Everything you need to know

We all have lots of photos, documents, and files that we need to store, so cloud storage is a necessity. For users of Android tablets and phones, it may be easiest to use Google One or Google Drive, but there are other options such as Microsoft OneDrive. OneDrive is best known for its integration with other Microsoft products such as Windows and Office, but it can also be used as a general storage solution. But what is OneDrive? How do you use it? How much does it cost? Read on to find answers to these questions and more.

Microsoft OneDrive overview

Microsoft OneDrive is a cloud storage solution that lets you store all types of files, including photos, PDFs, videos, and more. There is also a free version, but the paid version includes more storage and additional features. OneDrive is available for many operating systems and devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and Xbox. You can also back up data on your device, including data on your Windows device, folders on your Mac, PC, or Chromebook, and photos on iOS or Android.

OneDrive stores files just like Google Drive or your computer's File Explorer. This allows you to save files in a folder structure that you can create and modify as needed. OneDrive isn't tied to a single device. Instead, it is associated with your account. You can sign in to OneDrive on many devices and access the same files through OneDrive on any of those devices.

Another benefit OneDrive offers is the ability to share files with other users. You can share specific files or folders with anyone, even if you don't have a OneDrive account. Generate links and share via text, email, or social media. If the person you want to share with has a OneDrive account, you can share it directly. You can also set permissions for others to edit, comment on, and view the files you share.

How much does Microsoft OneDrive cost?

Microsoft OneDrive has a variety of plans for both personal and business use. From a personal use perspective, different tiers of OneDrive are tied to different tiers of Microsoft's 365 subscription. When you create a Microsoft 365 account, you get a free version of OneDrive that includes 5 GB of cloud storage, 15 GB of Outlook storage, and access to web and mobile versions of Office apps.

The paid version of Personal Microsoft 365 offers three tiers: Basic, Personal, and Family. The Basic tier includes 100 GB of cloud storage and 50 GB of email storage, removes ads from Outlook, access to Microsoft support experts, and provides enhanced security features for a single user. This plan costs $1.99 per user per month, or $19.99 per user per year if paid annually.

The Personal tier increases your cloud storage to 1TB and includes access to Microsoft Defender on your device, advanced photo and file protection in OneDrive, and access to premium and desktop versions of Office apps. This tier is for a single user and costs $6.99 per user per month, or $69.99 per user per year if paid annually.

The top of the personal plans is the family plan, which covers up to six people. This plan has the same features as the Personal tier, but has 6 users instead of 1. Family plans cost $9.99 per user per month, or $99.99 per user per year if paid annually.

There are three tiers when it comes to business accounts. OneDrive for Business, Microsoft 365 Business Basic, and Microsoft 365 Business Standard. OneDrive for Business includes 1 TB of cloud storage and file sharing for $6 per user per month, or $5 per user per month if paid annually.

Business Basic includes 1 TB of cloud storage per user, web and mobile versions of Office apps, 10 additional Microsoft apps, access to Teams, custom business email, and identity and access management for up to 300 employees. will appear. This tier costs $7.20 per user per month, or $6.00 per user per month if paid annually.

The top business tier, Business Standard, adds desktop versions of Office apps, the ability to host webinars, and access to media editing and app creation. This tier costs $15.00 per user per month, or $12.50 per user per month if paid annually. All business tiers can add Microsoft 365 Copilot for an additional fee.

How to use Microsoft OneDrive

You can access OneDrive in several ways, depending on the device you use OneDrive on. If you're using a computer, you can access it in File Explorer. On Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS, set up OneDrive to appear as a separate drive when searching for files on your device. This makes it easy to access and move files between your device and OneDrive.

You can access OneDrive through a browser on any device, but it's best used on a computer. For Android and iOS devices, access OneDrive using a dedicated app. The app lets you access all your files stored on OneDrive and save files to OneDrive from your device.

You use OneDrive just like any other file storage app. Store any type of file on the service and access it from anywhere. To add files to the service, you must upload them. Go to OneDrive and addition Click the button and select the file you want to upload. If you're using a computer, uploading is as easy as copying and pasting or clicking and dragging files from one location to your OneDrive folder.

You can organize your files using a folder structure similar to how you organize your files in your device's file manager. These folders appear on each device you sign in to OneDrive. Once you upload your files, you can access them from anywhere. When you upload files from your computer, you can access them from the OneDrive app on your phone. This makes it easy to share files between devices and access them at home or on the go.

OneDrive has settings that automatically back up files on your device. The types of files that can be backed up vary by device. go to OneDrive settings Find options to back up your Windows system, automatically back up specified folders on other computers, and back up photos on your phone. These settings allow you to access your files even if your device becomes corrupted.

Cloud storage available from anywhere

Cloud storage is essential for ensuring that your important files are always accessible. There are many cloud storage services available, but OneDrive is one of the best. Before using OneDrive, it's important to understand how to create and organize files and folders.