Microsoft has announced the “next-generation” of OneDrive, which includes new file views, governance controls, creation tools, and Copilot.
From December, Copilot will be available for Microsoft 365 subscribers to quickly search, organise, and retrieve information from their OneDrive files.
Users will be able to ask open-ended questions connected to a particular file or request content summaries.
Jason Moore, VP of Product for OneDrive and Microsoft Lists at Microsoft, introduced the latest updates via Microsoft’s blog: “OneDrive is adapting to meet your needs as the work landscape evolves. Today the files you work on span across OneDrive, extend to SharePoint document libraries, travel as attachments in meeting invites, and get exchanged through Teams chats.
“You need one place when you can easily find all the files, Loops, dashboards and design boards you need to work on, no matter where they live.
“Today, we’re officially unveiling the next generation of OneDrive where all your files are at your fingertips.”
Copilot in OneDrive
Microsoft first announced Copilot would be integrated with OneDrive at Microsoft Build in May, and then again last month.
Using Microsoft 365 Chat, users will be able to apply Copilot’s AI capabilities to all Microsoft 365 data, including OneDrive and SharePoint files.
Looking to the future, Microsoft is currently working on new Copilot skills to make it even easy to keep organised on OneDrive. Copilot will be able to create a new folder based on file searches.
It will also help users to gather, manage, and transfer knowledge faster than ever, according to Moore.
These updates will also be coming to Teams and Outlook in order to retain consistency across the platform, Moore says.
Managing Files
OneDrive for work and school will soon enable even easier access to your files due to a redesigned home experience, AI-powered file recommendations, a meetings view of upcoming and past meetings, recordings, and shared files.
It will also offer a ‘people view’, which organises files by the people who shared them with you, and a ‘shared view’ that displays shared files.
Further file access features include a favourite files list, shortcuts, and simplified sharing resulting in fewer clicks.
Organising, Accessing, and Creating Files
Open in app will allow you to open any file in its desktop app, make edits, and sync the changes.
