OneDrive is an online (cloud) storage area for you to store/backup your files, it is fully integrated into Windows 8 so you can easily access your OneDrive files using File Explorer or the Windows 8 App, or via the OneDrive website from any computer

 

If using a Microsoft Account by default all your documents, and photos from your camera will automatically be stored on OneDrive, as well as all your Windows settings so that you can have the same settings across all of your devices (i.e. start screen layout and appearance, desktop personalization, app settings, internet history and favorites, language/keyboard/mouse settings etc) - this can be changed in the OneDrive settings as explained below

 

If you use Microsoft Office 2013 then this also fully integrates with OneDrive so you can save all your files in the cloud automatically

 

When you first create a Microsoft Account you automatically get 7Gb of free OneDrive storage and can upgrade to more space (up to 200Gb) for a small fee each year

 

File Explorer

If you are using a Microsoft Account to sign-in to Windows 8 then you will automatically see your OneDrive account in File Explorer (as highlighted below)

 

From here you can access any files stored online, create new files/folders, delete any files you don't want etc

 

You can also right mouse click on a file or folder and choose to make it available offline - handy if you are going to be using your computer without an internet connection for a while, once you are reconnected to the internet then any changes to the file/folder will automatically be backed up

 

 

OneDrive App

You can also use the OneDrive Windows 8 App to view your files

 

If you right mouse click on any item a menu of options will appear at the bottom of the screen (as shown below), allowing you to delete, rename, copy, add new files etc

 

You can also search through your files using the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner

 

 

OneDrive Website

You can also access all files stored in your OneDrive from any computer by visiting www.onedrive.com

 

 

OneDrive Settings

 

Settings for OneDrive can easily be changed by accessing the OneDrive page from PC Settings

 

The File storage tab shows you how much space you have available, and gives you the option to buy more storage space

 

From this tab you can also turn off the option to save all documents to OneDrive automatically - which is enabled by default when using a Microsoft Account

 

 

The Camera roll tab allows you to choose whether all photos taken using the camera on your computer are uploaded to OneDrive, and also allows to choose what quality they should be uploaded at

 

 

The Sync settings tab allow you to choose whether you want your PC settings backed up to OneDrive, and if so you can choose which settings you would like backed up (i.e. start screen layout and appearance, desktop personalization, app settings, internet history and favorites, language/keyboard/mouse settings etc) - these settings will then be used across all Windows 8 devices that you sign-on to using your Microsoft account