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Free Utility Makes MS SkyDrive Even More Useful
A couple of months ago, Rhiannon briefly mentioned a new utility called SD Explorer on her weekend roundup (you can read her article at http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/weekend-roundup-may-7-2010.htm). It just so happens that I've recently been using SD Explorer too, and I think it definitely qualifies as a Hot Find. So if you already saw Rhiannon's post, I apologise for mentioning the product again.
SD Explorer used to be known as SkyDrive Explorer, which probably gives you a clue as to what it is. It's a Windows utility which provides access to your SkyDrive, just as if it were a local drive on your PC. You can copy files to and from the drive via Windows Explorer, and access them from any application.
You can download it at http://www.cloudstorageexplorer.com/products.php. It runs on Windows XP and above (32- and 64-bit), and is free.
Of course, a SkyDrive isn't a local drive on your PC. It's a free 25 GB cloud-based drive that you get free from Microsoft as part of Windows Live. So if you already have a Hotmail account (which is also part of Windows Live), your SkyDrive is all ready and waiting for you.
As you may know from other articles, I'm a big fan of cloud-based backup. My service of choice is Dropbox, which scores because it automatically syncs files between all your computers and the internet. SkyDrive, even with SD Explorer, doesn't do that. It does, though, give you a whopping 25 GB of space for free, whereas Dropbox wants you to pay for anything above 2 GB.
Anyway, if you already use Hotmail, or you're willing to set up an account, SkyDrive and SD Explorer are the perfect pair. Just drag your key data files to your SkyDrive on a regular basis, and that's backup sorted once and for all. If you're worried about security, just use an encryption product as as TrueCrypt, then back up your .TC files to your SkyDrive.
Here's my SkyDrive appearing on My Computer.
Got a hot find? Let me know at http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/submit-product-review.htm.
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The SDExplorer site FAQ now says:
(cloudstorageexplorer.com/faq.php)
Quote
Q: Why I can't copy a 400 MB file to my SkyDrive account?
A: The SkyDrive service currently offers 25 GB of free personal storage, with individual files limited to 100 MB. However, you can use the Advanced edition of SDExplorer that supports files greater than 100 MB.
Unquote
Maybe the 50MB limit has been raised?
Here is a how to
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/32132/getting-started-with-the-new-window...
Had no problem with the free SD Explorer until I changed my MSN password. I had set SD Explorer to remember my password. But SD Explorer offers no way to change what it saved. I tried uninstalling SD and reinstalling it, but it still kept my old password. In fact SD tried to log on incorrectly so many times that it invalidated my MSN password.
Just sign out - its at the top of your computer/explorer window - I have a couple of accounts & do this regularly - when you next double click on sdexplorer it will ask you the new password - cheers
What is the different between backup at SkyDrive and The Pirate Bay?
Not sure why I would want to backup to the "cloud". God might turn it of or change the TOC anytime. Remember Geocities and AOL? I think I will still take personal control with my 2 x 1 TB, 1x 750GB, 1 x 500GB, 2 x 320GB USB and a few smaller drives plus the family offsite repository.. eg. give inportant files to your family mambers to hold for you. Currently I add around 2GB per week of photos that I really would not like to lose, or lose access to.
Do both. What happens if your disks get stolen or when there is a fire in your house. Or when you are abroad and need access to your files?
Too many strings attached and limitations.
Should be available to any PC with a certified Widows OS and 50 MB size limit is too small these days.
I enjoy your site very much!!
It would be helpful if you could link a "how-to" article wirh pictures so as to enable me to use the program successfullt. I could not get it to work.
Where does Microsoft Mesh fit into all this... I have been syncing a bunch of files from different computers on my home network... how does that relate to SkyDrive...
Mesh is going by the wayside (getting flushed). Since Microsoft had several products by several development teams which overlapped in some functionality (Mesh, Sync, SyncToy, Skydrive) they updated Sync to LiveSync to cover many of the bases of these application and to cut down on duplicated development effort.
Information about the updated LiveSync can be found at http://sync.live.com
"as most of us won't store very big files (i.e ISO's) in cloud"
Speak for yourself. There are plenty of places that provide paltry amounts of free cloud storage. If I have 25GB in the cloud available, I want to upload one encrypted 25GB tc container, not 500 50MB tc containers (or, as the pro version of SD Explorer no doubt manages, allow the shell ext do it for me).
humm! Well you must be having quiet a fast internet or lots of patience...
"Speak for yourself" - That's where words like "IMO " or "most of us" comes handy :)
@r.schifreen: Dropbox now allows for up to 10 GB free space through referrals (2 GB standard + 8 GB referrals)
Have downloaded and installed SDE Explorer - and have a Windows Live Account - but can't see Skydrive on SDE Explorer --- where is it?
I have a Windows Live Account and Skydrive - can upload individual files and groups of files, but I can't use SD Explorer - have just downloaded and installed it - when you open it with right-click on My Computer and Explore with SD Explorer - you can see your own computer but no Skydrive - how do you find that?
The free version of Gladinet is better than SD Explorer as it gets around the 50 MB file size limit. Limit is the no. of files/ upload session not the size of the file. In other respects it's the same as SD Explorer.
You can also just map SkyDrive as a network drive:
downloadsquad [dot] com/2010/04/25/use-office-2010-to-map-a-local-drive-letter-to-your-free-25gb-live-skydrive/
Another way which I haven't used but might be a little bit simpler especially for people with Microsoft Office:
nirmaltv [dot] com/2010/02/02/how-to-map-skydrive-as-network-drive-in-windows/
It isn't really easy to set it up but once done, you it is very easy to use and you won't need extra software.
[Sorry for the strange spelling of the urls. I seem to be triggering the spam filter. I am in no way affiliated with either of the sites and only want to post them because I found them helpful]
It's a good utility, but it needs to be updated from time to time due to periodic sky drive changes, so you need to be aware of that. Also, if you try to transfer too many files in a folder at one time, it will crash or freeze explorer some times. It's great for uploading small groups of files.
Excellent application!
Thanks!
You should mention that a *major* limitation to the freeware version of SD Explorer is that it does not support files over 50MB. Pay version does not apparently have that limitation.
SkyDrive has the 50M limitation, not the software (SDExplorer, Gladinet etc).
Gladinet, e.g., sends pieces not bigger than 50MB and shows you that big file, ONLY throug itself, like a big file... If you look it through SkyDrive web interface you'll find the pieces, not the entirely big file.
Maybe SDExplorer does a similar thing...
i'm using humyo by trendmicro... also free up to 5Ggb support
The download link provide by the editor also gives the comparison chart - Free v. Paid. IMO 50MB limit is not a major limitation, as most of us won't store very big files (i.e ISO's) in cloud....also when uploading files directly to skydrive - there is a limitation of 50mb file size (when i last checked).
One Word: AWESOME!!
Gizmo, you've done it again!
Thanks.
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