Maybe it’s because it’s the new year, or maybe it’s because of all the hullabaloo around the district internet and servers over break, regardless, now is a great time to move your files off your computer (and/or district servers) and into the cloud.
OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage solution that is included through Office 365.
OneDrive let’s you store files and documents on the internet (safely inside of Office 365) so that you can access them from any device that has an internet connection. Another benefit is that everything is stored and backed up by Microsoft, so local outages (like we experienced in December) won’t prevent you from getting to your files.
Over the last couple of years, Microsoft has really improved the experience and worked hard to ensure that OneDrive is reliable and user friendly. You can store over 300 file types and easily share them. You can also easily collaborate with office documents uploaded to (and created in) OneDrive.
So, read below on how you can migrate your files from your computer and district network drive to OneDrive and get started working in the cloud.
Getting Started
Getting started is pretty easy. Begin by logging into Office 365 at Office.com
Once logged in, you will see a series of tiles for all of your favorite Office tools. One of them (probably the second one) will say OneDrive and have a picture of a blue cloud.
Click on that cloud.
If you have never used OneDrive before it may give you a series of screens that say something about setting stuff up. Just click through these.
You will see a menu on the left and then your files and folders on the right (if you have any.) This is where your new files will be displayed and is the easiest way to see your OneDrive files.
From this screen you can create new Office files and new folders.
You can also upload files and folders from here. You will notice a button with an upload button with an arrow next to it on the top menu.
If you have folders on your desktop or on the school network drive you can use that upload button to get copies of those files uploaded to OneDrive.
When you click it you will see an option for files or folders. Click on your preference and then follow the windows to find your files or folders.
If you choose to upload a folder, OneDrive will upload all of the sub-folders and files in the folder. This is great if you have spent years building out your file library.
ProTip
If you have an extensive file structure on your desktop or on the school network, you may want to upload in batches rather than grabbing just the top level. OneDrive will grab all of those subfolders and files but it will be harder to double check and make sure the structure in OneDrive matches what you’ve built on your computer or the network.
Now all you have to do is wait for them to upload.
Once uploaded there are many great ways to use OneDrive. You can learn some of these rad things by following the links below.
Share Documents and Folders With OneDrive
What All Those Sharing Options In OneDrive Really Mean
One last thing, there is a OneDrive Sync program that you can download that let’s you manage your OneDrive files using File Explorer (the file thingee you click on that shows your the folders on your computer.) You can learn how to set that up here.
BITS AND PIECES 