OneDrive update will integrate the AI ​​Copilot assistant

A Microsoft decided to revamp its cloud storage application, OneDrive, in an update released on Tuesday (3). Now, in addition to having the AI ​​assistant, it is possible to see files that are shared on the Microsoft Teams or with other people who use cloud storage, also having access to other company applications. Check out more about the OneDrive update below:

What features are available in the OneDrive update?

Aiming to meet growing demand — more than 2 billion files are placed on OneDrive per day — Microsoft innovated the OneDrive so that the app becomes increasingly present in the use of other services, making it easier to find files in programs on the Office and having a special section called For You (“For you”, in free translation).

In this section (highlighted in the photo above), several files that are related to the user, including reports and meeting recordings, appear at the top. In fact, these meeting files can also be accessed in the “Browse by” section, by clicking on “Meetings” below. The next screen displays both upcoming and previous meetings.

It is possible to see files that have been shared with the email used in the application and even create a new one (with the “Add New” button), in a similar way to Google Drive. However, an advantage over the competitor's service is the possibility of seeing an organized list of files for each contact they shared with you, as seen below:

Thus, the new OneDrive layout makes the task of viewing shares easier, also including easy access to Microsoft work tools, such as SharePoint (which is just below the side section on the left, “Quick Access“, which gives quick access to other apps).

But the organization of the storage app goes beyond what is offered for productive work: the folders have gained color options, with the possibility of marking an important file as a favorite (either in the OneDrive, of course File Explorer, which is synchronized with the cloud storage app), as well as sharing it with fewer clicks. Including the option to open documents, slides, PDFs, etc. within OneDrive itself will be available worldwide from December to users of Windows 11, according to Microsoft.

Another new feature to be launched is that OneDrive will be present in other products, such as Outlook and Microsoft Teams. That is, it will be possible with just one click to open the application directly from Outlook email and send files to your contacts, in the same way that you will be able to do this when joining a meeting via Teams. See the screens released by the company:

Microsoft has also thought about improvements in both application access and customer support, which will also be available offline. To give you an idea, the cloud storage of the company that owns Windows will allow the user to make some files available even without a network connection. However, this update will only reach everyone from 2024. In addition, OneDrive will have broader security functions:

• restricting access to some files for some groups;
• download blocking in some apps, such as SharePoint and OneDrive;
• multi-factor authentication for access;
• improvement in the integration of accounts from other companies;
• transparency of data on external collaboration;
• performance information.

Regarding media, OneDrive also features new features, such as improved scrolling; search for photos and videos by specific dates and periods; search for people by name in photos; search for images in free search; and visualization modes (blocks or by dates). As an example, see the video that shows how to use the date organization function:

How does Copilot work on OneDrive?

Being available to be accessed whenever you want, the Copilot will be used to search for files more easily within the company's cloud storage. Microsoft. So you can go directly to the AI ​​assistant (highlighted in the image) to find out more about a file or see summaries about its contents in different programs, whether in SharePoint ou teams, for example. According to the company, summaries will be generated based on the context and relevance of the stored content.

Furthermore, the system will help you check recent changes to files and comments made by the team responsible for collaborative editing. Copilot access to OneDrive, however, it will be limited to those who have a subscription to the Microsoft 365. The expectation is that the assistant will be in the cloud storage app by December this year.

Until then, the company seeks to provide new functions for the AI ​​assistant, operating to speed up some activities. An example would happen when searching for files related to a topic, such as reports from company “X”: the AI ​​in OneDrive would realize that you need to not only find these files, but also store them in a folder.

In other words, in the future Copilot will be more active in the search for solutions that improve productivity, also helping in the search for other tasks, such as sharing with context and useful links, important files according to meeting themes, among other quick solutions.

Availability of the new OneDrive design in Brazil

Currently, updates for the program are slowly arriving in other countries, including Brazil. But, if you want to test it, you can access the web version of OneDrive and try out the new design. If you have already updated the Windows for latest version (Windows 11) it is possible that the layout changes will come to you soon.

Still, the Microsoft informs that full availability of the entire redesign will arrive at the beginning of 2024, already adjusted with feedback information from users who will test the new functions; free, the OneDrive is available for download from the store Microsoft Store.

Would you stop using the Google Drive and migrate to the OneDrive, after this update? Tell us your opinion, here at showmetech!

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Source: The Verge | Tech Community (Microsoft)

Text proofread by: Pedro Bomfim (4 / 10 / 23)