The FBI has warned of a new Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) kit that is targeting Microsoft 365 accounts in a complex but easily accessible campaign.

The Kali365 PhaaS service allows hackers to gain persistent access to Microsoft 365 environments by stealing ‘OAuth’ tokens using AI-generated phishing emails that direct users to legitimate Microsoft verification pages.

Once the attacker holds the OAuth token, they can access Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive services without having to complete any additional verification or authentication mechanisms.

Phishing campaigns such as these rely on human-error in order to breach accounts, but luckily there are multiple steps to take to keep accounts and wider Microsoft 365 environments safe. Here are 3 ways businesses can protect themselves against the Kali365 PhaaS campaign:

1. Phishing Vigilance

Phishing emails come in a range of formats. They can be interview invites, document access requests, and everything in between. Hackers are using AI tools to make highly convincing phishing emails that can slip past spam detection filters and blend in with regular email traffic.

IT administrators should pay attention to the latest guidance provided from intelligence feeds on phishing email trends and ongoing campaigns. Additionally, staff can be trained to spot and report phishing emails through regular simulations that mimic the real world Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) being used by hackers.

Users should also remain vigilant against unexpected Microsoft account authentication requests, especially when the user has not made an attempt to log in.

2. Conditional Access Policies

The FBI recommends enabling conditional access policies that block device code flow for all users. Blocking device code flow prevents the main Kali365 OAuth code interception from working.

In the Kali365 attack workflow, the hacker will submit a pre-generated device code from their device alongside a legitimate Microsoft verification page. The code submitted by the attacker is then typed into the authentication page by the victim, authorizing the attacker’s login to the victim's account. The attacker then steals OAuth access and refresh tokens to access Outlook, Teams, and OneDrive without the need for a password or authentication.

By blocking this authentication method, even if a victim falls for the phishing email and enters the code, the attacker’s login will fail.

But before applying a universal device code flow block, make sure to audit existing usage to identify where device code flow authentication is being used legitimately. Blocking legitimate usage could disrupt day-to-day operations in some circumstances.

3. Block Authentication Transfer Policies

In order to make life easier for 365 users, Microsoft included an option to allow a user to use a trusted device to scan a QR code displayed on a separate device to authenticate a login.

However, this convenient feature makes it easier for attackers to authenticate their own authentication on a victim’s account once they have stolen OAuth tokens. Once provided access to a victim’s account, the attacker can use their newly ‘trusted’ device to authenticate their own account access requests.

By blocking authentication transfer policies, not only does it stop attackers from authenticating their own sessions, it can also help to prevent employees from logging in to unmanaged personal devices that can put company data at risk.

Expert Guidance

Deborah Galea, Cybersecuity Expert at Filigran, commented on the Kali365 attacks:

“Phishing-as-a-Service (PhaaS) platforms like Kali365 are becoming more and more common, which is turning hacking into a highly commercialised subscription business. This means that bad actors can now utilise these ready-made kits rather than building infrastructure from scratch, significantly lowering the barrier to entry."

"Kali365 is especially dangerous since it bypasses Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) without stealing credentials and allows hackers to hijack Microsoft 365 accounts. We advise companies to implement preventative measures such as restricting device code flow, blocking authentication transfer, and implementing Phishing-Resistant MFA.”

Andrea Sivieri, Chief Product and Technology Officer at CoreView, also commented: 

"The FBI warning on Kali365 confirms a pattern we have been seeing in enterprise Microsoft 365 environments for months. Attackers are no longer breaking into Microsoft 365, they are logging in, using features Microsoft built for legitimate purposes. Device code flow exists for a good reason, it is how smart TVs and IoT devices sign you into your account. The attackers have simply realised it makes a beautiful phishing primitive, because the user is the one who clicks 'approve' on a real Microsoft page. MFA cannot save you from a flow where the user does the MFA themselves."

"The depressing part is that the FBI's top recommendation, blocking device code flow through conditional access policy, is something any Microsoft 365 administrator could turn on this afternoon. The reason most organisations haven’t done this is because conditional access in a real-world tenant, is a sprawl of policies edited by twenty different people over five years. Nobody is quite sure what blocking one flow will break. So the policy stays open, and the attackers stay in business."

"There is a bigger lesson here for any organisation running its business on Microsoft 365. The next breach at a large enterprise will not start with a hacker exploiting a vulnerability. It will start with an employee being asked, very politely, to perform a legitimate action inside a legitimate Microsoft product. The defence is not better technology, it is real-time visibility into what is actually changing inside the tenant, and the discipline to revisit the security policies that quietly age out."

I wouldn't have predicted as a kid that I'd someday employ powerful AI to create a tiny yarn doppelganger with suspiciously soulful button eyes, but Microsoft is encouraging exactly that. The company's new AI Restyle feature within its OneDrive platform gives Microsoft 365 Premium subscribers a way to transform ordinary photos with AI like so many others, but with a couple of notable extras.

The feature lets users “reimagine” photos into cartoon movie posters, watercolor artwork, anime, and more than a few sculpture forms. You just open a photo, tap the AI Restyle button, and either pick from a variety of options or write your own. What is interesting is that when you pick one of the presets, it doesn't just start making the image as the Google Photos Remix tool does, it writes out the prompt it intends to use and lets you edit it. That's helpful for customizing, but it's also almost a mini lesson in writing good AI image editing prompts. The option for "Crochet Art" came out as:

"Restyle as a handcrafted crochet toy, using yarn textures, stitched details, and soft fabric surfaces in a studio-lit background. Keep the color tone warm and avoid shiny or plastic-like finishes."

I quite like the result. It preserved my face surprisingly well, but translated it into stitched loops, soft fabric textures, and the kind of tiny handmade proportions that make you look like you should be sold at an overpriced artisan market

And the prompt was concise but had all the key elements. The result was much better than when writing "turn the person in the photo into a crochet doll," which honestly was a horror movie image. It put a yarn pattern over my skin and clothes, but my hair looked like yarn formed out of my real hair and made the nausea-inducing choice of leaving my human eyes and teeth like I'm being tortured by an evil wizard.

By comparison, the one made using the pre-generated prompt, while still looking recognizably like me, was more of an actual crocheted doll made by someone who liked me and had a lot of free time.

Better choices

Then I tried superhero mode, which is where things got a little more comic-book deranged in a fun way. This version pushed harder into cinematic cartoon territory. Amusingly, there's no copyright-skirting logo on my chest emblem, but I do appreciate that I'm the kind of hero who will keep his facial hair but wear a mask across my eyes as though that will ensure my identity remains hidden.

Dog style

The other notable element of the AI Restyle feature is that the preset options change based on the photo you look at to fit what OneDrive thinks will work with the image. So, when I looked at a full photo of my dog, several options appeared that weren't available with the one of only half my body, including a "Forest Scene" and a "Hologram."

Another was "Toy Model," which I went with and got the adorable figurine above. Her fur became plasticky, and the art on her bandanna was simplified, but it still looked like her.

The graffiti version was my personal favorite, mostly because it captured the exact chaotic self-importance my dog brings to every room. It looked like street art commissioned by someone who had been emotionally changed by a chihuahua.

What makes AI Restyle work, at least in this early form, is that it is fun but not overwhelming. And you can always mess with the prompt suggestions if you want. Just be aware that you might give yourself nightmares if you don't make it clear that you don't like to see dolls with human teeth.

• There was a nasty bug in the March update that broke a bunch of apps, including Edge, OneDrive, and some Office applications
• Microsoft has now fixed this glitch with an emergency patch for Windows 11
• Windows 11 users won't get this fix unless they've enabled a certain option, and most will need to manually download it

Microsoft has rushed out a fix for a recent bug in Windows 11, which broke some important apps, although you'll have to manually download the emergency patch, as it won't install automatically (for most folks).

The glitch, caused by the March update for Windows 11, meant that apps with Microsoft account sign-ins — including Microsoft Edge, OneDrive, some Office apps, and the free version of Teams — would fail with an error telling the user they weren't connected to the internet (which wasn't the case).

Windows Latest reports that the fix has been deployed as KB5085516, rolling out to those on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 who have installed the March update.

As this is an emergency or 'out of band' update — outside the normal pattern of Windows updates — it isn't the case that you'll receive KB5085516 automatically.

You may do so, but only if you've turned on the 'Get the latest updates as soon as they're available' option in the settings for Windows Update, as Microsoft explains in the patch notes.

If you haven't enabled that — and most Windows 11 users won't, as this means the PC gets optional (preview) updates, which can still be buggy — then you'll need to grab the patch yourself if you're suffering from broken apps due to this connectivity error.

To do this, check for updates in the Windows Update panel (in Settings), and you'll see KB5085516, whereupon you can click to download and install it.

After applying the patch, which typically takes about five minutes to download and the same length of time to install, according to Windows Latest, you should be good to go with the mentioned apps.

Analysis: a necessarily swift fix

Microsoft has got this fix out quickly, as the company promised. The software giant said the bug would be fixed in a few days, and that's exactly what has happened — KB5085516 actually started rolling out two days ago, at the weekend.

So, at this point, you should definitely see the patch if you check under Windows Update. You won't see this fix, however, if you haven't installed the March update (KB5079473) yet, as you won't need it (of course). Presumably, Microsoft will have directly applied this emergency patch to the March update, so anybody installing the latter going forward won't encounter the bug.

Are you tempted to switch on 'Get the latest updates as soon as they're available' because this should ensure you get emergency updates like this one automatically? After all, if you don't, it's true that there's a chance you might miss an important fix if you don't read about it in an article like this. However, what you must bear in mind is that enabling this feature means you'll receive all of Microsoft's optional updates, too. These tend to be buggier than the release versions of monthly updates, which, as we see with the March update, can already play host to some troublesome gremlins.

So just be aware of what you might be signing up for, and I'd be wary of doing this unless you're a more confident PC user.

• Windows 11's March update has an annoying bug
• It breaks some apps which use a Microsoft account login, including OneDrive, Edge and the free version of Teams
• Microsoft has a workaround, but doesn't sound fully confident in it – though fortunately a patch is already underway and should arrive soon

Windows 11's latest update suffers from a bug which has broken some apps that use a Microsoft account login.

Bleeping Computer reports that the March update released last week (known as KB5079473) has messed up the Microsoft account sign-ins for OneDrive and the Edge browser, as well as the free version of Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Microsoft explains: "As a result of this issue, sign in attempts will display an error message with text similar to 'You'll need the Internet for this. It doesn't look like you're connected to the Internet'. This appears even if the device is connected to the internet."

As to what can be done here, Microsoft's advice is: "This issue occurs when the device enters a specific network connectivity state, and may resolve on its own. If you encounter this issue, restart the device while keeping it connected to the internet. This should repair the device connectivity state and prevent the issue from occurring."

This is a bug that hits consumers more, as it's Microsoft accounts which are causing the problem. Microsoft clarifies that businesses using Entra ID won't be affected, and this is just Microsoft Teams Free which has a problem (via Microsoft account sign-ins which are prevalent with that freebie version).

That said, Windows 11 Enterprise versions have encountered other bugs with the March update which Microsoft has been forced to release emergency patches for. This includes a problem whereby Bluetooth devices aren't visible, so you can't connect them to the PC.

Analysis: workaround sounds a little hit-or-miss, but thankfully a patch is imminent

If you've had trouble with Edge or OneDrive logins, or indeed one of the other mentioned pieces of software, since installing last week's Windows 11 update, now you know the problem. And it might be quite a nasty one to come across, as folks could well assume there's something wrong with their internet connection, and may end up having a frustrating time of trying to troubleshoot an issue that doesn't actually exist.

As for the supplied workaround from Microsoft, it is effectively that old standby: turn it off, turn it on again. However, it's not too heartening to read that Microsoft believes this 'should repair' the internet connection, which doesn't sound as definitive as I'd like. Keep your fingers crossed, basically.

Microsoft says it's working on a resolution for the bug and it should be patched in the "next few days", so the good news is that at least this particular network-related gremlin shouldn't be hanging around for long.

Note that the February preview update – the optional release just before the March patch – also carried a very nasty bug for Samsung laptops where access to the system (C:) drive was lost. This was the fault of the Samsung Galaxy Connect app, mind, and not Windows 11, but if you were unfortunate enough to be affected, here's how to extract yourself from that particular mess.

• Microsoft has a support article tackling Windows performance issues
• One tip is to turn off OneDrive syncing, as it "can slow down your PC"
• This is possibly one of the biggest bugbears when it comes to sluggish File Explorer performance in Windows 11

Microsoft has admitted that syncing files between your Windows 11 PC and OneDrive can slow your system down, while providing a bunch of tips on improving the performance of your computer.

Neowin flagged that Microsoft's support account on X highlighted a post that contains said performance tips for Windows 10 as well as Windows 11.

The article in Microsoft's support portal notes that: "If your PC is running slowly, the following suggestions might help speed things up."

The tips are provided in order, so the first one is the most important and potentially impactful, and the others follow, with the suggestion related to OneDrive coming in at number seven. (The others are mostly the standard fare: update everything – which is number one – check disk space, disable unnecessary apps, tone down fancy graphics in Windows, and so on).

Microsoft observes that OneDrive sync is enabled by default in Windows 11 (and 10) – mirroring files on your PC to the cloud storage service – to let you access your files from any device, wherever you are (as long as you're online). It further explains that those synced files in OneDrive also serve as a backup.

However, Microsoft concedes that the flipside of these benefits is that the process of syncing files on your computer to the cloud "can slow down your PC," and then gives you instructions on how to pause OneDrive syncing temporarily. That way, if you're having performance slowdowns, you can stop this syncing and see if it resolves those hiccups.

If you're curious, the way to pause syncing is to find the OneDrive icon in the taskbar's system tray (far-right) – it's the cloud graphic – right click on it, and under the Settings cog, you'll see the option to 'Pause syncing'.

Analysis: exploring causes of sluggishness

There have been quite a few complaints about File Explorer running extremely slowly in Windows 11, something Microsoft has acknowledged, and it's also something I've experienced myself on my Windows 11 laptop. OneDrive may well be tied into these kinds of slowdowns in some scenarios.

On my main PC, which is Windows 10, File Explorer runs noticeably snappier. And notably on my backup PC, which also has Windows 11 – and on which I've decoupled OneDrive – it also runs slickly.

So, if you're plagued by slow performance when working with the files and folders on your desktop (File Explorer), it's certainly worth pausing OneDrive syncing to see if this helps.

This isn't necessarily just about File Explorer sluggishness, though, and closing down OneDrive syncing could help performance in other areas of your PC – running other software or PC games, perhaps. As ever, any impact of syncing may be variable based on your particular PC configuration, system settings, and the workload that OneDrive might be undertaking at any given time obviously has a bearing on things.

You don't have to use OneDrive with Windows 11 or 10, even though Microsoft wants you to for obvious reasons – if you're going to subscribe for cloud storage, the software giant wants you to choose its service (and isn't shy about promoting it, either).

You can unlink your OneDrive account from your PC, though, and then uninstall the OneDrive app should you wish to go further (that said, it may reappear via subsequent Windows 11 updates, or that's certainly been a complaint I've seen aired in the past).

Microsoft is right about the benefits of cloud syncing for backup (and potentially file access from other devices, too), but remember, you don't have to go with OneDrive – there are other cloud storage providers out there.

In fact, there are other backup solutions. Just make sure you have one, and always remember that storing your data in the cloud with any service can be a good idea in some ways, but it does give a certain amount of power to a third-party, so you need to consider it as part of an overall 3-2-1 backup strategy.

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• Microsoft apparently has a new OneDrive app in the works
• The software was leaked and comes with a slick modern design
• However, it's proving divisive in terms of what the point of the app might be – but maybe we're not seeing the full picture yet

Microsoft is seemingly working on a new OneDrive app for Windows 11 with a clean and modern interface.

Windows Central reports that it has seen this creation, which was leaked from Microsoft's own servers. It appears to be a dedicated app for OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage service, but is a web-based piece of software rather than one natively coded for Windows 11. As ever, we advise caution around leaks, but it certainly sounds intriguing.

Windows Central assures us that, despite being a web app,. this fresh take on OneDrive isn't a sluggish piece of software (unlike the new Outlook app, which is also a web app, but suffers on the performance front).

The new OneDrive app starts by presenting you with your photo library, although it has a switch to flick back to its file management panel, where you can view everything (images, documents, all your files in the cloud).

In the photo panel you can easily access your 'Moments' – pictures from past years taken on the current date – as well as photo albums, and a gallery view.

Windows Central observes that the gallery view is "new, and not currently available on the normal OneDrive website", but there is a gallery view with the OneDrive site. I presume that our sister site means it's 'new' as in 'tweaked', and the main difference appears to be a new floating menu bar that appears when you select a photo - although that carries much the same options as the top menu bar that's summoned on the current OneDrive site.

At any rate, the new gallery view does look slicker, as does the whole interface here, which is it's all very nice, shiny and modern looking. (Again, remember that we should take all this info with an appropriate dose of seasoning).

Analysis: what's Microsoft driving at here?

So, yes, this is a nice-looking take on OneDrive in a neat app package for Windows 11, and the fact that we're told it runs smoothly and in a performant way sounds good. It's nice to have the 'Moments' (historical photos) functionality easily accessible too. It's part of the phone app, and I get notifications on my Windows 10 PC for moments linking through to the OneDrive website, but they're strangely sporadic.

Overall, though, there's not much here which is all that different to the OneDrive website – not as far as this leak shows, anyway. Of course, the leaked software here may somehow be an older version of the app, or there might be more to reveal – and further info could be coming soon.

Why do I say that? Because, funnily enough, Microsoft has its 'Annual OneDrive Digital Event' on October 8, so that might be a fitting time for an unveiling. Interestingly, the blurb for that event mentions "OneDrive's latest advancements in AI" quite a bit, so perhaps this app will have some AI infused in there, too - that would hardly be a surprise.

This purported new OneDrive app is a bit of a head-scratcher in some ways, though, given that you can already access Microsoft's cloud storage locker directly through Windows 11's folders (File Explorer) - or the Photos app for that matter. OK, so those methods aren't as neat and tidy, but still, because of this, there are folks reacting to this leak with confusion. They're questioning why Microsoft would even bother with this new app – given that, as noted, it doesn't appear to do much different.

Maybe Microsoft will explain all next week, and we'll just have to wait for the official revelation and details of what the OneDrive app can really do.

Meanwhile, there are already groans from a number of Windows 11 users on social media and the usual forums about how this is just going to be another unwanted default app in the OS that they have to strip out. That chatter is combined with cries from the cynical that this is just another way for Microsoft to try and push OneDrive (and subscriptions therein – something the company has been keen on doing in the past, it must be noted).

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• Microsoft promises to crack one of the biggest problems with Windows 11: slow performance
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• A Microsoft support document reveals a new twist on Windows 10's extended update scheme
• Even if you pay $30 for the program, you'll need to have a Microsoft account
• The good news is that up to 10 devices are supported with one license

We've had a surprise late revelation that Windows 10's extended update scheme will require you to have a Microsoft account, even if you pay for those updates (and don't take up the free offer).

Windows Central uncovered a Microsoft support document carrying this info, which has left more than a few people unhappy.

When Microsoft revealed its Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, the company made it clear that the cost would be $30 for an extra year of support, through to October 2026 (normal support ends this October). Then later, Microsoft relented and offered a free option, allowing Windows 10 users to instead choose to sync their PC settings to its cloud service - which, of course, is going to require a Microsoft account (to be signed into OneDrive, where the data is synced).

Folks assumed that if they went the paying route, spending $30 would be the only requirement - but it turns out that you'll also need a Microsoft account to avail yourself of the ESU in this way, meaning a local account on your PC won't suffice.

Microsoft tells us: "All enrollment options provide extended security updates through October 13, 2026. You will need to sign into your Microsoft account in order to enroll in ESU."

Elsewhere in the support document, Microsoft notes: "The ESU license is tied to your Microsoft account, so you may be prompted to sign in if you typically sign into Windows with a local account."

There is some good news here, though, which is that Microsoft also clarifies that this extended support program can be used on up to 10 devices. So, as long as those Windows 10 PCs are all signed in to the Microsoft account that has picked up the ESU offer, they're good to go.

Analysis: Local loss

Regardless of how you access the ESU scheme, the license you get must be tied to a Microsoft account. If you've forgotten those options, you can pay $30, sync your PC settings to OneDrive, as mentioned, or alternatively, use 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points (if you have them).

The reason for the Microsoft account requirement is doubtless so the software giant can police the 10-device limit, but as noted, this is going to cause some degree of bad feeling. Given that Microsoft has been pushing against being able to have a local account at all when setting up Windows 11 - and notably closing loopholes that are present to fudge your way around having to tie an installation to a Microsoft account - people are only going to be suspicious that this is just another way to shove them into getting a Microsoft account.

If you're paying $30 for the privilege of an extra year of support, shouldn't forking out that cash be enough? I think so, and Microsoft could always just warn you that if you don't use a Microsoft account, you'll only get support on a single device (the one you're signing up with). Then users could decide to proceed, or not, with linking to an account based on their preference in that regard.

If you do have multiple Windows 10 PCs, mind, it's no doubt good to know that you can cover them all with just a single sign-up for the ESU (even using the free offer).

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• Microsoft finally fixes one frustrating Windows 11 pop-up – just as a more irritating one arrives to take its place
• Microsoft promises to crack one of the biggest problems with Windows 11: slow performance
• Microsoft has all but given up on Windows 11 SE – and it looks like the war against Chromebooks has been lost

• Windows 11 users are seeing a positive change, but also a less-welcome one
• The good news is the 'second-chance out-of-box experience' nag has been streamlined considerably
• The bad news is there's a new nag pop-up in the Start menu that pushes you towards taking out a OneDrive subscription

Microsoft has tidied up one annoyance with Windows 11, but sadly appears to have introduced another - and more vexing – irritation in its place.

Let's start with the good news here, which Neowin flagged up and involves the 'second-chance out-of-box experience' (SCOOBE for short). That's fancy-talk for a nag screen that appears after booting to the desktop, trying to get you to configure elements of Windows 11 that you didn't bother with when setting up your PC originally.

Setting up your Windows PC is known as the out-of-box experience (OOBE), as in you just got the device out of the box and turned it on – so this panel is essentially pushing this stuff on you again, in the hopes you might use the Windows Backup app, for instance (or switch to Edge).

Now, as it exists currently, this SCOOBE nagging is a multi-panel affair that you have to click through (there are three panels, if my memory serves correctly).

However, in a recent preview release in the Dev channel for Windows 11 (build 26200.5722), Microsoft has changed the SCOOBE so it's just a single panel, and you can dismiss it with one click.

At least now when it appears – and if you leave parts of Windows 11 setup unfinished it'll keep popping up every few months or so – it'll be more painless to swat aside.

So, that's something (vaguely) positive – but unfortunately Microsoft appears to have introduced a new nag in its place.

Windows Latest noticed the new, more annoying, addition that has arrived in the Start menu of Windows 11 and consists of a pop-up that states: 'Action advised – back up your PC'.

Underneath that is some spiel about backing up your files, settings and so forth in the cloud, and if you click on the 'Continue' prompt Microsoft provides you'll be whisked off to Windows Backup. (And that backup app is facilitated by OneDrive – and with the low amount of free space included with Microsoft's cloud storage service, you'll almost certainly need a subscription, which is the crux of this prompt in terms of selling you something).

Analysis: SCOOBE Dooby don't

So, while this Start menu addition is a warning on the face of it, really it's just a way of trying to get you to take out a subscription with Microsoft. And while this could be a useful prompt to remind some people they need to back up their files, the problem is that others may well have already sorted out a backup via another app (or gone elsewhere in the cloud) – but if they've not used Microsoft's official channel, then they're going to get nagged to do so.

As Windows Latest makes clear, these prompts will likely keep appearing periodically – like the SCOOBE – and there's no way you can turn them off. That's because Microsoft has flagged this Windows Backup nag as a 'required' prompt, so it can't be avoided, unlike the SCOOBE, which you can actually switch off. (You can do so in Settings > System > Notifications > Additional Settings).

In my book, there should be no such thing as compulsory nags, and if you want to use Windows 11 without being pestered by a single pop-up along these lines, you should be able to tick a box to that effect. Interestingly, Windows Latest observes that with a test Windows 11 installation using an EU region, this alert didn't appear in the Start menu – so this change may not happen in Europe due to its data regulations (which are proving quite a boon in some ways).

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Veritas Backup Exec (BE) has always been one of our top choices for on-premises data protection. It delivers a comprehensive range of backup and recovery services. The BE Simple licensing plans make it very affordable for SMBs, and BE 22.2 on review introduces plenty of new and welcome features.

Microsoft 365 (MS365) backups now support SharePoint and Teams as well as Exchange Online and OneDrive. Microsoft Azure Object Lock provides ransomware-protected immutable cloud storage, backups to ReFS volumes can be accelerated, anomaly detection protects backup scripts from tampering, and BE now uses the FIPs-compliant deduplication engine from Veritas’ enterprise NetBackup product.

The simple yearly subscription service is based only on compute instances, which can be a physical system, a virtual machine or ten MS365 users. The starter five-instance Simple Core Pack costs an agreeable £489 per year, and Veritas generously includes a bonus instance for an extra ten MS365 users.

Deployment is swift; we installed BE on a Dell PowerEdge R760xs Windows Server 2022 host in 20 minutes. After declaring our physical servers using their IP addresses, BE pushed the remote agent to them while for our Hyper-V systems, we just needed the agent loaded on the host to secure all its virtual machines.

Adding our VMware vSphere host was simple, and we only had to provide its IP address and credentials. MS365 couldn’t be any easier, either: we added our tenant using the link provided by BE and entered the unique device code it generated for us.

Backup job creation is simple, too: you just select sources from the list presented and choose from a range of predefined strategies. These include backup to disk or cloud, and you can add extra stages in the job for local and offsite backup, replication to other disk stores or conversion to VMs, and add an essential air gap by migrating backup data to tape drives attached to the BE host.

BE supports plenty of storage locations, including physical and virtual disks, cloud, tape, deduplicating stores and network shares. For our tests, we created a local store on the BE server, used a multi-TB share on a Synology NAS appliance and added immutable cloud storage using an Amazon S3 bucket with Object Lock enabled.

Veritas takes data protection very seriously, and the job wizard always advises you to enable encryption. You can choose from 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption and, if required, only allow the user that created the key for a job to recover data from it.

Data restoration is another pleasant experience: you select a source, view its files, folders or volumes, pick a recovery point and decide where to send them. Creating a simplified recovery disk brings bare metal recovery into play, BE’s Instant GRT (granular recovery technology) is used to restore items such as SQL databases and the Instant VM Recovery feature takes seconds to create a new VM from a backup set. MS365 backups require a deduplicating store, and the best practice is to apply encryption at the store and not the job level otherwise data reduction may not be as efficient. We created one job to protect our Exchange, OneDrive, SharePoint sites and Teams data and used the restore wizard to recover data by choosing a component and selecting a time point.

SMBs that want every data backup and recovery angle covered will love Backup Exec 22.2. It offers a superb range of features, is a strong candidate for protecting virtual environments, cloud support is excellent and it’s very competitively priced.

We've also rated the best free video conferencing software.

• We used our WhatsApp channel to ask which online backup service our readers use
• 2,664 readers voted, and a staggering 1,300 choose Google Drive
• Let us know in the comments which service you use

To mark World Backup Day, we asked our TechRadar Pro readers which services they use through our WhatsApp channel (which you can join here!).

Most of us choose to backup our files online. It saves you from buying physical hard drives every time you run out of storage, and your storage is just one click away, making it super accessible. You’ve plenty of options too - with Apple Cloud, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Photos, and iDrive all amongst the most popular choices.

From our readers' responses, one cloud provider is by far the most popular, and that's Google Drive, with over 1,300 respondents choosing the service - that's over 50%. We’ve reviewed Google Drive, so this is not too much of a surprise - as the service is quick and simple to use.

Worryingly, the survey revealed 10% of our readers still don’t back up their files, so if you're one of those who need convincing, we’ve listed 5 reasons why you should backup your data to the cloud - be sure to keep your data safe!

Backup options

Apple Cloud also ranks very well, with 21% of our readers using this service. This service is very Apple centric, with only limited support for Windows and Android users, but is a great option for anyone with an ever more popular Apple ecosystem! Apple offers a tiered subscription service, and keeps your files safe with an encryption - check out our full review here to see just why this service is the most popular.

Another popular choice is OneDrive, with 377 respondents choosing this service (14%). From our testing, OneDrive has improved a great deal recently, and is particularly useful for anyone who already spends a lot of time using Windows. OneDrive has fantastic mobile app experience, and is integrated closely with Windows and Microsoft 365 - so check it out if you use these regularly.

Surprisingly, DropBox received fewer than 100 votes, despite being one of our best rated backup services. Although not the cheapest option, DropBox has plenty of useful file sharing options and an exceptionally smooth user experience.

Similarly, IDrive only received 16 votes from our readers, but is a very highly rated service by our experts. IDrive offers end-to-end encryption and a host of backup methods and device options, so take a look at our rating if you're looking for something new.

Whichever service you choose, making sure your data is protected should be a priority for both personal and business users.

"Data is the lifeblood of today's businesses, which means data loss can lead to catastrophic business failure," notes Alexander Huang, Director of Product and Customer Support at Laserfiche. "World Backup Day is a reminder to act now - before it’s too late. Organizations should evaluate their backup strategy today and safeguard your business against data disasters.”

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PRTG Network Monitor is a mature workhorse in our best network monitoring tools roundup.

Paessler's flagship product offers comprehensive visibility across networks, servers, and applications through its signature sensor-based approach. The platform monitors everything from bandwidth usage to hardware health metrics in real-time.

TechRadar reviewers spend several weeks researching each major IT platform in the market. We've found PRTG particularly appealing for mid-sized organizations seeking robust monitoring without enterprise complexity.

While LogicMonitor remains our pick for the best network monitoring tool of 2025, thanks to its AI-powered automation suite for IT workflows, PRTG offers compelling value for teams prioritizing quick deployment and comprehensive device support.

Paessler: Pricing

• Note: Prices converted from perpetual licenses to monthly equivalents based on 3-year depreciation

PRTG's sensor-based pricing offers flexibility but can become expensive as monitoring requirements grow. The licensing model counts individual metrics rather than devices, with most devices requiring 5-10 sensors for comprehensive monitoring.

While this allows precise control over monitoring scope, costs escalate quickly in large environments.

Support requires additional annual fees ranging from $360-680 after the first year, which adds to the total cost of ownership.

Paessler PRTG: Features

PRTG’s feature depth justifies its position among leading network monitoring platforms. It mostly targets IT professionals managing diverse network environments, with particular strength in multi-vendor networks.

For example, it’s remarkably good at infrastructure monitoring, with over 250 native sensor types covering everything from SNMP devices to SaaS.

However, PRTG lacks the advanced AI/ML capabilities of some competitors like LogicMonitor.

Its pricing remains reasonable for smaller deployments, but sensor-based licensing can become quite expensive as monitoring needs grow.

Automatic network discovery

PRTG's automatic discovery feature simplifies initial setup by identifying all network devices and creating appropriate monitoring sensors automatically. The system recognizes servers, routers, switches, and printers without manual configuration. This significantly reduces deployment time and ongoing management overhead for IT teams.

Real-Time dashboards and visualization

The platform provides customizable dashboards with live status information and graphical data representation. You can create custom maps using the PRTG map designer to visualize network topology and performance metrics. These visual tools help administrators quickly identify issues and understand network health at a glance.

Multi-protocol monitoring

PRTG supports comprehensive monitoring through multiple protocols, including SNMP, WMI, NetFlow, and HTTP.

The platform can monitor physical network environments, virtual servers, cloud services, and applications from a single interface. This makes it suitable for hybrid infrastructure environments combining on-premises and cloud resources.

Alerting and notification system

The notification system delivers alerts via email, SMS, push notifications, and integrations with third-party tools. Administrators can customize alert thresholds and create escalation procedures to ensure critical issues receive appropriate attention. PRTG has achieved 91% satisfaction ratings for its alerting capabilities.

Reporting and analytics

PRTG generates customizable reports covering performance metrics, availability statistics, and trend analysis. Users can schedule automated reports and create executive summaries for stakeholder communication. The reporting functionality supports compliance requirements and capacity planning initiatives

Paessler PRTG: Ease of use

PRTG's interface strikes a balance between comprehensive functionality and user accessibility.

The web-based dashboard presents monitoring data through intuitive graphs and visual representations that help newcomers understand network status quickly.

Setup takes just minutes with the automatic discovery feature handling initial device identification.

However, the sensor-based licensing model can confuse new users who expect traditional per-device pricing.

And while the platform's learning curve remains manageable for IT professionals, customization requires a deeper understanding of both the infrastructure and the platform's capabilities.

Advanced features like custom sensors and complex alerting rules demand more technical expertise.

Most users praise the straightforward approach to adding devices and configuring basic monitoring, but note that fine-tuning alerts and managing large sensor deployments requires careful planning to avoid notification fatigue.

Paessler PRTG: Customer support

Paessler provides multiple support channels, including email, phone, and an integrated help desk accessible through the PRTG interface.

The company offers comprehensive documentation, video tutorials, and an active community forum for troubleshooting assistance. Premium support includes priority response times and direct access to technical specialists for complex issues.

Support quality varies by license tier, with basic plans receiving standard email support and enterprise customers getting dedicated account management. Response times typically range from 1-2 business days for standard inquiries, though critical issues receive faster attention.

The company charges additional fees for extended support beyond the first year, which some users find frustrating compared to competitors offering inclusive support packages.

Paessler PRTG: The competition

PRTG occupies a strong position in the network monitoring market as a feature-rich solution for mid-sized organizations.

The platform competes directly with SolarWinds NPM, ManageEngine OpManager, and Progress WhatsUp Gold in the traditional enterprise monitoring space.

PRTG's strength lies in its comprehensive device support and reasonable pricing for smaller deployments, making it particularly attractive for organizations managing diverse network environments.

For enterprises seeking advanced analytics and automation, LogicMonitor's AI-powered platform offers superior predictive capabilities and automated remediation.

Cloud-native organizations might prefer DataDog or New Relic for their modern architectures and developer-focused features.

PRTG remains the better choice for traditional IT teams managing on-premises infrastructure who value proven reliability over cutting-edge automation capabilities.

Paessler PRTG: Final verdict

PRTG Network Monitor delivers solid value for organizations seeking comprehensive network monitoring without excessive complexity.

The platform's extensive sensor library, intuitive interface, and quick deployment make it an excellent choice for IT teams managing traditional network infrastructures.

While the sensor-based licensing model may surprise newcomers, the flexibility to monitor specific metrics provides precise control over costs and monitoring scope.

However, PRTG falls behind newer competitors in AI-driven automation and predictive analytics capabilities. Organizations prioritizing modern features like intelligent alerting, automated remediation, or advanced machine learning should consider alternatives like LogicMonitor.

For traditional IT environments where proven reliability and comprehensive device support matter most, PRTG remains a compelling choice that balances functionality with accessibility.

Paessler PRTG: FAQs

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• Windows 11 is warning some folks to back up their PC with a banner in the Settings app
• This is a way of pushing Microsoft’s own Backup app which uses OneDrive
• Not everyone needs to hear about this, and some users are getting frustrated with the banner repeatedly appearing

If you use Windows 11, you’re doubtless accustomed to Microsoft’s attempts to prod you into using its various services, and there’s been another spot of nudging (or shoving, even) in the OS regarding OneDrive.

Windows Latest picked up on this one, and it works in a roundabout kind of way, meaning that it’s not a flashing banner telling you that ‘You must use OneDrive’ (that’s coming in next month’s update – not really, ahem, though you never quite know with Microsoft).

The tech site tells us that Windows 11 is pushing an ‘Action advised – backup your PC’ warning panel on certain users, at the top of the Settings app home screen. And when I classify it as a warning, that’s because it’s displayed in yellow with an exclamation mark to urge taking action.

According to Windows Latest, this warning is being presented on a regular basis to them (and others). So, what happens if you click on the ‘Continue’ button in the banner? Windows 11 will launch its built-in Backup app, a tool designed to fully back up your PC to the cloud.

But of course, it’s tied specifically to Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage locker, which is why this is an indirect way of promoting that service. The catch is that if you don’t have enough storage space on OneDrive – and the free allocation almost certainly won’t be enough – you might be tempted to buy more space in order to back up your PC, and then Microsoft makes a bit of extra cash.

Back off on the backups, Microsoft – or at least provide a choice here

Isn’t backing up your PC a useful thing to do, though, if you haven’t? Well, yes, very definitely, so to be fair, for novice computer users who haven’t taken any such steps to protect their data (or indeed system settings), this could be very useful.

But OneDrive isn’t the only way forward in this regard, and if you’ve already availed yourself of a third-party backup solution of one kind or another, then you might not – well, you almost certainly won’t – want to get nagged in this way on a trip to the Settings app.

And nagged you will be, apparently, as Windows Latest notes that this banner only appears in Settings for users who have turned off cloud syncing and backup settings in Windows 11 (which, of course, you’re likely to have done if you’re taking care of backup duties yourself, and not leaving it to the OS). The repeated nature of this warning popping up also makes it more irksome.

Don’t get me wrong, I actually like the idea of the Backup app, which Microsoft has done some commendable work on in recent times to make it a good way to transfer all your stuff from an old PC to a new one. It’s convenient and handy for less tech-savvy folks in that respect, for sure, despite some limitations (notably third-party apps aren’t included in the backup images, just software from the Microsoft Store).

Even so, this remains a case of overreaching with ‘recommendations’ from Microsoft (once again). Windows Latest further observes there’s a fair bit of chatter on the likes of Reddit discussing possible fudges and workarounds to turn off this warning, but we shouldn’t have to resort to that.

Really, at the very least, there should be a box to tick along the lines of ‘don’t show this again’ with the banner, for those who know what it’s all about, and have their backups well in hand themselves. Surely that isn’t too difficult to implement, Microsoft, while still leaving the nudge present for those who might genuinely benefit from it?

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Unlike the other Copilot Pro tools, Copilot for Excel is labelled prominently as “beta”. But even in this qualified state, it has the promise of being a game-changer for anyone who needs to work with data but doesn’t want to become an expert in writing formulas, working out the best way to pivot data or spotting trends in large data sets.

Copilot for Excel exists in the toolbar, but sometimes it’s greyed out. That’s because it only works on . xlsx or .xlsm files saved in OneDrive or SharePoint. When the button is green, hitting it allows you to write natural language instructions to create formulas, analyze data or highlight cells according to whatever criteria you want. If you’ve ever struggled with creating a complex formula (or even a simple one), you’re going to love it.

The first thing to note is that Copilot only works within tables; if your data is unstructured, it won’t let you do anything with it. This probably isn’t a big deal for most people (every serious Excel user I have known has lived or died by tables), but it’s a limitation that may affect some users of large and disparate data sets.

If your data is in a table, though, Copilot is miraculous. You can ask simple queries, such as how much you spent between two dates, or what categories you spend the most on. It’s also great at creating graphs: just type, “make a pie chart showing expenditure based on month”. And you can manipulate existing data, say by asking it to use conditional formatting to highlight specific ranges of numbers, something that’s easy to get wrong for people who aren’t Excel experts.

You can also use Copilot to look for outliers in the data and highlight them, which helps if you’re trying to clean up a dataset or are finding results just aren’t what you think they should be. If you’re using a big dataset, that’s a wonderful time saver. It’s nothing that you can’t do with Excel’s existing tools – but for users who don’t live in Excel, it would involve quite a bit of searching online to know where to start.

Where the real power kicks in is when you ask it to make formulas for you. I created a simple table of expenditure for a small business, tracking spending across a range of categories. But I also wanted to have a column indicating the running total of my expenditure. This isn’t an easy formula to make if you don’t know much about Excel because it involves a SUMIF function that’s based on the row’s date, comparing it to others in the table.

I asked Copilot to “add formula columns to summarize total expenditure so far in this date sequence”, and within seconds it had created a formula and added it to the end of the table.

This kind of formula creation is going to save users of Excel hours, and if you regularly work with data but wouldn’t call yourself an expert, it’s probably worth the money on its own. Even on occasions where I wanted to do something that I knew how to do, I found myself using Copilot instead because it created better results than the various hacks, shortcuts and cheats that I have learned over the years.

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• OCR and image recognition data are being stored insecurely in OneDrive for Business, expert claims
• Locally stored data is putting companies at risk of leaks
• Hybrid working amplifies the security challenges

Security expert Brian Maloney has criticized Microsoft for storing OneDrive for Business files insecurely on users’ devices.

He claims the popular cloud storage tool allegedly stores data obtained from image OCR in an unsecured database on account holders’ PCs, putting them at risk of data exfiltration.

Although there are benefits to storing data locally, it can pose security concerns if the storage is inadequately protected, Maloney has claimed.

OneDrive for Business storing files locally, but insecurely

Microsoft, together with other companies like Apple, uses OCR (optical character recognition) and image recognition to enhance search and other features.

In a series of X posts, Maloney wrote: “Just a heads up. M$ is OCRing all your images in OneDrive for business in an unsecured database on your desktop/laptop. Happy Friday. #DFIR.”

Because OCR is stored in plain text, attackers who are successful in obtaining access to the databases can acquire potentially sensitive information from unknowing victims.

vx-underground.org added to Maloney’s work on X, sharing: “Any image saved with OneDrive is stored locally in a SQLite file (for offline mode, or something).”

Although business-issued hardware typically involved additional layers of security, such as encrypted storage, biometric security, and access to company systems via protected networks such as VPNs, the rise of hybrid working now means that more workers are accessing their business accounts, including OneDrive for Business, from their own personal hardware, which might not have such strong protection.

TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to comment on its decision not to protect OCR databases, but we have not received an immediate response.

In the meantime, users should consider only enabling features that they intend to use in order to minimize risk. Employees should also be vigilant to attacks, including avoiding clicking on suspicious links and sharing credentials online.

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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.

OneDrive productivity and collaboration upgrades

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.

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Microsoft has confirmed plans to automatically begin archiving unlicensed OneDrive Business accounts that have been inactive for more than 90 days.

The change, set to come into effect in January 2025, is hoped to enhance security and streamline cloud storage management for enterprise customers.

However, once archived, users will lose access to their unlicensed OneDrive accounts, and the only way to recover them will be for an administrator to enable unlicensed account billing.

Microsoft OneDrive Business archiving

The process will incur a monthly fee of $0.05 per gigabyte in the Microsoft 365 Archive, and reactivating an archived account will cost 12x more, at $0.60 per gigabyte. 

The company also notes the reactivation could take up to 24 hours to complete.

Microsoft stated in a support page that “unlicensed OneDrive accounts can pose security and compliance risks” as well as lead to “confusion and duplication of files” within organizations.

Such accounts may come up in instances where retention policies prevent their deletion, even when a valid OneDrive license is no longer in place.

To prepare for the upcoming changes, Microsoft is advising admins to manage unlicensed accounts proactively: “You can identify unlicensed OneDrive accounts using the SharePoint admin center to generate reports on unlicensed accounts.” Reports can be found by following: Reports > User reports > OneDrive usage > Unlicensed users.

The report has been available in the admin center since July 26, but some users may not see the option until tomorrow.

In order to prevent unexpected costs associated with unlicensed accounts, Microsoft says that admins should either reassign licenses or delete affected accounts entirely.

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Hackers are giving the old “phishing with errors” scam a modern twist in a bid to trick victims into downloading dangerous malware onto their PCs. 

Cybersecurity researchers from the Trellix Advanced Research Center have revealed how they recently observed a new campaign that targets Microsoft OneDrive users.

In the campaign, the victims get an email address with a .HTML file attached, typically named “Reports.pdf”, in an attempt to trick the victim into thinking it’s an important, work-related document. When the victims open it, they get a window that resembles Microsoft OneDrive, with an error message stating that the device could not connect, and that the error needs to be addressed manually.

Social engineering tactics

“Failed to connect to the 'OneDrive' cloud service. To fix the error, you need to update the DNS cache manually." The message reads. The window also features two buttons: “Details”, and “How to fix.” Clicking the “Details” button redirects the victims to a legitimate page on Microsoft Learn that discusses troubleshooting DNS problems.

The “how to fix” button, though, triggers a function call GD, with a .js script embedded in the .HTML file. It also loads secondary instructions that the victims must follow.

“This campaign heavily relies on social engineering tactics to deceive users into executing a PowerShell script, thereby compromising their systems,” the researchers explain. “This combination of technical jargon and urgent error messages is a classic social engineering tactic, designed to manipulate the user's emotions and prompt hasty action without careful consideration.”

This “hasty action” includes bringing up the Windows PowerShell terminal and then pasting and executing a malicious command. The majority of the victims seem to be located in the US, South Korea, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Norway, and the UK.

Ever since the death of the macro, cybercriminals have been looking for working alternatives to sharing malware via email.

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Microsoft has announced the rollout of offline mode for OneDrive on the web in an effort to improve file accessibility and productivity,

The update follows other feature enhancements applied to the cloud storage platform late in 2023, and is designed to give users access to their files wherever they are on even more devices.

With OneDrive’s new web-based offline mode, users will be able to access Home, My Files, Shared, Favorites, People and Meeting tabs without an active Internet connection.

OneDrive for web new offline mode

Other changes include the ability to rename, sort, move and copy files offline, with changes set to sync once the Internet connection has been restored.

Besides improving functionality when a user is unable to connect to the Internet, OneDrive’s new offline mode also promises performance enhancements when a connection is active. Users will be able to designate files or folders for offline access from OneDrive for web, streamlining the process and optimizing local storage space.

According to Microsoft’s blog post, viewing and interacting with files in offline mode promises up to three times faster loading times both in the browser and on the OneDrive app, Teams and Outlook.

OneDrive and Microsoft Lists Principal Product Manager Andrey Esipov explained that the offline mode uses local storage to store file metadata, which allows the bypassing of cloud service-related throttling issues.

Work and school accounts are now seeing the enhanced offline mode roll out globally. In order to use the feature, users will need the latest Windows or macOS version of the OneDrive app. The feature is also restricted to Edge and Chrome.

A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed in an email with TechRadar Pro:

"We do plan to bring offline mode to personal OneDrive accounts and extend support to other browsers beyond Chrome and Edge in the future."

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Keeping track of all your important work files is about to get a lot easier on Microsoft Teams thanks to a significant new update.

The video conferencing service is launching a new OneDrive app for Teams, replacing the existing Files app with a new integrated cloud storage offering that unifies the file management experience across its Microsoft 365 office software

The company says the new OneDrive app will bring a "consistent and familiar file management experience across all of Microsoft 365", taking advantage of a range of recent OneDrive updates including performance improvements, new views, and feature enhancements.

New OneDrive app for Microsoft Teams

"Microsoft OneDrive is at the core of your files experience in Microsoft 365, storing and protecting files as well as powering sharing, collaboration, and discovery," Microsoft's Noga Ronen wrote in a Tech Community blog post announcing the news.

"The new OneDrive app gathers in one place all the files, Loops, dashboards and design boards you need to work on, no matter where they live in Microsoft 365. The app makes it easy to get back to all the content you’ve created as well as those shared with you across Microsoft 365, right from Teams."

The new OneDrive app is rolling out to the latest version of Microsoft Teams now, with a wider launch coming in early 2024 for users of "classic Teams" - although confusingly, those users will not see a change in app name, which will remain as Files. Teams mobile users will not be affected.

Microsoft says the new app will make finding and searching for files a much smarter experience. If users are trying to track down a file but can't remember which exact chat it was shared in, the OneDrive app will now offer a clearer way to browse through your files, with filters allowing search by people, file type, or meetings.

Elsewhere, the new OneDrive app will provide a new home page that shows your recent files and content, no matter where it is stored in Microsoft 365, alongside a "for you" section that shows "AI-powered file recommendations" and file activity updates. There are also options for specific views focused around meetings, specific people, and shared files, along with the ability to mark particularly important files as "favorites".

Users will also be able to integrate third-party cloud storage apps for the new app, but will require the corresponding Teams app for that service. Microsoft says it will display and offer these apps on the Teams home page, and hopes to bring more providers to the service soon.

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If you're looking to share some workplace secrets, or just blow off some steam and vent, then a new Microsoft Teams feature could be ideal.

The video conferencing platform is releasing a new "offline meetings" feature that will allow users to meet in secret, for those times when you might need a bit more privacy.

In its entry on the official Microsoft 365 roadmap, the company did not reveal much about the feature, but instead offered a brief outline of how it will work - and it could be great for those moments where you need to blow off some steam.

Microsoft Teams secret meetings

Users will be able to schedule an offline meeting much as they would a normal one, but with the crucial addition of turning the "online" toggle off when setting up calendar events for personal appointments, lunch break slots and more.

The company notes that offline meetings will not have a chat thread or any other Microsoft Teams "online meeting artifacts", meaning they will remain a secret for those on the call only.

The feature is rolling out now, and will be available to Microsoft Teams users on desktop and Mac.

Opinion - flying under the radar

Let's face it - we've all wanted to schedule meetings just to have a vent at some point. But what if the people you share your calendar with start to notice these regular slots you've booked in with your work BFFs?

On the face of it, Microsoft's move seems like a puzzling one, as hiding meetings with no trace doesn't exactly seem to scream confidence in your workforce.

Of course, offline meetings in Teams could also be used for more formal situations, such as speaking to a line manager about a workplace concern - or just for a quick catch-up before an important presentation or call.

It's interesting that the launch comes days after Microsoft Teams announced it would let users set their working location for the day, meaning bosses, co-workers, and anyone else you're connected with on the platform will know exactly where you are - as well as having the more useful trait of finding out the availability of workers for chats or meetings, whether you or your colleagues are in the office or not.

Overall, the launch may be part of Microsoft's ongoing pledge to make Teams more accessible to users around the world - in whatever capacity they may choose.

Trying to avoid an awkward meeting or chat with co-workers might now be harder than ever before, thanks to a new Microsoft Teams update.

The video conferencing platform has revealed it will soon allow users to set their working location for the day, meaning bosses, co-workers, and anyone else you're connected with on Microsoft Teams will know exactly where you are.

Of course, Microsoft says the update will also be useful in finding out the availability of workers for chats or meetings, whether you or your colleagues are in the office or not.

Microsoft Teams set location

Going forward, Microsoft Teams users will be able to get an overview of someone's current status, their working location, and their expected working hours, just by clicking on their avatar or profile photo.

The tool will also display their local time, and the next available calendar slot in Outlook, hopefully making booking a meeting much less painful for everyone.

In its entry on the Microsoft 365 roadmap, the update is listed as being "in development" for the time being, but has an expected rollout start date of May 2025, meaning users may not have too long to wait.

Upon release, Microsoft says the feature will be available to users across Android, Mac, iOS and Desktop - meaning there really could be no escape from meetings going forward.

Opinion - is there no escape?

It's somewhat surprising that Microsoft Teams has taken so long to introduce such a feature, as setting your working location and hours has been present in Google Workspace for some time.

As someone who uses both services regularly for work purposes, knowing exactly where my boss or colleagues are is incredibly useful - for nothing else than making sure my virtual Teams background is set up properly.

Microsoft has made several huge moves towards the future of remote work in recent weeks, and such a productivity and flexibility-friendly tool is another step forward for users of online collaboration tools everywhere.

But sometimes we all want a bit of peace, whether that's to get some work done, or just to escape from the barrage of notifications and noises that plague our working lives - so hopefully there's some leeway in how this feature will work. We'll just have to wait and see...

One of the most annoying parts of using an online file storage system could soon be over, thanks to a new update to Microsoft Teams, of all things.

The video conferencing service is rolling out a new Files app that it says will make it easier to find and manage all your key documents, spreadsheets and more quickly and easily.

The company says the launch will look to finally address one of the key pain points for many Microsoft Teams users, providing a single Files hub with everything you need, rather than having to frantically scrabble around for the right file or document before starting a call.

Microsoft Teams Files

The new Files App for Microsoft Teams is described In its entry in the official Microsoft 365 roadmap as offering " one place for all your content across chats, channels, meetings and M365".

The entry notes that users will be able to, "manage, organize and locate the content you need quickly and easily", and that "way finding" will now be more consistent and familiar to users, hopefully meaning an end to trawling through endless menus and confusing file options.

The Files app is listed as rolling out now, but for Microsoft Teams desktop users only for the time being - although if it proves a success, it will doubtlessly be rolled out to other platforms too.

Opinion - a major Teams time-saver

The new Files App is the latest in a series of Microsoft Teams updates that look to make it a much easier platform to use within a work environment.

In recent months, the company has also added the capability to delete or rename files in a channel and in your OneDrive folder in Teams. This should mean users of the company's cloud storage system have a much simpler time of finding and customizing the files they need the most within Teams and making sure they are labelled just how they want.

With Microsoft Teams Premium now out in the world, the company will be keen to make sure its platform is useful and effective for users everywhere, so any extra help in ticking off these annoying workplace problems is very much appreciated.

• Check out our rundown of the best online collaboration tools available

If you're a photographer, or even just an amateur snapper - then it can be pretty tricky to get the storage space you need to hold onto your high-quality photos.

That's why we've listed the best cloud storage for photos specifically, which offer plenty of space to securely store high-definition photos at a reasonable price.

We have plenty of cloud storage experts here at TechRadar Pro, who have tested the full range of cloud storage services from big names industry, as well as lesser known but effective services.

There are some great extra features available in some of these, such as automatic synchronization and enhanced security features like end-to-end encryption.

Our top pick is still IDrive, because of its excellent interface, encryption, and the more-than generous storage space for images.

We have a guide for the best cloud storage for more discounts from all the biggest providers, including exclusive TechRadar Pro deals on solutions like Sync.com.

But first, take a look at our takes on the best cloud storage for photos, and consider taking a look at our other guides to the best cloud storage for business, and our list of the best lifetime cloud storage deals.

Today's best photo cloud storage deals

The best cloud storage for photos of 2026 in full:

The best cloud storage for photos overall

IDrive is a popular choice for cloud storage services, especially for small businesses and teams, but it excels in features for photos.

Photographers often use multiple devices to take photos, edit them, send them, and more. The IDrive plan allows an unlimited device ecosystem or one single account, across Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.

There's an 'Auto Camera' option which lets users to automatically upload photos and videos from their devices onto the IDrive account - retaining image quality.

Users can also take advantage of facial recognition features for organizing photos and syncing them across their linked devices.

Our previous iDrive test and review content has made reference to the fact that iDrive once offered unlimited photo storage, but this no longer seems to be the case.

Now, TechRadar Pro does have a fantastic (and exclusive!) for the main iDrive service - this isn't what we'd recommend in this case. The 'mini' subscription gives you access to a separate 'iDrive Photo' service which gives photo and video backup, which is available in two annual plan configurations - 100GB for $2.95 (cheaper than our flagship deal), or 500GB for $9.95.

Read our full IDrive review.

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The best free cloud storage

What we love about Flickr is that it keeps it simple, with free cloud storage for 1,000 photos and videos.

That's not easy to find, as most services make you pay for anything over a few GBs. With Flickr, adverts cover this cost - and we don't find them obtrusive or obstructive. Of course, you have the option to go ad-free and get unlimited cloud storage for a monthly, annual, or bi-annual fee.

What makes Flickr so popular (in our opinion) is the display. Photographers tend to be pretty big on aesthetics, and Flickr has a beautiful photostream in a social-media layout, where you can follow activity and comment on other people's snaps. You can even make your images private in a creative-focused network for both amateur and professional photographers.

Bur, if you need a dedicated cloud storage for RAW files, something like DropBox is probably a better choice, as Flickr is designed for presentation rather than storage, so it'll only display JPEG, GIF, and PNG images.

If the social element really matters to you, note that, without FlickrPro, you won't get stats on your photo views. And for deals, you’ll only get a three-month trial for Adobe Creative Cloud and discounts for Blurb, SmugMug (like Adobe CC, also included in this guide), and Prime with annual or 2-year Pro plans.

Read our full FlickrPro review.

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The best value cloud storage for photos

For a reliable and trustworthy service, Backblaze is a great choice. TechRadar Pro has recommended it as an affordable unlimited cloud storage service - particularly with personal accounts that aren't limited with storage capacity. Plus, files are backed up continuously without need for user input.

That being said, there are a few downsides. Backblaze doesn't do much more than store your images, and backup your files. That's it. You can't share, edit, or do anything with your photos other than retrieve them.

Storage isn't limited, but you are tied to one account on one device - you'll have to get another subscription for additional devices (but mobiles aren't covered, just PCs).

In our tests, Backblaze was comprehensive - something you can happily set up, then forget about while it protects your files, should something bad happen. There's no denying it does miss a little something, but it ranks pretty highly in our lists thanks to it's comprehensive, unlimited, and secure backups of your photos and videos.

Read our full Backblaze review.

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The best cloud storage for multiple formats

pCloud is special among the ranks of best photo cloud storage platforms - it’s one of the very few that provides a lifetime storage subscription. That means you only have to pay once to get, well, 2TB of storage. To prevent abuse, you are also limited to 2TB of download link traffic per month.

While we had reservations about its overall polish - it’s not as slick as rivals - we felt for its incredible value for money and extensive list of features available to all users, it’s easy for us to recommend pCloud as a secure cloud storage platform to both individuals and families, however business may want more flexibility. We also rated pCloud as one of the best alternatives to Google Photos.

Photographers will love the fact that you can see thumbnails and previews of most RAW files with the web and mobile versions of pCloud, as well as in pCloud Drive for macOS. Also nifty is the browser extension that allows you to save videos and images directly to your pCloud account, which you can use as a scrapbook.

Remember as well that you will be able to keep file revisions for up to 30 days and that you can create an entire static HTML website with its own URL.

Read our full pCloud review.

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The best cloud storage for photographers

Adobe Creative Cloud offers a number of top photo cloud storage subscriptions specifically for photographers and creators, providing photography-focused storage with attractive image galleries. This gives you a lot of flexibility over what you use to store your pictures

The Creative Cloud Photography plan offers access to the photo organizer and editor Lightroom and Photoshop, with a choice of 20GB or 1TB cloud storage. The Creative Cloud All Apps package, meanwhile, bundles all the top Adobe apps and gives you 100GB of storage. Alternatively, you can subscribe to individual apps, with the same storage space on offer.

Group Libraries enable colleagues to add photos to one shared folder, and you're free to make any photo private.

There's integration with Lightroom and Elements, and you can make quick edits when needed. There's even integration with Gmail. Uploading is easy, with apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. There's also support for RAW file formats.

We were big fans of Adobe Creative Cloud, giving it 4 stars in our review, saying “you get a lot for your money with Adobe Creative Cloud, from online storage to collaboration features, and of course, all the apps you could possibly want in order to generate content. The combined weight of all this, plus the fact Adobe regularly updates all of its apps, means you might see immense value in this subscription option.”

However, that diverse subscription package may not be for those looking for straight-down-the-line photo storage.

Read our full Adobe Creative Cloud review.

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The best cloud storage for RAW photos

Dropbox is great for storing pretty much any file you care to think of, making it a great photo cloud storage solution, particularly if you just need to store RAW files.

Organizing files is a cinch thanks to the intuitive folder system, plus you can access files on the go with apps for iOS and Android. All this and 2GB of free storage come with a Dropbox Basic account. You can get an extra 500MB of space for referring a friend, all the way up to 16GB, but this, admittedly, isn't great.

A Dropbox Plus account offers 2TB and you can get 1GB per referral (up to 32GB).

You do get a remote desktop wipe, 30-day version history, priority email upload and the option to restore folders or your entire account to a specific point in time, in case of accidental file deletion, crashes, or similar disasters.

Dropbox is integrated with Facebook, allowing you to easily transfer photos or videos from the social network. It also links up nicely with Adobe CC as part of an efficient workflow.

Read our full Dropbox review.

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The best secure cloud storage for photos

From now until the 31st of October, for its Cyber Awareness Month sale, Internxt is offering 80% off discounts on all of its premium plans.

Internxt’s affordable pricing plans, intuitive interface, and reliable support make it a great cloud storage service to consider. While it does not offer the same advanced features that you’ll find with Dropbox and OneDrive, individual users and businesses that prioritize security will enjoy the cloud service provider’s advanced security features and commitment to privacy.

Internxt’s basic free plan offers 10GB of storage, however there is a large emphasis on “up to”, here. All accounts start with a 2GB allowance, while more storage can be added for free by completing certain tasks, like installing the mobile app, subscribing to the company’s newsletter and referring friends. Beyond that, seven other pricing plans are available for individuals and for businesses.

We rate Internxt highly for its range of usable features, including its interface, which most users will find already familiar, the option to backup folders elsewhere on your computer, and the free, out-of-plan virus protection and password generator tools.

Read our full Internxt review.

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The best cloud storage for portfolios

SmugMug provides one of the best photo cloud storage solutions for professional photographers and enthusiastic shutterbugs alike. Like Flickr, it’s designed to be a space to present your photos, albeit as part of a professional portfolio, rather than a social network.

In our hands-on review, we called it “a photo cloud storage service that‘s easy to use, beginner-friendly, yet incredibly feature-rich.” With its stylish interface and relaxed user experience, backing up photos is a cinch. RAW files are also supported through SmugMug Source.

In addition to keeping your images safe and secure, SmugMug offers plenty of options for showcasing your art - the whole platform is rich in community spirit, so if you’re serious about your photography, the site’s drag-and-drop website builder is a good way to broaden your audience reach. The site also packs ecommerce selling tools, giving you the opportunity to make money on your images.

Unfortunately, though, SmugMug is subscription-only. There’s no free cloud storage for photos, unlike Flickr, which is owned by the same company. If that’s not a concern, then SmugMug is a great and one of the few platforms offering genuinely unlimited, full-resolution cloud storage for photos and videos.

Read our full SmugMug review.

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The best photo cloud storage for Android

Google Photos used to be the number one destination for photo backups, offering free, unlimited cloud storage for ‘high quality’ photos and videos. But since June 2021, newly uploaded images count towards the free 15GB of cloud storage that comes with every Google account.

In our in-depth Google Photos review, we called it “a strong entry into the cloud storage space for users to store their photos and images, but the basic editing tools will leave more advanced users looking for more functionality.”

As you’d expect from Google, the photos app has a classically clean layout, accessible for everyone, and easy to use. Better still, you can upload, view, edit, and retrieve your pictures on almost every device.

If you prefer traditional cloud storage for photos - rather than the image-focused Photos app - Google Drive is a good alternative. Like Dropbox, Drive is geared towards file sharing, with multiple users able to modify shared files.

You can store photos on Drive, but it doesn't offer the same stylish setting as more photography-focused online storage. It’s also part of Google Workspace which offers several free business-grade office apps - we even use it at TechRadar Pro HQ.

There are some clever features, too. Google uses AI tools and machine learning to automatically label people, objects, and locations within pictures, using metadata (the recorded date and place) to make searching easier. If you have a Canon device, you can back up your photos to Google Photos by just using Wi-Fi.

Free cloud storage starts at 15GB, with storage space shared across all Google services, like Photos, Drive, Gmail, and Google Docs.

Read our full Google Photos review.

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The best Windows cloud storage for photos

Microsoft OneDrive offers a very similar setup to its arch-rival, Google Drive - but it’s likely the best photo cloud storage if you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber.

Anyone familiar with the Microsoft Office suite will feel right at home with OneDrive's integrated office apps. OneDrive adopts the same look and feel as Windows 10, so it's easy to navigate.

However, it isn't designed solely for photographers, so don't expect the same viewing experience as you get from Flickr. That said, some features have been added for photo users, like cropping, rotating, and light/color adjustments. Hardly Photoshop levels of editing, but passable when you need a quick fix.

In our review of the cloud storage service, it didn’t escape our attention that, for a long time, OneDrive had lagged behind rivals like Google Drive and Apple iCloud. However, we found the latest version “is easier to call a success now, particularly for those that spend a lot of time using Windows or the various Office applications.” We were especially impressed with the Personal Vault option, which made photos ultra-secure.

Also, subscribers can install Microsoft 365 on an unlimited number of devices.

Read our full Microsoft OneDrive review.

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Honorable mentions

While we've taken pains to only include the very best in our list of cloud storage software for photos, it is undeniable that there are some other very good solutions that were very close to being included. We couldn't leave these platforms out entirely, so here are our picks of other tools that you may want to consider.

- Amazon Photos: If you're already an Amazon Prime member, this represents a very handy photo storage tool. The Amazon Photos app is required on iOS and macOS but your library is also accessible from any web browser. There's 5 GB of free online photo storage for all members but if you're a Prime subscriber, you'll receive unlimited storage without compression. Otherwise, if you need more storage space, prices are 100 GB for $1.99/month, 1 TB for $6.99/month, and 2 TB for $11.99/month.

- NordLocker: For security-conscious photographers, NordLocker could be the right pick. With its zero-knowledge encryption, not even the people who work at NordLocker can access your data. Prices start at $8.99 per month for 500 GB of storage, rising to $14.99 a month for 2 TB plan.

- Arq Backup: The biggest advantage of using Arq Backup is the way it handles versioning. With its block-level incremental backups, only file changes are backed up, which can save photographers (who frequently store large files and folders) from using a lot of bandwidth unnecessarily.

The best photo cloud storage: FAQs

How to choose the best photo cloud storage for you

When deciding which photo cloud storage is best, your choice comes down to a number of factors, but storage size is likely to be near the top of the list. Compared to documents, images, GIFs, and videos take up a lot of space, so the capacity that may be fine for a generic cloud solution, may not be enough for individuals who capture a lot of videos and pictures.

In addition, if you're a professional photographer or work in a media-heavy environment, you're going to be storing a lot of high-definition, high-resolution files - and that's consuming even more space.

Of course, storage size is not the only determinant of the best cloud storage for photos. You should consider other factors like security, support, and user interface. You want to know your images are safe and easily accessible. The platform should fit your unique flow, and it needs to feel comfortable when navigating your chosen photo storage app.

You may also want to keep in mind the kind of display option that comes with a particular cloud storage service. Do you simply want somewhere to keep your images safe, or would you prefer a solution with a built-in gallery? When deciding on the best photo cloud storage option, don't get too focused on storage size.

How we tested the best photo cloud storage

We take professional photography software and services as seriously as you do - and in addition to reviewing the best hardware for photographers, like the best laptop for photo editing, the best photo editing PC, and even the best camera for photography.

So, we consider factors like user experience, storage capacity, editing capabilities, and the retention of original image resolutions as we tested the best photo cloud storage to help you find the right online home for your work.

When testing the best cloud storage for photos, we asked our testers to take notice of the upload and download speeds (which can make the difference between a decent and a fantastic service). This is particularly important for videos, which can often take a long time to transfer due to their size.

When uploading large or numerous files, it can be hugely frustrating watching the loading bar gradually crawl to completion, so this was a major factor in the review process. But it wasn't the only one.

We also assess the best photo cloud storage options based on ease of use, added functionality, and, of course - price.

All things considered, most services are quite well rounded, and a few do specific features very well for a good price.

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The number of different cloud storage solutions on the market today can be overwhelming. And things aren’t made any clearer when two come from the same technology provider. But while Microsoft may have created both SharePoint and OneDrive, the two tools have a few differences (as well as a fair amount of overlap).

Of course, deciding between the two will depend on what exactly you're looking for. While some users have their eyes peeled for the best cloud document storage, others want the best photo cloud storage, and some are looking for the best cloud storage overall. 

When deciding between OneDrive and SharePoint, it’s a good idea to check out our reviews of each platform. Our Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage review, for example, emphasizes the strengths of a platform that is designed to be closely integrated with other Microsoft solutions. Similarly, our SharePoint Online review points out its advantages for users. 

Perhaps the main differentiator between SharePoint and OneDrive is that they have slightly different focuses. While OneDrive is focused on cloud storage, SharePoint would be more accurately described as a piece of document management software.  

OneDrive vs SharePoint: Features

As the scope of Microsoft OneDrive is a lot smaller than SharePoint, it stands to reason that it comes with fewer features. What it does do, however, it does extremely well. In addition to offering basic cloud storage, OneDrive provides mobile document scanning, close integration with Office solutions, and the ability to add in-document comments and @mentions. OneDrive also offers auto-save and version history for file types like Excel and Word. 

Disappointingly, OneDrive doesn’t come with unlimited, bare metal backup for your devices and doesn’t support external drives and NAS drives - only your files are supported. But using OneDrive is at least very intuitive. Individuals simply drag and drop a file or folder into OneDrive and it is automatically synced to the cloud so it can be accessed from any device where you log in to your OneDrive account. There’s also an option to just keep a copy in the cloud, which means you can save on storage. Sharing files and folders with other people is straightforward too, with OneDrive generating a link for you.

SharePoint’s feature list is more extensive. The platform lets businesses create an internal website to facilitate collaboration between employees. Of course, you can collaborate using OneDrive but that isn’t really its aim. Part of the Office 365 suite of tools, SharePoint is also a cloud solution as it is accessed remotely via an online connection but it offers more than just storage. 

Among SharePoint’s features, users will find business intelligence solutions, page landmarks for easier document navigation, information rights management, and a mobile-friendly UI. In addition, SharePoint provides Team sites to facilitate collaboration. Team sites are locations where groups can work on projects and share information.

OneDrive vs SharePoint: Performance

Fast and reliable, OneDrive boasts some respectable upload and download speeds. In our testing, OneDrive completed a 1GB test file upload in just over five minutes. The cloud platform took around seven minutes to download the same file. While this download speed would ideally be a little faster, it’s worth keeping in mind that most of the time, OneDrive’s desktop client is simply left to run and sync in the background and, as such, files will generally be available quite quickly.

Because SharePoint is not really a cloud storage solution, it is difficult to directly compare its performance with OneDrive. There are several ways of enhancing SharePoint’s performance, however. Optimizing images, minimizing the use of web parts, and using a page diagnostic tool can all help speed up your SharePoint site. 

• Cloud storage reviews: how we tested them

OneDrive vs SharePoint: Support

With both OneDrive and SharePoint being Microsoft offerings, the support available is fairly similar. For OneDrove, there are plenty of self-help articles online but getting further help is a little more challenging. While it is true that there are email and phone support channels, finding these buried deep in several menus is a bit disappointing.

There are also help and support articles available online for SharePoint, covering a wide range of topics. This encompasses the full gamut of questions, from “What is SharePoint?” to how to create a SharePoint site. As with OneDrive, there is plenty of help available online but getting more bespoke support is not always so easy. 

OneDrive vs SharePoint: Pricing

OneDrive users receive 5GB of free cloud storage, with paid plans starting at $5.00 per user, per month. Business users will also enjoy access to the suite of Office tools, which is thrown in as part of the most expensive OneDrive subscription - priced at $12.50 per user, per month. At the lowest price point, users only receive access to file sharing and OneDrive storage so they may want to explore the pricier options. 

Interestingly, Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which is $6 per user, per month, comes with SharePoint access included. Similarly, the SharePoint Online (Plan 1) comes with OneDrive bundled in. Of course, you could choose to access OneDrive on its own but the interconnected nature of the two programs makes it difficult to compare them on price.

OneDrive vs SharePoint: Our Verdict

OneDrive and SharePoint are like apples and oranges. Although there is some overlap - both platforms can be used to store files, for example - they generally serve different purposes. If you are looking for a straight-up cloud storage solution, it’s worth checking OneDrive out. If you want a collaboration tool, SharePoint could be the one for you. 

• Check out the very best in cloud storage

Tracking down the files you need in Microsoft Teams should soon be easier than ever thanks to a new addition to the platform.

The video conferencing service is preparing the launch of a new app that it says will make it easier to find and manage all the documents, spreadsheets and more for Microsoft Teams.

The launch should address one of the key pain points for Microsoft Teams users who find themselves frantically searching for the right file or document to consult or send over on a call, instead providing a single hub with everything you need.

Microsoft Teams Files App

In its entry in the official Microsoft 365 roadmap, the new Files App for Microsoft Teams is described as offering " one place for all your content across chats, channels, meetings and M365".

Although there's little concrete information on what the new app will look like or how it will work just yet, the entry notes that users will be able to, "manage, organize and locate the content you need quickly and easily".

Users will also get a more consistent and familiar way finding experience, hopefully meaning an end to trawling through endless menus and confusing file options.

The new app is listed as being "in development" for the time being, with a scheduled general availability date of January 2023, so users hopefully won't have too long to wait. It is currently being worked on for desktop users only, but if it proves a success, will doubtlessly be rolled out to other platforms too.

The news is the latest file-sharing update to Microsoft Teams in order to make it a much easier platform to use within a work environment.

In a similar vein, Microsoft recently added the capability to delete or rename files in a channel and in your OneDrive folder in Teams. This should mean users of the company's cloud storage system have a much simpler time of finding and customizing the files they need the most within Teams and making sure they are labelled just how they want.

• Check out our rundown of the best online collaboration tools available

Microsoft has indicated that there could be some pretty seismic changes coming to the way it handles file sharing and collaboration through its OneDrive cloud storage solution, but its cryptic messaging leaves a lot to be answered for.

The company regularly updates and adds new features to its entire lineup, posting about them on its dedicated roadmap page. The latest in a series of OneDrive updates reads: “Sharing Experiences - simplifying external sharing”. 

Its summary shares little more in terms of detail: “We want to simplify the sharing journey when a customer would like to collaborate with someone outside of their organization.”

Sharing files in OneDrive

What we do know is that the update will first be coming to the web version of OneDrive, and that it could arrive as early as this month. We also know that it's in its testing stage.

Microsoft’s annual conference aimed at developers and IT pros - Ignite - is currently taking place, and has provided several juicy tidbits about OneDrive.

In a post on the OneDrive blog, author irfanshahdad explains that the OneDrive homepage has been “re-imagined”. The changes are more subtle than in-your-face, and revolve around some background work that surfaces recently accessed files and new filters for sorting by file type. 

There are also updates to sharing management, with new tabs for shared by you, shared with you, people, and meetings (the latter two doing a good job of categorizing shared files by the owner or the event). The demo on the company’s blog shows these working in tandem with other filters, like sort by file type.

The company is also working on an offline mode for its OneDrive web app, much like is the case with ‘Files On-Demand’ for its desktop clients. The so-called Project Nucleus will allow you to make changes, with edits uploading once an Internet connection is reestablished. 

• Check out the best secure file transfer solutions

Tracking down the files you need in Microsoft Teams should soon get a lot easier thanks to a new update from the company. The video conferencing service has revealed it will be adding the capability to delete or rename files in a channel and in your OneDrive folder in Teams.

Going forward, this means users of Microsoft's service, one of the best cloud storage providers in the business, should have a much simpler time of finding and customizing the files they need the most within Teams and making sure they are labelled just how they want.

Microsoft Teams and OneDrive

The Microsoft 365 roadmap entry explains how users will now simply need to access the files tab and select the file they want, then select More options (the three dots) on the file.

To rename or delete a file from your OneDrive, select More at the bottom of the Microsoft Teams app, then select Files. When the desired file is selected, click on the three dots and choose to rename or delete it.

The change will initially only be available for iOS users of Microsoft Teams, but a wider roll out should be on the cards soon. The feature has a scheduled release date of October 2022, meaning users won't have to wait too long to access it.

Accessing and sharing files in and across Microsoft Teams has long been a tricky challenge for users, with the company having to step in with new tweaks and features on multiple occasions.

This includes an upgraded UI for users when sharing their screen and content during a conference call, alongside a change in where the share tray is located, which is now housed at the top menu so it’s much easier for users  to access any files when needed.

Microsoft OneDrive has also enjoyed several upgrades recently in a bid to be more intuitive and user-friendly, with the tool set to receive a new feature that will allow it to automatically rename files without annoying users with alerts noting that their files or folders have not synced properly.

The change should even apply to files with names that contain invalid characters, with the likes of asterisks, forward and backward slashes, and even colons among those 

• Check out our comparisons: Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive vs iCloud)

Choosing the best cloud storage on the market is a difficult task as the market is extremely competitive these days, making it difficult to know which solution is right for you. Two of the frontrunners are Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive, standing head and shoulders above the competition when it comes to sheer market competition with an estimated three billion users between the two.

Whatever your specific needs, both Google Drive and OneDrive represent solid choices, which is why they are the two most popular cloud storage solutions on the market. On the most basic level, users will find that Google’s offering is more consumer-friendly - a reflection of its suite of personal cloud tools like Google Photos to Gmail. 

Microsoft OneDrive, on the other hand, focuses more on business customers. Both, however, have their eyes on business and personal users. The below guide will take you through the pros and cons of each solution, evaluating each on its features, performance, support and pricing. You could be forgiven for not being entirely sure which cloud solution is the best fit for your needs.

OneDrive vs Google Drive: Features

Users working on a Windows machine will have OneDrive installed by default, and it is the most obvious choice thanks to the way it integrates deeply into Microsoft's entire ecosystem. A whole range of files can be saved in OneDrive, including common documents, photos, videos, and PDFs. 

Even files that can’t be opened on a Windows computer can be saved in the cloud, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote files which is great for macOS users, but most users will end up running Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which come as part of the Microsoft 365 bundle on higher-tier subscriptions.

Drive also includes a secure storage feature called Personal Vault whose access is protected by two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security.

Like most - if not all - cloud storage services, there is a browser interface for on-the-go access to your files. Yes, it’s smooth and has plenty of user-friendly features like drag-and-drop and plenty of sharing options, but most users will get the best experience from using the desktop client.

This is because only Microsoft Office files can be edited online (using the company’s online versions of the apps). Any other file types - like Photoshop templates - will need to be downloaded then re-uploaded. Using the desktop client, edited files are automatically replaced, as OneDrive deals with syncing in the background with no input from the user.

There are iOS and Android apps, too, and both computer and smartphone apps give you access to offline files so you don’t necessarily need an Internet connection to access your work (though syncing will be paused until you regain a connection). 

Google Drive works in a similar way to OneDrive in that you have online storage that can be accessed from browsers, desktop clients and mobile apps, and the company also operates its own suite of business-oriented apps under the Workspace banner; the most prominent ones are Docs, Sheets, and Slides. As is the case with OneDrive, Google Drive can open Microsoft Office-based files - such as Word documents - however it cannot open Apple file types.

The key difference with Google Workspace apps is that they are online-only: they are accessed through the browser and there are no downloadable versions so an Internet connection is a must. In this day and age with Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots available mostly everywhere, that may not be an issue, but if you expect to be somewhere without Internet - like abroad - it’s worth considering when comparing OneDrive with Google Drive.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive: Performance

The desktop clients for both services work great for syncing files in the background, with options to download all files for offline access or keep them in the cloud to free up storage. Just remember that Google’s own files are typically managed online anyway. Both have controls for bandwidth throttling, too, if you need that sort of control.

In our tests, Google Drive uploaded a 1GB file in just under five minutes which is pretty impressive. OneDrive did the same in about a minute more. The difference is more obvious when comparing download speeds for the same file - less than two minutes for Google vs more than seven minutes for Microsoft. That said, these times are just indications and will vary constantly, even when using the same broadband connection.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive: Support

Because these cloud drives belong to two of the most dominating companies in the sector, and indeed the entire tech industry, you can expect support to be extensive. Both provide a large number of self-help articles for some of the simpler troubleshooting, but there are options for real-time support if your needs are more complex.

OneDrive has email ticket generation and phone lines, which are available after quite some digging through several pages. There’s no support for free plan members with Google, but paying customers get access to email, phone and live chat support which helps to cut down the waiting time for some queries. We would like to see a live chat option for Microsoft, too.

Google provides a dedicated Drive forum where an active community exists. Microsoft doesn't however have something similar although you should be able to put your questions in a more generic forum (Microsoft 365 and Office)

There is a cottage industry online based around informally providing support, often via how-tos and videos, to anyone looking for tips and tricks for both Google Drive and Microsoft Onedrive.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive: Pricing

Microsoft OneDrive starts off with a free 5GB storage plan, which is fairly average if not slightly unimpressive. It’s also a storage-only plan, while Google’s free tier gives access to its online word processing apps. It’s also a much more generous offer of 15GB, which is among the best available for free unless you want to consider TeraBox.

OneDrive’s cheapest plan - also storage only - is 100GB for $1.99 per month. If you want access to the company’s Office apps, you’ll have to upgrade to a Microsoft 365 package, of which there are two. A 1TB plan for $6.99 per month, or a family plan with 1TB each for up to six people for $9.99 per month, giving you a grand total of 6TB.

Google Drive paid plans include 100GB for $1.99 per month, which is cheaper than Microsoft’s equivalent plan, and a mid-range 200GB plan for $2.99 per month. The top-tier plan at $9.99 per month includes 2TB of storage. Each of these three plans can be shared among six family members, while the range topping 2TB plan adds access to VPN for mobile devices running iOS or Android as part of its Google One service. 

Business users will pay between $5 and $10 per user per month for cloud storage only, or between $6 and $12.50 per user per month for storage and Microsoft 365 apps. A trio of business plans offer 30GB, 2TB, or 5TB of storage to Google’s business customers for $6, $12, or $18 per user per month, and there’s a fourth plan for larger enterprises which is customizable.

It’s also common to see annual plans offering a discount for both providers, though these are more typical of personal plans rather than business subscriptions. Because most people will subscribe to a cloud storage long-term, they represent the best value for money.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive: Verdict

Not only does every cloud storage platform offer a slightly different proposition, but every individual or business’s needs will differ, too, so it’s impossible for us to say which platform is right for you. However, in most scenarios, we think Google Drive comes out in the lead thanks to its slightly lower prices and wider range of supported apps. The drawbacks are its lack of client-side software, and that some OneDrive Business plans may work out much cheaper, especially if you want a lot of storage.

Getting more complete control over your files should soon be a lot easier for Microsoft OneDrive users thanks to a new update.

The company has announced plans to introduce granular controls for request files, links and Anyone Links to its cloud storage platform.

This should mean that sharing files with your colleagues, co-workers or friends and family should become a lot more straightforward, and hopefully prevent them from being accessed by anyone you don't want.

(ed: Check out our comparisons: Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive vs iCloud)

Microsoft OneDrive sharing

Microsoft says that the changes will make it possible for customers to enable the Request Files scenario on OneDrives.

Currently, users have to also enable file & folder Anyone links, possibly allowing access to items that shouldn't have been shared or made accessible to others.

The update is currently listed as still being "in development" in the official Microsoft 365 roadmap, but has a scheduled general availability date of September, so may launch soon.

When live, Microsoft says it will be available to all OneDrive users across the web.

The update is the latest in a series of changes to Microsoft OneDrive as the company looks to ensure its service remains useful for customers embracing the hybrid working world.

The company also detailed how OneDrive for Business users will soon benefit from a dedicated feed that highlights recent activity associated with their files. A new Activity column in the ‘My Files’ page in OneDrive for Business Web will now show which of your shared documents have unseen edits and comments.

Microsoft also unveiled an update that gives users the ability to specify access permissions before copying a sharing link for a file, helping control who has access to their files.

Recently, it announced plans for a new feature that will allow OneDrive to automatically rename files without annoying users with alerts noting that their files or folders have not synced properly.

• Here's a list of the best cloud backup services around

Businesses have historically had to rely on in-house server rooms to store potentially terabytes of data, which have proven costly and require skilled workers to maintain. Individuals, on the other hand, have had less sophisticated options. While many anticipate their needs with a suitable built-in hard drive, those who need more space have often relied on external hard drive and the humble USB stick, which itself has limits in terms of data transfer speeds.

With global broadband speeds on the rise, people are turning to cloud drives for their data needs, but picking from the seemingly tens of options is not an easy thing to do.

When it comes to cloud storage solutions, there are two trains of thought: an online pot of storage that works very much like a hard drive, or a backup tool that stores your hard drive’s data securely online.

We put a big name from each of these categories against each other in this OneDrive vs iDrive showdown.

Microsoft OneDrive vs iDrive: Features

OneDrive is a Microsoft product that has long been a staple for Windows users, thanks to the way it integrates neatly into the native file management system, but there are also macOS, iOS, and Android clients that serve to give users access to their data pretty much everywhere (while an Internet connection will sync files in the first instance, it’s possible to download offline versions which is handy for traveling).

All but the most basic subscriptions come with the company’s suite of so-called ‘Office’ apps, which include the basics like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, among a few more. While this is great news for Windows users, macOS users using Pages, Numbers and Keynote may begin to feel that they are overpaying for a service they do not need. That said, while these files can be saved in OneDrive, Office apps cannot open them. The same cannot be said for Apple’s word processing apps which can indeed open Microsoft Office files.

There is browser access with a simple drag-and-drop interface, too, but the slickest operation by far comes from using the desktop clients which deal with syncing in the background. The bandwidth throttling is great for finetuning if you have a poor connection, but for most, this will remain untouched.

iDrive works differently to OneDrive in that its primary focus is to backup everything on your computer to an online space. It will make copies of everything on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android devices, as well as external drives if you’re one of the many who, in the past maybe, have resorted to outsourced storage. Yes, you can restore files from online, but we really like the additional option to send you a physical copy of your data - because we don’t all have access to the Internet all the time! Individual users can request these once per year while businesses can use the service three times per year for free - any more than this and all users will have to pay a $59.95 fee.

Microsoft OneDrive vs iDrive: Performance

We also really value not just the bandwidth throttling of the desktop clients, but also the fact that only changes that are made to documents are updated in the online backup, rather than the entire file which may include a lot of unchanged data, which helps to speed things up quite a bit.

• Cloud storage reviews: how we tested them

That said, we found iDrive to be a little slow on the uploading front. It dealt with our 1GB test file in just under 10 minutes, compared with OneDrive which uploaded the same file in around five minutes which we found to be fairly average when compared with over 20 other cloud drives and backup tools. 

OneDrive was let down by its download speed, though. It took over seven minutes to download that same file, compared with iDrive which managed it comfortably under three minutes. Still, the best we got from other competitors was under one minute, so neither excels. This is only an indication, though, as many users will find that their own broadband connection may be the limiting factor.

Microsoft OneDrive vs iDrive: Support

OneDrive users will find a huge number of self-help articles online which are fine for troubleshooting basic issues, but anything that requires real-time human support is better suited to the company’s email and phone support, which we found rather hard to find buried deep in several menus.

iDrive has a clear support page on its site, with a handful of phone numbers and an online form to create a ticket. There’s also an online chat popup window which is really valuable and helps the company to stand out.

Microsoft OneDrive vs iDrive: Pricing

OneDrive’s free plan offers 5GB of storage which is nothing special. There’s also a 100GB plan which costs $1.99 (£1.99) per month, but if you need access to Microsoft Office you’ll have to fork out $6.99 (£5.99) per month for the Microsoft 365 Personal plan, which comes with 1TB of space. Share this among six users (total 6TB, 1TB each) and you’ll pay $9.99 (£7.99) per month which we think is fairly reasonable. There are also annual plans which save you a bit of money, and given that most people will subscribe to a cloud storage platform long-term, we approve of these savings.

iDrive offers 10GB of free space which sounds great, but isn’t a lot in the scheme of backing up an entire computer. Users must commit to annual subscriptions, which start with 5TB for one user. It costs $79.50 per year, or $99.50 for 10TB. What’s great is that there’s no limit on the number of devices that can be backed up, so if you run multiple computers and also want mobile devices backed up, there’s no additional charge.

OneDrive business users will pay between $5 (£3.80) and $10 (£7.50) per user per month for storage only, or $6 (£4.50) to £12.50 (£9.40) for this plus Microsoft Office apps.

iDrive’s Teams plan comes with anywhere from 5TB for five users to 100TB for 100 users, costing between $99.50 and $1,999.50 per year. There’s also a Business plan that caters to an unlimited amount of users, costing from $99.50 per year for 250GB to $11,599.50 for 50TB. It’s worth noting that iDrive often runs deals, so it’s best to wait for a promotion to be running before you commit to spending a lot of money.

Microsoft OneDrive vs iDrive: Verdict

In the instance of cloud drive vs cloud backup, the decision comes down to your existing hardware. If you’re already running a computer with ample storage, iDrive’s backup solution may make sense. If you prefer to spend less on assets like computers, smartphones, and tablets, OneDrive may be more suitable, given that it can lift unused files off your device and keep them just in the cloud.

We think OneDrive offers the best proposition to individuals, sole traders, and even some SMEs, but if you’re part of a large business that processes terabytes of data, the more costly iDrive could be for you.

• Check out the very best in cloud storage

Cloud storage solutions are changing the way in which we work. We are now less reliant than ever before on in-house servers as we transition towards an online future.

In a race to get to the top, tens of companies battle with what they think is the ultimate cloud drive, each proposing a slightly different configuration in terms of encryption, business functions, and indeed storage space.

Two of the heavy hitters in this space are Microsoft OneDrive and Dropbox - but choosing between the two isn't easy. Although our Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage review and Dropbox cloud storage review will help, comparisons can be tricky. Both platforms have a good range of features, are constantly updated, and have the weight of a technology juggernaut behind them. That's why we've created this bespoke comparison looking at Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox. 

There are many things to consider when coming to an informed decision on whether OneDrive or Dropbox is the right cloud storage solution for your needs. First of all, individuals need to formulate what exactly their cloud needs are. Are budgeting concerns top of your list? In that case, you might want to see if either of the platforms is vying for the title of the best free cloud storage service. Or perhaps you're looking for the best cloud backup or the best cloud document storage.

In this head-to-head, we pitch the popular OneDrive against one of the original offerings: Dropbox so you can answer your cloud queries a little more easily.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox: Features

There is one key aspect that separates this pair of cloud drives, and that is the company behind them. Because OneDrive is owned by Microsoft - creator of the Windows OS - it has become the default option for many users, both personal and business. This has increased the pressure on Dropbox, which has responded by adding new features and finessing the existing ones.

Both solutions can save a whole range of file types, including documents, images, videos, PDFs, and many less common types. While both do require you to have separate apps installed to open many files - Photoshop, for example - Microsoft does bundle its suite of Office apps into many of its subscriptions, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To open a Word file in Dropbox, you will also need to have bought Microsoft Office, or have subscribed to Office 365.

The best experience by far comes from installing the desktop clients, which both handily sit inside the computer’s file management system like File Explorer or Finder. OneDrive sits a little more integrated into Windows computers with various tabs for aspects like Photos and even files saved on the Desktop, much like iCloud Drive works for macOS users, however, the key functionalities of both remain virtually the same.

Both have some of the best mobile apps for cloud storage drives, with access to things like offline files and automatic photo and video backup. If you use Dropbox Passwords - the company’s password manager - there is a separate app for this which is handy to carry any passwords saved on your computer over to your smartphone or tablet.

Dropbox has also branched out into e-signatures with its HelloSign feature, which resides inside any Word or PDF document. It’s worth noting that, while available on all plans, there is a cap of three signatures per month so for business users, it’s unlikely to replace other tools - or indeed a handwritten signature.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox: Performance

Unlike the Box desktop client, OneDrive’s computer software does allow for user control of network usage. Options include unlimited, an automatic limit, or a custom limit where the user can set a predetermined maximum bandwidth allowance, in KB/s. The closest Box comes to this is a warning on its mobile apps when uploading or downloading files over 20MB on mobile data.

• Cloud storage reviews: how we tested them

We used the same 1GB test file across a number of cloud drives when drawing comparisons between bandwidth throttling; among these were OneDrive and Dropbox. Both scored pretty averagely with a five-minute upload, though Dropbox was slightly quicker. OneDrive was let down by its slow (but not unbearable) download speed, compared with Dropbox’s lightning-fast sub-one-minute time. That said, these speeds are only an indication and many users will find that their results vary with different broadband connections.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox: Support

If you’re struggling with something in OneDrive, particularly navigation and settings, chances are you’ll be able to find a self-help article, of which there are seemingly hundreds. If your support request is a little more involving and you need to speak to a person, email and phone support are there, however, we found these hard to find, buried deep in several menus. 

Like OneDrive, Dropbox also provides a catalog of self-help articles. Finding real-time support is easier here, though, like most services, the best support comes from being logged in to your account. There’s an automated chat service that the company called ‘dropbot,’ too, but that’s as much help as many of the self-help articles.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox: Pricing

Microsoft offers an industry-standard 5GB of space for its free plan, while Dropbox gives users just 2GB which is a little underwhelming. 

In terms of personal plans, OneDrive starts with 100GB for $1.99 (£1.99) per month. If you’re willing to upgrade to 1TB for $6.99 (£5.99) per month - which we imagine most people will - it comes with Office 365, which includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The Family plan costs $9.99 (£7.99) per month, and with it comes the same 1TB and Office 365 plan for up to six people.

Dropbox offers individual users 2TB of storage for $11.99 (£9.99) per month or 3TB for $19.99 (£19.99) per month, as well as a family plan which provides a single 2TB pot of storage that can be shared among six users. Both plans have access to three e-signatures per month, but there is an additional 3TB solo plan with unlimited signatures which comes in at an expensive $31.99 (£30.99) per month.

Business users will pay between $5 (£3.80) and $10 (£7.50) per month with OneDrive just for access to cloud storage, or between $6 (£4.50) and $12.50 (£9.40) per month for access to Office 365 apps. Dropbox business plans cost between $15 (£12) and $50 (£40) per user per month, plus any applicable taxes. Both have access to an unlimited amount of storage (at a cost), however, we found OneDrive to be cheaper like-for-like.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox: Our Verdict

If you’re a Windows user, you’ll appreciate how neatly OneDrive integrates with the system and the apps you’re probably already running: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. That said, Dropbox sits in a similar position within the File Explorer window, and for macOS users, the experience is virtually the same too. 

That said, certain OneDrive plans do come with access to the Office 365 suite of apps, which makes it a more well-rounded package that offers something that Dropbox simply cannot. This, and the generally lower pricing, makes OneDrive the winner for us.

• Check out the very best in cloud storage

Companies that previously relied on in-house data servers are quickly turning to cloud-based alternatives, bringing with it many benefits including a reduction in capital outlay, maintenance costs, and space.

Whether these businesses are looking for the best cloud document storage, the best photo cloud storage, the best cloud backup, or simply the best cloud storage overall, it's highly likely that they've taken a close look at the huge variety of providers out there.

During their research, it's likely they've considered both OneDrive and iCloud Drive. They may even have read our Microsoft OneDrive cloud storage review or Apple iCloud Drive review to find out more about the respective solutions. 

There are few cloud storage drives more ingrained in any operating system than Microsoft OneDrive and iCloud Drive, which both form part of a much wider ecosystem that extends beyond software, blurring the boundaries with hardware. This head-to-head sets them apart in terms of features, performance, and maybe most importantly, value for money.

If companies remain unsure when assessing OneDrive vs iCloud Drive, then the below guide should help, comparing the two solutions by their feature list, support, pricing, and performance.

OneDrive vs iCloud Drive: Features

Both options have a particularly strong foothold in the cloud storage market thanks mostly to their associations - OneDrive belongs to Microsoft, which is responsible for Windows OS, while iCloud Drive is an Apple product that correlates with macOS.

Microsoft OneDrive integrates with the company’s own suite of apps, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, with several features built-in like auto-save and version history which make using Microsoft’s own products a clear choice. Users can store a whole range of file types, though, including images, videos, PDFs, and even Apple-only file types, such as Pages, Numbers, and Keynote files. 

This is just as true for Apple’s iCloud Drive, too, which can save most file types including Microsoft Office documents. What sets Apple apart, however, is the ability for its own apps to open Office file types, bringing a whole additional layer of compatibility to macOS, iOS, and iPadOS machines. Microsoft Office apps, on the other hand, cannot open Apple file types.

While both have browser access - and online versions of their own word processing apps - the slickest experience comes from downloading the desktop clients, which integrate handily into the native filing system. 

Users who work from a Mac will already have iCloud set up, as will Windows users with OneDrive - it’s just the simple matter of logging in and the syncing is taken care of.

Windows users seeking to use iCloud Drive should download the client, which is downloaded from the Microsoft Store. iCloud Drive documents and iCloud Photos both sit in the sidebar of the File Explorer, while Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Reminders need to be set up with some more involved configuration. We really value that iCloud’s Keychain can integrate with your browser on Windows - we downloaded an additional extension for Edge to bring all our passwords over with minimal hassle (that being said, we still recommend using the best password manager if you're serious about your credential security and want more useful features).

OneDrive for Mac works in a similar way: an app is downloaded from the App Store, and when configured, files are visible in the Finder window. Both have mobile apps for Android and iOS, too.

It’s worth noting that there are several tiers to OneDrive, which include business versions that can be managed centrally. iCloud Drive only has one iteration.

OneDrive vs iCloud Drive: Performance

Both performed well in terms of uploading files in our testing, completing a 1GB test file upload in a little over five minutes. It doesn’t really get any better than this. iCloud Drive downloaded the same file in around three minutes, while OneDrive took seven minutes. With our broadband speed, we would have liked to see a 1GB download in around one minute, however, it’s worth mentioning that most of the time, the desktop clients are left to run and sync in the background, and as such files will generally be available quite quickly.

• Cloud storage reviews: how we tested them

OneDrive vs iCloud Drive: Support

While there are plenty of self-help articles online for Microsoft’s OneDrive, getting any further help proved to be a little more challenging. Yes, there are email and phone support channels, but finding these buried deep in several menus is a bit disappointing.

Apple provides a library of self-help articles too, but getting real-time support is a whole lot easier. Finding phone and chat support is easy, and there’s even a mobile app with access to all the articles and real-time support, though this is only available on iOS. Any Apple devices linked to your iCloud account appear here, too, so you can get support for these fairly easily.

OneDrive vs iCloud Drive: Pricing

Both companies go head-to-head in offering similar propositions, so it’s no surprise that pricing is not too dissimilar. Both offer 5GB of free cloud storage, for instance. 

OneDrive paid plans start at $1.99 (£1.99) per month for 100GB of storage online, heading up to $6.99 (£5.99) per month for 1TB and access to the suite of Office apps. iCloud+ plans come with 50GB for $0.99 (£0.79) per month, 200GB for $2.99 (£2.49) per month, or 2TB for $9.99 (£6.99) per month. These paid iCloud+ plans also add iCloud Private Relay, which is designed to obscure your IP address, a tool to create unique, random email addresses called Hide My Email, support for custom email domains, and storage for one, five, or unlimited HomeKit Secure Video cameras if you use Apple’s Home app.

Every iCloud+ plan can be shared among six family members, however, Microsoft charges more for its 1TB Family plan: $9.99 (£7.99) per month.

As mentioned above, there are several business-oriented tiers for OneDrive: three 1TB plans and one with unlimited storage, costing between $5 (£3.80) and $12.50 (£9.40) per user per month.

There are no iCloud business plans, but there are bundles designed to save you money if you use Apple’s other subscription services. Called Apple One, the Individual plan ($14.95/£14.95 per month) comes with 50GB of storage and subscriptions to Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade. Family plans ($19.95/£19.95 per month) up the storage to 200GB, while Premier plans ($29.95/£29.95 per month) max out at 2TB, and add subscriptions to Apple News+ and Apple Fitness+. Both of these can be shared among six users.

OneDrive vs iCloud Drive: Our Verdict

Overall, pricing for iCloud Drive works out a little cheaper, and when bundled with other subscriptions, it makes a lot of sense. That said, OneDrive does offer Business plans with benefits like central admin management. All Apple devices get access to the company’s word processing apps for free, while certain lower-tier OneDrive subscriptions forgo this luxury.

While iCloud Drive does come out on top, most Microsoft users will find themselves using OneDrive for the sheer convenience and the fact that it integrates a lot better, but if you’re willing to let go of some convenience, we think iCloud Drive is the one to go for. Just remember, if you need access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, you’ll need a Microsoft 365 subscription.

• Check out the very best in cloud storage

In days gone by, companies would store their data on servers that would occupy vast spaces of their offices. With access to the Internet, these hard drives can now be located elsewhere, freeing up office space while helping to decrease an organization’s capital outlay.

This has opened up the door to a whole new type of problem, though, as tens of companies bid to make their offerings the best in the business. With each tailoring its own experience to customers in terms of pricing, encryption, and storage space - just to name a few variables - making an informed decision is key.

In this head-to-head we weigh up Microsoft OneDrive against Box, delving into what it is they offer, how they perform, and most importantly, their costs.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Box: Features

OneDrive is considered to be the default option for many Windows users - both of which are Microsoft products - if for nothing else but its deep integration into the operating system and the everyday tasks a user is likely to encounter. 

The cloud-based storage solution runs in conjunction with Microsoft’s suite of Office apps, the most relevant of which being Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and while these aren’t the only file type supported, features such as auto-save make them the most obvious choice for productivity. That said, it’s refreshing to see Windows offering support for competitor file types, such as Apple’s Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, as well as plenty of other common file types like PDFs, images, and videos.

For the best experience, users should install the desktop client which handily syncs in the background with no input needed from the user (beyond saving the file in the right place). This also allows users to open and edit non-Microsoft files (such as those mentioned by Apple, or Photoshop templates, for example) with minimal fuss. 

Yes, there is browser-based access to OneDrive, but this is where things become more limited. Online editing is limited to Microsoft’s own suite of products, so you’ll need to be using apps like Word unless you’re prepared to download non-native files and re-upload them after making changes.

There are iOS and Android apps, too, so getting access to your files shouldn’t be an issue wherever you are, as long as you have access to the Internet or you have downloaded files for offline use on your mobile device. 

Much like Microsoft OneDrive, Box integrates support for Office 365 apps, however these make up just a handful of the more than 1,500 apps supported by the cloud storage drive, including Slack, Adobe, Google Workspace, Airtable, DocuSign, and even automation service IFTTT. This all helps to make Box a really powerful tool for companies that rely on various technologies to get their work done. 

That said, the desktop client somewhat lets Box down. If you’re expecting it to sync files across your entire computer, then you may be disappointed. It instead occupies a single folder which you can place anywhere in your File Explorer or Finder window. That said, if you’re prepared to make that one extra (small) step of opening the correct folder, you can store all manner of documents within it and there’s nothing stopping you from setting up folders for photos, videos, documents, and so on to mirror the setup you may already be used to locally on your hard drive.

Team management features are spot on, too, with controls for file access, live collaboration, and history. Sharing both within and outside of an organization is about as easy as it gets, too.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Box: Performance

Unlike the Box desktop client, OneDrive’s computer software does allow for user control of the network usage. Options include unlimited, an automatic limit, or a custom limit where the user can set a predetermined maximum bandwidth allowance, in KB/s. The closest Box comes to this is a warning on its mobile apps when uploading or downloading files over 20MB on mobile data.

• Cloud storage reviews: how we tested them

In our testing, both pieces of software managed to upload a 1GB test file in around five minutes with a 35Mbps upload speed, which is fairly average. Box downloaded the same file in less than two minutes using a 300Mbps connection, which again is a fairly average time compared with other cloud drives we have tested. OneDrive took a little longer, however we suspect this might be more to do with the reliability of our connection rather than internal throttling, given the access to advanced throttling controls.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Box: Support

Microsoft OneDrive comes with access to a huge number of self-help articles which are great for troubleshooting easy-to-fix concerns, however we were disappointed with how hard it was to get live help. Buried deep inside several menus we were able to send off an email, and while response times are reported to be quick, we would prefer to see other options like live chat. Phone support is somewhere in there, too.

Box also benefits from a whole range of self-help articles, though these are combined with community threads too so not every solution will have come from Box themselves. Handily, there’s email, phone and chat support, so it should be easy for users to get support in a timely manner.

Overall, neither cloud service makes it particularly easy to get real-time support, which is a shame.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Box: Pricing

There’s not a lot that separates these in terms of the plans that are available: both offer free cloud storage options as well as bigger paid-for accounts for personal and business users. Pricing does vary slightly, and depending on which sort of user you are, this could sway your decision somewhat.

OneDrive’s free account comes with 5GB of storage and the full range of features, including online editing, sharing, the ability to keep desktop files in the cloud to save on space, and 30 days’ version history. Box comes with twice as much space - 10GB - however it does compromise with one one file version available and a 250MB file size limit.

OneDrive’s cheapest paid plan provides 100GB of space for $1.99 (£1.99) per month, which is significantly cheaper than Box’s cheapest paid plan which also provides 100GB of space (and an increased file size limit of 5GB compared with the free plan), for $14 (£11) per month. 

Individual OneDrive users can opt for 1TB of storage and access to Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Skype for $6.99 (£5.99) per month, while Family plans provide 1TB for up to six people for $9.99 (£7.99) per month.

There are no other personal plans for Box users beyond the 100GB plan, and because it’s significantly more expensive than the equivalent OneDrive plan, it can be hard to recommend.

In terms of business users, there are three OneDrive plans offering 1TB per user and a fourth plan with unlimited storage space. Depending on whether you want access to Office apps and other collaboration tools, you can expect to pay between $5 (£3.80) and $12.50 (£9.40) per user per month, however the OneDrive-only subscriptions require an annual commitment. All other business and personal accounts are priced monthly, with savings to be had for users who opt to pay annually.

Business users considering Box’s services will pay $7 (£5.50) per month for 100GB of space, or between $20 (£16) and $47 (£37.50) per month for unlimited storage, each tier adding higher file size limits, extra app integrations,§ and additional security measures. There is also an Enterprise Plus plan which comes with customized pricing. Business Box accounts require a minimum of three users.

Regardless of plan - personal or business - Box users can save around 25% by paying annually, which does make things more attractive.

Microsoft OneDrive vs Box: Verdict

With so many cloud storage solutions offering slightly different propositions, there’s never a clear winner, with each product appealing to a different audience. That said, OneDrive will likely be more popular thanks to its deep integration with computers (especially those running Windows OS) and its own range of apps that it calls Microsoft Office. 

Box, on the other hand, is especially appealing for its 1,500+ app integrations, including Microsoft’s Office, which can be handy for companies working with a wide range of software to get their work done. That said, OneDrive’s competitive pricing makes it a hard one to ignore.

• Check out the very best in cloud storage

Microsoft has announced a new design for its OneDrive platform as it reaches a landmark anniversary.

Launched in 2007 initially as a document storage space, OneDrive developed into an all-encompassing cloud storage offering for photos, videos, and other types of media, with a number of tweaks over the past decade looking to ensure better file management and collaboration.

"Today, we’re celebrating the 15th anniversary of OneDrive," the company wrote in a Microsoft 365 blog post. "We’d like to take a moment to thank you for using OneDrive, whether you’re tackling a big project at work, planning a family reunion, backing up important content to your new device, or connecting with friends and loved ones through photos and videos."

(ed: Check out our comparisons: Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive vs iCloud)

Microsoft OneDrive update

As part of its latest update, Microsoft OneDrive will now highlight your most relevant and recently used files in a similar manner to Google Drive, in the hope that it can save you some time in digging around for them.

While suggestions can be helpful, Microsoft has added file type filters in the ‘Recent’ view, in recognition that some workers may need access to a large number of files at any given time. If you desperately need daily access to an area of your drive, or you just prefer to be hyper-organized, specific libraries can be pinned to the ‘Quick access’ section on the left hand side of OneDrive’s homepage.

Additionally, in the style of Google Drive which has been around for almost precisely a decade, OneDrive’s new Activity column will “[surface] the most recent, unseen edits, and comments on your shared documents.” It’s visible from the ‘My files’ view, and is designed to make real-time collaboration a little easier.

OneDrive sharing

Microsoft’s services extend beyond OneDrive, with business users often straddling SharePoint and Teams borders, too. Continuity has historically been somewhat lacking, which Microsoft hopes with its new summer 2022 update it will be able to rectify.

Sharing controls are also more in tune across the web services, with a more “robust way to grant access to information, set granular sharing controls, see everyone you’ve shared files with and manage access settings across individuals and groups.” This is a move that could be seen as a counteraction against Google, which also recently tweaked its sharing sheet.

OneDrive photos

The company’s final update is designed to take on the curated libraries seen in the likes of iCloud Photos, and involves “[bringing] all your memories into a private, invitation-only feed that you can share with family and friends.” 

Much like Apple’s offering, comments and reactions take centre stage in this new photo sharing view.

Strangely, the updates have arrived in Australia first, with the United States and other countries to follow later this year. Users will be able to access the changes across the OneDrive mobile app for Android and iOS, as well as in their web browser.

• We've compared the best free cloud storage

Making sense of your unwieldy Microsoft OneDrive library could soon be a lot easier thanks to a new update.

The cloud storage platform is set to receive a new feature that will allow it to automatically rename files without annoying users with alerts noting that their files or folders have not synced properly.

The change should apply to files with names that contain invalid characters, with the likes of asterisks, forward and backward slashes, and even colons among those that will be replaced.

(ed: Check out our comparisons: Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive vs iCloud)

Microsoft OneDrive automatic renaming

In place of the invalid characters, Microsoft says that OneDrive will insert an underscore, hopefully providing a clearer way to keep track of those tricky files.

In its official entry on the Microsoft 365 roadmap, the feature is listed as still being in development, but has an Auugst 2022 release date, meaning a launch shouldn't be too far away.

Interestingly, the feature will initially only be available to Microsoft 365 users on Mac devices - with other platforms having to wait a little longer.

The news is the latest in a series of updates from Microsoft as it looks to ensure OneDrive remains a useful and intuitive platform for users everywhere.

Recently, the company announced the service is adding the ability to rename your "Add to OneDrive" shortcuts, hopefully making it a lot simpler to track down specific files and folders.

The company also detailed how OneDrive for Business users will soon benefit from a dedicated feed that highlights recent activity associated with their files. A new Activity column in the ‘My Files’ page in OneDrive for Business Web will now show which of your shared documents have unseen edits and comments.

It also unveiled an update that gives users the ability to specify access permissions before copying a sharing link for a file, helping control who has access to their files.

• Here's a list of the best cloud backup services around

Making sure you never lose that vital Microsoft OneDrive file should soon be a lot easier thanks to a new update coming soon.

The cloud storage service is adding the ability to rename your "Add to OneDrive" shortcuts, hopefully making it a lot simpler to track down specific files and folders.

The update sees users now able to rename shortcuts they have added using the "Add to OneDrive" feature within OneDrive web - a minor change, but one that's sure to be appreciated by users all over the world.

(ed: Check out our comparisons: Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive vs iCloud)

Microsoft OneDrive renaming

In its official Microsoft 365 roadmap entry, the company notes that the update is set to launch in June 2022, meaning it should be live within the next few weeks. When it does launch, it will be available to all OneDrive web users, including GCC and DoD users, showing the importance Microsoft is placing on the tool.

The update is the latest change to OneDrive in the last few months as Microsoft looks to make the service even more useful in the new age of hybrid working.

The company recently revealed OneDrive for Business users will soon benefit from a dedicated feed that highlights recent activity associated with their files. A new Activity column in the ‘My Files’ page in OneDrive for Business Web will now show which of your shared documents have unseen edits and comments.

It also unveiled an update that gives users the ability to specify access permissions before copying a sharing link for a file, helping control who has access to their files.

Microsoft 365 users will also soon benefit from better synergy between OneDrive and video conferencing platform Teams, with a new ‘Your Teams’ section being added to the ‘More Places’ page, allowing users to easily find and work with your files in Teams.

Although recent data collected by TechRadar Pro suggests Google Drive is currently the most popular cloud storage service by some margin, Microsoft will hope OneDrive improvements like these will help capture a larger portion of the business market.

• Here's a list of the best cloud backup services around

Microsoft has released a new version of Windows 11 that introduces tighter integration between cloud storage service OneDrive and the File Explorer app.

Available to members of the early-access program, Build 22593 allows Windows 11 users to configure OneDrive as the default File Explorer folder, for easy access to documents and other files stored in the cloud.

Until now, although users could add a OneDrive folder to the sidebar, File Explorer has always opened into a homepage designed to provide quick access to items stored on the local hard drive.

(ed: Check out our comparisons: Microsoft OneDrive vs Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive vs Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive vs iCloud)

OneDrive and Windows 11

In addition to the new home page option, the latest Windows 11 preview places a new OneDrive icon in the top right-hand corner of the File Explorer window.

Clicking the icon opens up a dropdown menu that displays information about the user’s OneDrive status, including remaining storage capacity and file syncing progress. The menu also allows the user to launch OneDrive in the web browser and tweak their account settings.

Although it’s not guaranteed that these new integrations will make it into a full-fat, public Windows 11 build, they are consistent with a number of further changes recently announced by Microsoft, which place greater emphasis on a blending of local and cloud experiences.

Last week, the company lifted the lid on a series of updates for Windows 365 that allow users to switch seamlessly between their local and cloud-based Windows 11 desktops.

Broadly, the upgrades are designed to provide users with easier access to their virtual desktop, while also preserving functionality in scenarios in which an internet connection is unavailable.

At the time, we were told that Microsoft is looking for ways to erase the traditional mental demarcations that separate what’s going on at a device versus cloud level, thereby enabling a level of flexibility previously unavailable to workers.

The OneDrive changes currently undergoing testing can be seen as a logical extension of this ambition.

• Protect against data loss with the best cloud backup services on the market

Via WindowsLatest

Microsoft has announced that OneDrive is now available as a native app for Macs running Apple's M1 chips.

While a number of top cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Box already support M1 hardware, Microsoft has been a bit late to the party this time around. 

The company released a OneDrive sync app in public preview for Apple M1 Macs back in December 2021, as well as one for Windows on Arm devices. However in January 2022, customers reported issues when using OneDrive's updated Files On-Demand feature which only downloads the content of files when they're needed.

Folder Backup

Now, Microsoft has made OneDrive sync for macOS generally available and according to The Register everything seems to be in order. 

However, the outlet didn't notice much of a speed improvement when compared to the original version for Intel-based Macs. Still though, cloud storage performance usually depends on the types of files being uploaded and synchronization method being used.

While M1 Mac owners will be pleased that OneDrive now runs natively on their systems, IT admins will likely be much more excited over the fact that Folder Backup (or Known Folder Move) is now in public preview.

The feature allows important folders on a macOS user's computer such as Desktop and Documents to be uploaded to OneDrive and used across different devices. However, without a subscription, only 5GB of files can be uploaded.

In order to test out Folder Backup, interested users must first be a OneDrive Insider with a Mac running at least masOS Monterey 12.1 according to a new blog post from Microsoft. The rollout of Folder Backup is also off to a slow start as the feature has only been enabled for 10 percent of OneDrive Insiders though it will roll out to the rest over the next few weeks.

Although many Mac users rely on Apple's own iCloud cloud storage, Microsoft OneDrive is a popular choice for businesses which is why the rollout of a native M1 Mac app is such a big deal.

• We've also featured the best cloud storage and the best cloud backup

There may soon be a way to cleanse your Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint accounts of pesky large folders, freeing up much-needed storage space and decluttering your mind for good.

The company is working on a new update for its cloud storage service that will allow users to delete large folders on Microsoft OneDrive and SharePoint Document Libraries on web.

The move will cover folders holding up to 10,000 items, meaning it could be the solution your overcrowded account needs to make some room for new items.

Microsoft OneDrive purge

The official entry on the Microsoft 365 roadmap notes that the feature is still in development for now, but should have a general release in March 2022. It is listed as being available to all Web users of OneDrive and SharePoint around the world.

With hybrid working now a common experience for most businesses, cloud-based services such as OneDrive have become pivotal to making sure organizations stay connected, wherever they may be located.

Microsoft recently revealed an update for OneDrive that will embed the cloud storage service more deeply into its productivity ecosystem by working more closely with its online collaboration app Microsoft Teams.

The idea is to use this heightened level of interoperability to make it as inconvenient as possible to break away from the Microsoft ecosystem, even if a company or individual has adopted just a small selection of services.

The company also recently made it easier for remote workers to ensure that important tasks don’t slip through the cracks with another OneDrive update that provides a dedicated feed to highlight recent activity associated with their files.

However, concerns were raised in a separate area of Windows recently when Microsoft was forced to admit that its data wiping tool didn't always completely clean everything it needed to.

Although data collected by TechRadar Pro suggests Google Drive is currently the most popular cloud storage service by some margin, Microsoft will hope OneDrive improvements like these will help capture a larger portion of the business market.

• Complete your remote working setup with the best video conferencing software and best business webcams

Microsoft is preparing an update for OneDrive that will embed the cloud storage service more deeply into its ecosystem of productivity and collaboration apps.

According to a new entry in the company’s product roadmap, Microsoft 365 users will soon benefit from a new synergy between OneDrive and Teams.

“In OneDrive, we are adding a ‘Your Teams’ section to the ‘More Places’ page to allow you to easily find and work with your files in Teams,” Microsoft explained.

The new feature is still under development for now, but is scheduled to roll out to all relevant customers in April.

Microsoft Teams, meet OneDrive

Although Microsoft remains the dominant brand in the office software space, Google stole the march when it came to bringing productivity tools into the cloud. In addition to the flexibility this afforded customers, the move also gave Google more freedom to build interactions between its apps.

While Microsoft has long offered web-based versions of its famous software, the company is now focusing more closely on tightening up the relationship between each of its services, extending all the way out to the Windows OS on which most business computers run.

The idea is to use this heightened level of interoperability to make it as inconvenient as possible to break away from the Microsoft ecosystem, even if a company or individual has adopted just a small selection of services.

The upcoming Microsoft 365 update is a reflection of this strategy, improving the fluidity with which users can utilize the file-sharing and management functionalities available with both OneDrive and Teams.

Other recent examples include the integration of Microsoft Teams and LinkedIn, the professional social network owned by Microsoft, and trade-in initiative designed to increase the volume of Microsoft hardware in office meeting rooms.

In addition to improving the interoperability of its apps, Microsoft is also working to ensure it is able to reach as wide an audience as possible. For example, the company recently announced a host of features aimed at frontline workers, a previously underserved demographic, as well as new accessibility functionality.

Although the latest Microsoft 365 announcement will have a comparatively small effect on the overall user experience, it’s one piece of a much larger puzzle Microsoft is attempting to assemble.

• Complete your remote working setup with the best video conferencing software and best business webcams

Microsoft OneDrive can now run natively on both Apple M1 Macs and Windows on Arm devices as the company has released a new sync app for its cloud storage service.

The software giant's OneDrive sync app for Apple Silicon and Windows on Arm is now in public preview and according to a post on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, OneDrive for Mac will be updated to be a universal app that runs on Macs with M1 chips in January of next year.

For those unfamiliar, unlike other chips built using the x86 architecture, Apple Silicon M1 uses an Arm-based architecture which is why the new OneDrive sync app was developed for both M1 Macs and Windows on Arm devices.

Arm support for OneDrive is arriving just in time as Qualcomm's exclusivity deal for Windows on Arm is set to expire soon and this means we'll likely see new Arm-based laptops running chips from Samsung, Mediatek and other chipmakers.

OneDrive sync for native Arm devices

According to a new blog post from Microsoft, Windows on Arm and Apple M1 Mac users can test out the new OneDrive sync app as it is now in public preview.

However, to enable the preview, you'll first need to join the company's Insiders ring and enable the preview in OneDrive's settings menu under the “About” tab. Once this is done, you may need to wait a bit to test out the OneDrive sync app as Microsoft says it will begin rolling it out to the Insiders ring over the next few days.

Microsoft isn't the only cloud storage provider working on a native app for M1 Macs as Dropbox also recently revealed that it is currently testing M1 support which it plans to make available next year. Meanwhile, both Google Drive and Box already natively support M1 Macs.

We'll likely hear more from Microsoft once its OneDrive sync app becomes generally available early next year.

Looking to move your files to the cloud? Check out our roundups of the best cloud storage and best cloud backup

Via The Verge

Millions of Windows users could lose access to their online cloud storage within weeks as Microsoft looks to encourage upgrading to the latest software.

The tech giant has warned that the OneDrive app will stop syncing with Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 on March 1, 2022, meaning users only have a few weeks to upgrade to a newer version or possibly lose access to their files.

Despite Windows 7 and 8 being initially released nearly a decade ago, the two operating systems still see millions of users, meaning many will need to get updating soon.

OneDrive for Windows support

"In order to focus resources on new technologies and operating systems, and to provide users with the most up-to-date and secure experience, beginning January 1, 2022, updates will no longer be provided for the OneDrive desktop application on your personal Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 devices," Microsoft's Ankita Kirti wrote in a blog post announcing the news.

"Personal OneDrive desktop applications running on these operating systems will stop syncing to the cloud on March 1, 2022."

The closure does not affect business users in the same way, with Microsoft saying that starting January 1, 2022, support for the OneDrive desktop application for business will be aligned with the Windows support lifecycle. 

Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are in extended support until January 10, 2023, however Windows 8 reached end of support on January 12, 2016, meaning it no longer receives vital security updates that keep devices safe from the latest cyber threats.

Microsoft says it advises upgrading your operating system to either Windows 10 or Windows 11 "to avoid disruption" - although it does note that many devices currently running Windows 7 or 8 may not fit the hardware system requirements for the latest software.

To see if your PC is compatible with Windows 11 system requirements, you can check out our guide above.

Looking to move your files to the cloud? Check out our roundup of the best cloud backup

Microsoft is working on two new updates for its cloud storage service OneDrive that will make it easier for users to locate their shared files and locations.

As online collaboration tools have become essential to the way both organizations and individuals work, more users have turned to cloud storage services to store their files. However, as more files are added to shared drives, finding exactly what you're looking can be a time-consuming and often tedious process.

For this reason, Microsoft has revealed that it will be adding a Quick access menu to OneDrive that will provide users with a list of their most recently visited locations.

When this feature becomes available next month according to a new post in the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, users will be able to visit the shared document sites they use most often with one click which should help boost their productivity. However, they'll also be able to pin frequently visited locations to the Quick access list to make them easier to find.

Moving Add to OneDrive shortcuts

According to a new blog post, Microsoft has received great feedback on its “Add to OneDrive” feature which first released last year.

Now though, in a separate post on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the software giant has revealed that users of its cloud storage service will be able to organize their Add to OneDrive shortcuts in their own private folders.

This new functionality is also expected to be available next month and after OneDrive users move shortcuts from My files to other OneDrive folders, they'll be able to access them from any device or browser.

While cloud storage can be a helpful tool for storing your files online, not being able to find the files and folders you need quickly can hamper productivity. Thankfully though, Microsoft will make it much easier to find exactly what you're looking for in no time at all when these two new features become generally available next month.

Looking to move your files to the cloud? Check out our roundups of the best cloud storage and best cloud backup

If you're using OneDrive on Android and have been unable to sync the photos and videos from your camera roll to Microsoft's cloud storage service, you're not alone and the company is currently working on a fix for the issue.

With more than 1bn downloads worldwide from the Google Play Store, Microsoft OneDrive is a popular way for Android smartphone users to backup their photos and videos to the cloud.

Despite OneDrive's popularity, according to user reports on the Microsoft Community site and on social media, camera upload errors have long been a problem for both desktop and mobile users of the service since at least 2018.

• We've built a list of the best cloud storage services around
• These are the best cloud backup solutions on the market
• Also check out our roundup of the best cloud storage for photos

Android OneDrive users that are experiencing syncing problems with the cloud storage service have begun seeing an error message which reads: “Camera upload is paused. To activate camera upload, give OneDrive permission to access your photos and media”.

Microsoft has a workaround

Although Microsoft's engineers are currently in the process of finding a permanent fix for this issue, the company has come up with a workaround that involves tweaking OneDrive's permissions.

According to Microsoft, you'll first need to set OneDrive's Media/Camera permissions to Deny and enable “Camera upload” for your account from the app's settings menu.

To get started, OneDrive users on Android need to go to their phone's settings menu, find Permission Manager and then head to the Files and Media section. Here you'll select OneDrive from the app list and choose Deny. Next you need to go back to the OneDrive app and select Me. Under the app's settings menu, go to Camera upload and enable this feature to finish the workaround.

We'll likely hear more from Microsoft once the company's engineers come up with a permanent fix but until then, it might also be worth checking out our list of the best cloud storage for photos in case you want to find an alternative to OneDrive in the meantime.

• We've also highlighted the best external hard drives

Via BleepingComputer

Microsoft’s OneDrive has made significant improvements and is now competing with Dropbox and Google Drive as a top cloud storage option. OneDrive is well-integrated with Microsoft 365 Office apps and the Windows operating system. It's built into Windows 10 and Windows 11, and separate client tools are available for macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as a web browser portal.

• You can sign up for Microsoft 365 here

Cloud storage deals

OneDrive: Pricing & plans 

Microsoft OneDrive offers 5 GB of free cloud storage for personal use, with various subscription plans available. The free plan includes access to online-only versions of Office apps, similar to Google’s G Suite.

For $1.99 per month, you can get a 100GB storage plan that mainly offers an ad-free version of Outlook.

There are two Microsoft 365 plans available: the 1TB Personal plan for $6.99 a month and the 6TB Family plan for $9.99 a month, which provides 1TB of storage for up to six people. Both include access to Skype and the Office apps (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and can be downloaded on up to five computers. Although more expensive than iCloud Drive and Google Drive, which both offer 2TB of storage, annual subscriptions for OneDrive offer some slight discounts. However, this doesn’t significantly undercut its rivals, as they provide similar incentives.

Various business plans are available for business features such as user management and advanced file auditing. If paid annually, they start at $5 per user per month, which gets each user 1TB of space but does not include Microsoft Office apps. More expensive business packages are available, including unlimited cloud storage for every user or the Microsoft 365 apps, but not both, with prices climbing to $12.50 per user per month.

OneDrive: Interface & experience 

When running Windows, OneDrive shows up in the navigation pane, right alongside Documents, Desktop, and everything else, to quickly right-click on files and folders to move them to the cloud or make sure you've got local copies available. It's seriously slick and easy to use.

Alternatively, the web interface, which can be accessed from any computer using your Microsoft ID, lacks a level of sophistication. It doesn't have the stylish simplicity Google Drive or Dropbox. But it does get the job done of displaying your media, sharing your files, and letting you move files around, but it hardly has any panache.

On other interfaces, it's a mixed bag. The syncing client for macOS isn't anything that notable, but like the web interface, it covers everything you're going to need without getting too confusing, running from the menu bar, and can optionally start up with macOS. Unfortunately, it tends to get a little bit in the way of Apple iCloud Drive though.

That said, the desktop client does offer extra control for things like throttling bandwidth and saving files to your computer or storing them in the cloud only, both of which help you to free up space or speed on your computer.

Perhaps on the mobile front is where OneDrive does its best work. The apps for Android and iOS are elegant and intuitive to use. Users are enabled to jump around folders and files with a few swipes and taps. There’s a decent level of control within them for passcode protection and mobile data use, though some other cloud drive apps offer more thorough management.

We found the apps particularly strong at syncing and displaying photos and videos that have been snapped on the smartphone. Although OneDrive has plenty of competition in this area, not least from Google Photos and a host of the best Google Photos alternatives, it’s one of the best photo cloud storage apps out there.

By the very nature of a cloud drive, users will be minimizing their use of physical devices in favor of an access-anywhere nature. Part of this may involve eliminating the home printer, which has long served as a scanner, too. We like the handy document scanning feature in the app, and while it will never match the quality of a dedicated scanner, it does its job very well. 

OneDrive: Features 

Microsoft OneDrive works similarly to other well-known consumer cloud storage options, such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and Apple iCloud Drive. You specify the files and folders you want to be backed up, and they get automatically synced with copies in the cloud, along with the other computers and devices that you've got OneDrive set up on.

On initial setup OneDrive will create a dedicated folder in your home directory, though you can change the location of this if you wish. Any files you place there will automatically be synced to the cloud.

It should come as no surprise that OneDrive works best on Windows. Much like iCloud Drive is closely intertwined with the macOS experience, OneDrive offers seamless performance for those running Microsoft’s operating system.

What it doesn't do is provide unlimited, bare metal backup of devices. This means that you'll need to reinstall operating systems, settings and applications should the worst happen in a catastrophic drive failure, as OneDrive only takes care of your files. External drives and NAS drives aren't supported. So, it’s not a full cloud backup service. In fairness, this is common for this consumer-facing type of cloud storage service. Google Drive and iCloud Drive also only backup files and not an entire hard drive. OneDrive can also bring back previous versions of your files from as far back as 30 days ago.

Drop a file or folder into OneDrive, and it gets synced to the cloud and your other devices. If you want to save space on your local machine, the option is to just keep a copy in the cloud, which is handy. During our tests, we noticed that files copied to the OneDrive folder were stored in the cloud only by default. However you can right click files or folders and choose ‘Always Keep on this Device’.

Sharing files and folders with other people is a breeze too, as OneDrive can generate a link for you.

For sharing, when you opt to store Office files like Microsoft Word and Excel in OneDrive, extra features are unlocked. This includes auto-saving, so you never lose your work, and advanced online collaboration tools. These let you work on files simultaneously with other people, right inside the desktop applications or on the web. 

Additional tricks include being able to play audio and video files directly from the web, and using AI-enhanced search on your photos.

We especially like OneDrive’s Personal Vault. Whether you’re a personal or business user, or using it as a family, security needs to be top of mind for cloud storage. This vault adds an extra layer of security when it’s required. Files, including photos and videos, can be protected with additional authentication like biometrics, a pin, or a one-time code sent by SMS or email.

OneDrive: Security 

With the whole Microsoft account and Microsoft 365 subscription running, OneDrive gets protected by 2FA, which is reassuring. This means that even if your username and password are exposed, access to your files and your account is still going to be blocked. 

The Personal Vault feature requires yet another layer of authentication, like a fingerprint or a PIN, for access. However, currently, OneDrive doesn't protect the names or hashes of files, even when they're locked in your personal vault. The Microsoft Support pages also doesn't say exactly how the data is protected inside the vault, for example through more robust encryption. 

AES 256-bit encryption protects files in transit and at rest, which is not the same as end-to-end encryption, meaning that Microsoft engineers can access your data when needed such as for a restoration. Microsoft promises this is tightly controlled. Microsoft stores the files across multiple data servers as well, to further guard against data loss, and overall, we consider it an impressively robust system. 

As OneDrive isn't open source, there's no way to be certain that encryption and authentication is being done in the most secure way. Still, the platform is compatible with popular cloud encryption tools like BoxCryptor, so you may want to use this with OneDrive for extra peace of mind.  

OneDrive: Our tests 

We conducted three important tests to measure the sync speed, file recovery, and versioning on OneDrive. The tests were performed on a Windows 11 virtual machine with the OneDrive desktop client installed. Our virtual machine was connected to the internet through a fiber broadband connection via a VPN server, which consistently showed an average upload speed of 2260 Mbps in speed tests.

• Test 1 - Sync speed

We conducted a test to measure OneDrive's synchronization speeds. We copied a 589 MB folder containing 232 files in seven folders with various file types (including PDF, JPG, Microsoft Word, and more) into the application directory. Then, we monitored how quickly the desktop client synced the files to the cloud.

We placed the test folder in Onedrive/Documents. The client showed the upload progress of each file and provided a progress report at the top of the window to indicate the number of files remaining.

Our average upload speed was 2260 Mbps, and we were delighted to observe that the total data took just under 58 seconds to upload. This performance surpassed other recently tested solutions, including pCloud and Nordlocker.

• Test 2 - File recovery

We tested file recovery by deleting a test folder from the application directory on the device. Then, we checked whether the files were removed from the cloud drive and whether we could recover them.

After the folder was deleted, it automatically went to OneDrive's recycling bin, indicating that the technology was still on the drive. Files in the recycling bin stay there for 30 days before being automatically deleted, but you can also delete them manually at any time.

We could recover the deleted folder in the recycling bin by right-clicking on it at any time.

We let the files sync and then deleted the test folder. Upon opening the OneDrive desktop client, we immediately saw the Recycle Bin option. Clicking on this launched the OneDrive web portal, and we immediately saw all the deleted files listed. We chose to restore them, only to find an empty folder in the OneDrive directory without any files.

• Test 3 - Versioning 

We tested OneDrive's versioning capabilities by uploading a .docx file to the cloud application folder. After it synced, we deleted all the text except the introduction, then saved and closed the document. We then attempted to restore the document to its original form. 

Upon reopening the client app, we found the file listed. Clicking on it immediately showed the Version History option. When we clicked on it, a helpful popup window displayed the various versions of the document, including the original one that we chose to restore. The restored version of the file opened without any issues.

OneDrive: Verdict 

OneDrive really deserves to be considered in context, as for a dedicated Windows user, and for those that make regular use of the Microsoft 365 suite, then OneDrive follows as a cloud storage extension to other Microsoft products. However, as an add-on for macOS, Android, or iOS, we found it less useful - unless you’re looking at cloud storage for photos. 

Put another way, it's not about the features or the pricing of OneDrive that makes it a good or a bad deal, it's really more dependent on what software and services you're currently using. 

We appreciated the extra security features such as 2FA and the Personal Vault. On the other hand, we would’ve appreciated more information and transparency on exactly how OneDrive protects your data both within the vault and in transit. Ideally this would be done through making the client app 'open source', so the code could be reviewed by the community, but frankly this is very unlikely to happen considering Microsoft Windows itself is proprietary software. 

What we can say for sure is that OneDrive has matured to reliably take care of all your file backup and syncing needs across multiple platforms.

• Our Microsoft discount codes can help you save on your next purchase.

After teasing a 64-bit version of its cloud storage solution earlier this year, Microsoft has revealed that its updated version of OneDrive is now available in public preview.

While the software giant first released a 64-bit version of Windows back in 2003, up until now users could only access a 32-bit version of the software to store their files, photos and other documents. The problem with running 32-bit software on a 64-bit version of Windows 10 is that 32-bit programs can only access 4GB of system memory even on systems with higher amounts of memory. 

• We've assembled a list of the best cloud storage services available
• These are the best free cloud storage solutions on the market
• Also check out our roundup of the best business cloud storage

By making OneDrive available as a native 64-bit application, users will likely see a performance increase as the software can now use more of their available RAM.

64-bit OneDrive

In a new blog post, Microsoft's Ankita Kirti explained that the new 64-bit version of OneDrive will make it easier to transfer large files, saying:

“The 64-bit version is the right choice if you plan to use large files, if you have a lot of files, and if you have a computer that's running a 64-bit version of Windows. Computers running 64-bit versions of Windows generally have more resources—such as processing power and memory—than their 32-bit predecessors. Also, 64-bit applications can access more memory than 32-bit applications (up to 18.4 million Petabytes).”

It's also worth noting that at the moment the 64-bit version of OneDrive is only available for systems running Intel or AMD processors. For now, users with ARM64 devices will need to continue using the 32-bit version of the software.

Interested users can download the 64-bit version of OneDrive here for use with their OneDrive work, school and home accounts.

• We've also featured the best cloud storage for photos

Via Engadget

The Android version of Microsoft’s file-hosting service, OneDrive, has received a significant update. The new features include a revamped home screen, as well as support for Samsung Motion Photos and 8K video playback.

The most notable change, of course, will be the updated home screen, which will now include three main sections for personal account holders: recently accessed files, offline files, and “On This Day” photos. 

Work or school account holders, meanwhile, will see shared libraries in place of the “On This Day” feature. Fans of the old home screen can still access the root view of their files by clicking the Files tab.

• Check out our list of the best cloud storage services right now
• We've built a list of the best photo storage available
• Here's our rundown of the best free cloud storage services around

“The updated home experience now appears on both OneDrive for Android and, as previously announced, on OneDrive for iOS,” Paul Diamond, the product marketing manager for Microsoft OneDrive, explained. “It’s available for OneDrive work, school and home accounts. To get the new home experience on your Android device, you will need Android version 6.0 or higher and OneDrive for Android version 6.21 or above.”

Microsoft's Samsung partnership

Other noteworthy additions to OneDrive center on its video playback functionality. OneDrive Android users will now be able to play Samsung Motion Photos – a recently launched feature that allows Samsung device owners to capture a few seconds of live video before a picture is taken.

In addition, although OneDrive has always allowed storage of 8K videos, owners of select Android devices will now be able to play those videos back within the OneDrive app. Individuals with the Samsung Galaxy S20 or the S21 series will now have the option of viewing full-resolution 8K videos from their smartphone.

The new OneDrive update, which has previously been launched for users of the iOS app, is available now for Android users .

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Via 9to5Google

Apple iCloud Drive continues to add new features and improvements, and they're certainly needed: Apple was slow out of the blocks with iCloud. For a long time, the service lagged behind the more polished of the best cloud storage providers, like Microsoft, Google, and Dropbox.

There are signs of Apple finding its feet with iCloud Drive though. The addition of new features like folder sharing is welcome, and integration with macOS and iOS keeps getting better all the time.

• You can sign up for Apple iCloud Drive here

iCloud Drive: Pricing & plans 

Apple provides 5GB of free storage with iCloud Drive, which is less than what's offered by Google Drive but similar to OneDrive. If you need more space, you can choose from five paid tiers: 50GB for $0.99 per month, 200GB for $2.99 per month, 2TB for $9.99 per month, 6TB for $29.99, or 12TB for $59.99. These prices may vary by country.

The paid plans, known as iCloud+, also come with additional features such as iCloud Private Relay for online anonymity, Hide My Email for creating unique email addresses, support for custom email domains, and storage for HomeKit Secure Video-compatible cameras.

Additionally, there are three Apple One bundles available. The individual bundle includes 50GB of iCloud+ storage, along with Apple Music, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade subscriptions for $19.95 a month. The family plan offers 200GB of iCloud+ storage for $25.95 a month, while the premier plan includes Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and 2TB of iCloud+ storage for $37.95 per month.

iCloud Drive is most suitable for users already within the Apple ecosystem, and there are various options and bundles available to cater to different user needs.

iCloud Drive: Interface 

It’s no surprise that iCloud Drive is tightly integrated into macOS and iOS. Even if you don't sign up for extra storage, and don't use iCloud as your photo cloud storage, it's still deeply embedded in operating systems, if only to manage app backups and calendar and contact syncing.

iCloud Drive is right there inside the Finder on macOS, and you can also find a variety of options in System Preferences too. While it isn't able to back up an entire machine, it gets pretty close considering you can reinstall macOS and your programs from the web. Just about everything else that matters can be stored in iCloud. From what we can tell, file transfers are usually speedy and almost instantaneous.

If you're using iCloud Drive for Windows, the app will sit quite happily in your system tray. Just don't expect a great deal of feedback, as if you're syncing files it will simply tell you the number remaining, not report back on progress. 

Over on iOS, there is now a dedicated Files app with its own iCloud Drive section. You can copy, move, delete and share files without too much trouble, and everything has the usual visual appeal and slickness you would expect from Apple.

Support is non-existent for Android though – unless you count logging into the iCloud web portal in an Android browser, which is a tortuous process. 

No matter which platform you use, iCloud Drive doesn't have the advanced feature seen in other cloud storage clients such as being able to limit download/upload speeds. 

On the other hand the iCloud website has improved significantly in recent years, making it much easier to get at your files. You still can't stream videos directly from the web, unfortunately, but you can stream audio files as long as they're saved in common formats as well as preview images. 

We especially like the way that Files for iOS can display other cloud drives - like Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive - directly in the app. Not only does this eliminate the need to go in via the third party app (it still needs to be installed on your device), but it should make syncing and accessing files easier with Apple offering a better, more consistent user experience for native apps.

In terms of the interface, everything about iCloud Drive is pretty much in line with the other software Apple makes. It's mostly polished and smooth, with a few occasional quirks. At least iCloud Drive no longer looks like a tagged-on afterthought whenever it appears, which was the case when it first appeared.

iCloud Drive: Features 

As well as backing up data from certain apps - and this is really dependent on the app developer working with Apple to ensure compatibility - iCloud Drive is now a user-facing, more conventional cloud storage service:. It has its own entries in the Finder on macOS, and has its own apps on iPhones and iPads. The idea is you can back up anything you like, from PDF documents to images, to Apple's servers and get at it from anywhere.

To sign in to iCloud Drive, you'll need to create your own Apple ID. If this is the first time you've used one, you'll need to sign in to a Mac or iOS device first before being able to use iCloud Drive for windows.  

Our tests showed that iCloud Drive is only really of use for those on Apple hardware anyway. 

We found the biggest advantage to the software is that it just works without needing our attention or interference: it's not as hidden as it once was, but it's still designed to operate largely in the background, syncing your important files between mobile and desktop devices. Anything that gets added to your iCloud Drive is synced to the web, and on a Mac you can opt to include the Desktop and Documents folders as well.

iCloud Drive can run unobtrusively, automatically syncing files and optimizing space on your Mac’s hard drive. A couple of tests using the browser portal on an Apple device brought up the results we were expecting: the service can keep up with its competition and your own broadband connection is likely to be the limiting factor.

Because iCloud Drive is so closely integrated with the macOS experience, finding the various settings can pose its own challenges. Many of the user’s day-to-day experiences will lie in Finder, but certain settings are found in System Preferences - the app that controls computer-wide settings.

This includes the option to toggle on and off Optimize Mac Storage, which promises to keep files downloaded to your computer if you have enough space, and to remove these local copies as and when you run out of space. Other cloud storage solutions offer this too, but Apple is smart in the way that it optimizes this based on your frequently used files - it’s not as black and white as on or off. While this is great, some users would prefer more control over this, which cannot be had.

Basic file and folder sharing is included, but there's no native versioning for all files, so you can't get back older versions of files. Collaborating with others is best done using the macOS and iOS apps, however there is basic browser access for those working from other operating systems.

iCloud Drive: Security 

While iCloud Drive data is encrypted to keep it safe from prying eyes, not everything is end-to-end encrypted by default – that means Apple can technically get at the data if it wanted to, though there's no reason to suspect it would. Many other cloud storage services take the same approach, not least to make sure your files can be accessed easily from anywhere. 

Still, in 2016 Apple faced off with the FBI by refusing to create a 'backdoor' into a suspect's iPhone, citing user privacy. Since then, with iCloud's Standard Data Protection, certain data is protected via end-to-end encryption such as Health and the passwords stored in your iCloud Keychain. 

As of iOS 16.2 and macOS 13.1, iCloud users can also choose to enable Advanced Data Protection. This protects even more services with end-to-end encryption including iCloud Backups, Photos, Notes and more. Apple's Support Pages lists exactly what's secured in this way and what isn't. 

Apple accounts can also be protected with two-factor authentication and we would strongly recommend that you switch this on. This means that even if your username and password are exposed, unwelcome visitors can't get at your data without an extra code that's displayed on your phone or laptop - or, of course, by SMS. Apple has confirmed that signing in via 2FA is mandatory for new Apple ID's anyway, which is a huge step in the right direction. If you're already signed on an Apple device, you can approve login requests on new ones via a code. 

Overall, we found Apple and iCloud Drive do an impressive job of data security.

iCloud Drive: Our tests 

We conducted tests on sync speed, file recovery, and versioning in Apple iCloud Drive using a Windows 11 virtual machine with the Windows iCloud desktop client. The virtual machine was connected to the internet via fiber broadband and a VPN server, which exhibited an average upload speed of 1100 Mbps.

• Test 1 - Sync speed

After setting up iCloud Drive on Windows, the client automatically created an 'iCloud Drive' folder in our home directory.

To test the speed, we uploaded a 589MB folder with 232 files of various formats across seven folders to the iCloud web portal. This folder included PDFs, JPGs, Microsoft Word documents, and more.

Unlike similar solutions, we couldn’t upload files directly into folders. Instead, we had to upload each file separately or in a group. We did this by dragging the files to iCloud. Throughout the process, we were not informed about the remaining time, and some files simply wouldn’t upload for no apparent reason. The whole process took about 90 seconds.

• Test 2 - File recovery 

The next test involved deleting files and folders and seeing whether we could recover those seamlessly. You could do this effectively and also delete the files permanently manually. Otherwise, deleted content is automatically removed from iCloud within 30 days. 

• Test 3 - Versioning

This brings us to versioning. In this case, we had no problem uploading an Apple-based document such as Pages, making an edit, and then seeing different versions in the web application. Unfortunately, this isn't possible with non-Apple documents such as Microsoft Word unless they are saved into an Apple file. 

iCloud Drive: Verdict 

iCloud Drive is a lot better than it used to be, and is now a proper cloud storage solution to compete with rivals from Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, and others. However, despite recent improvements, it still doesn't offer quite as much as those other services – most obviously when it comes to having an Android app of any description, but also with lacking advanced features such as versioning and selective sync.

There are better cloud storage services out there. But if you’re already an Apple user, you’ll find iCloud Drive so well integrated into the company’s devices and apps that you might never need to switch to an alternative. macOS and iOS will always default to iCloud, so it's the most convenient option, but if you're otherwise looking to pay for a service we think your money is probably better spent elsewhere.