HomeWinBuzzer NewsMicrosoft Expands OneDrive Storage to 10TB, Adds AI Tools

Microsoft Expands OneDrive Storage to 10TB, Adds AI Tools

Microsoft has unveiled new features for OneDrive, including expanded storage options, enhanced AI capabilities, and a redesigned mobile app.

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Microsoft is boosting OneDrive’s capabilities by rolling out new storage options and enhanced AI features. The updates, introduced at the October 8 event, bring storage upgrades and new tools to streamline file management, aiming to serve both individual users and businesses.

Expanded Storage Limits and Faster Performance

The most noticeable update is the introduction of higher storage capacities, with new tiers offering 5TB and 10TB for Microsoft 365 subscribers. The company says these options will arrive by year’s end, catering to users who require more space than the current 2TB plan allows. The change aligns OneDrive with other cloud storage services, like Google Drive and iCloud, which have long offered expanded plans for heavy data users.

Microsoft has also made strides in improving OneDrive’s speed and responsiveness, particularly for those managing extensive file collections. Enhanced search tools bring quicker access to files, while an updated interface shows file-sharing activity in real-time, making it easier to track collaboration.

AI Assistance Now Available Through Copilot

The addition of Copilot brings AI-driven functionality to OneDrive, giving commercial users new ways to interact with their documents. Copilot can quickly summarize content from multiple files, compare documents side-by-side, and provide answers to specific questions without needing to open each file. These tools aim to reduce the time spent on routine tasks and help users get insights from their documents more efficiently.

Future updates for Copilot are already in the pipeline, with plans to roll out additional features across Windows, macOS, and SharePoint throughout 2025. These enhancements will include new ways to summarize meeting notes and automatically convert files into presentations.

Mobile App Overhaul Focuses on Photos

For those who rely on OneDrive to manage their personal media, the revamped mobile app offers a fresh take on photo storage. The redesigned interface highlights photo albums and favorites, and the new natural language search feature lets users look up images using everyday phrases, such as “dog at the park.” OneDrive Android version is rolling out now, while iOS users will see the update in November.

The app also simplifies importing photos from other cloud services, like Google Photos and Dropbox, and introduces straightforward sharing options, enabling high-resolution photo sharing through messaging apps without needing a OneDrive login.

Bringing Color and Organization to File Management

To help users keep their digital files in order, OneDrive now supports colored folders in Windows File Explorer. Microsoft’s feature lets users assign different colors to folders, making it easier to organize files visually. The update is currently rolling out and will sync folder colors with OneDrive’s web interface.

Additionally, OneDrive is refining its document library experience, with changes set to arrive by mid-2025. The updates will enhance navigation and make it easier to filter data and create personalized views.

Microsoft isn’t just focusing on user-facing features; the company is also introducing new management tools for IT administrators. These include AI-powered compliance reports that help identify policy discrepancies across sites and the integration of OneDrive with Microsoft Graph Data Connect for advanced reporting through Power BI or Excel.

A new security feature, Restricted Content Discoverability, is also being introduced. It will prevent files in restricted libraries from showing up in AI-generated search results, giving organizations better control over sensitive data.

Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:37 pm CET

SourceMicrosoft
Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about Microsoft and the wider tech industry for over 10 years. With a degree in creative and professional writing, Luke looks for the interesting spin when covering AI, Windows, Xbox, and more.

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