Microsoft has confirmed that OneDrive Web will soon have an offline mode, allowing users to access their files without an internet connection in their web browser (via Neowin).
This announcement came after a promotional leak hinted at potential features to be unveiled at Microsoft's OneDrive event scheduled for October 3rd. The coming OneDrive offline mode will enable users to “view, sort, rename, move, copy, and delete files” even in the absence of internet connectivity. For files stored locally and marked as “always available offline,” users can open and work on them via a browser while offline. All changes made offline will automatically sync once an internet connection is re-established.
Anticipated Release and Features
According to Microsoft's 365 Roadmap, the preview version of the OneDrive offline mode is expected to launch in November 2023, with general availability slated for December 2023. This feature, identified by the feature ID 168618, was added to the roadmap recently. The offline mode is seen as a significant enhancement, especially considering the occasional outages experienced by Microsoft 365 services, including OneDrive.
AI Integration: The Future of File Management
Beyond the offline mode, there's speculation about AI integration in OneDrive. A leaked video hinted at AI capabilities with a search bar displaying the text “Help me get organized,” suggesting AI-driven features to assist users in organizing their files.
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Microsoft has been emphasizing AI in its recent announcements, making AI integration into OneDrive a plausible next step. Potential AI features could include automatic folder creation based on content type or file creation date. With Microsoft's increasing focus on AI, as evidenced by products like Bing Chat, Microsoft Designer, and Window Copilot, further AI-centric announcements are anticipated at the upcoming Surface event.
