you to easily share files with colleagues, see who is currently editing a file, see the history activity for the file and start a Skype for Business chat in real-time.  

Click the File tab to open a file and you will see a list of files recently added from OneDrive and SharePoint Online, as well as any files that have recently been shared with you.  

These features will be available first to First Release customers.

OneDrive browser experience

The OneDrive browser experience update now allows you to access, edit and share all files and folders that you own or follow in SharePoint Online. The new feature will roll out to First Release customers in the “coming months” while the complete roll out to all customers will happen in Q1 2017.

OneDrive will now also provide rich previews of commonly used business files without the need to leave OneDrive. Supported files include Adobe files, including Illustrator (.ai), Photoshop (.psd) and Encapsulated PostScript (.eps); email files (.msg and .eml), the majority of photo files (including many RAW formats) and streaming video.

The OneDrive browser experience also now includes the ability for users to select multiple files and folders and then download them all into a .zip file.

Additional IT capabilities

IT administrators are also getting new OneDrive features. Per-user controls for OneDrive have been added into the Office 365 User Management console, allowing IT to set storage quota and external sharing permissions for specific individuals. IT administrators will also be able to locate misplaced files, sign a user out of OneDrive if they misplace their device, or copy important files when an individual leaves the organization.  

Microsoft is also planning a dedicated administration console for OneDrive in the Office 365 admin center.

Sources: Microsoft Blog; Microsoft Support

Images via: Microsoft

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