How to Sync Your Desktop to the Cloud with OneDrive

Keeping your files locally and locked in a storage drive can feel safe, but is it the convenient way? As the tech world continues evolving, most businesses and individuals have gradually moved to the cloud, a technology that relies on internet connection.

Apart from the obvious benefits that come with the flexibility of being connected to the internet, it is also convenient. For instance, a cloud file storage enables users to access their files from anywhere using any other device as long as they have the correct login credentials.

Services such as GDrive and OneDrive dominate the cloud industry due to their convenient file storage techniques that allow users to access their documents using several devices. OneDrive, for instance, enables users to access their files using any device at any time they need to. There is no doubt that this is a more convenient method compared to the traditional storage drives that are prone to crash leading to data loss. However, questions have been asked, how safe is a cloud service?

Frankly, nothing is safe online. What matters is being able to identify the dangers and knowing how to overcome them. Safety precautions are the key to staying safe and protecting your data online. Also, you need to consider what files or data you are going to sync, especially when using lightly protected cloud accounts. For important files, it is advisable to get vaults which are designed to withstand severe attacks.

Benefits of Syncing Your Windows Desktop with OneDrive

A lot of benefits are associated with the use of OneDrive to store your commonly used files online. Even though there are some security concerns, the benefits outweigh the cons. And it’s quite satisfying to know that the risks can be eliminated by installing a trusted real-time protection security suite.

Here are some of the benefits that come with syncing your desktop with OneDrive:

• Get storage for free – OneDrive gives its users up to 15GB of free storage space. It also provides users with a chance to earn more free storage by completing certain referral tasks. More storage space can also be earned by linking your mobile phone camera to OneDrive such that it will automatically upload your images.
• Ease of use – When it comes to productivity, easy organization of documents and files is the key. This is where OneDrive excels as it gives its users the right tools and features to properly organize their files. To top that, users can access their files using any other device, making it flexible to work just about anywhere.
• Part and parcel of the Microsoft ecosystem – This is one of the major advantages of syncing your desktop with OneDrive. The program is intertwined with most of Microsoft’s programs such as MS Office apps. This makes it possible to collaborate with other users in real-time mode.
• Social media – it is possible to link your OneDrive account with most of the leading social networks. This makes it convenient to share files as well as set desirable permissions on the files being shared.

Is It Safe to Sync Your Desktop with OneDrive?

Honestly, there are quite a lot of security concerns when it comes to syncing your desktop with OneDrive. For starters, OneDrive does not offer enough security measures to free accounts. While its competitors focus on security measures as their point of sale, OneDrive emphasizes convenience more than anything. Here are some of the highlighted security concerns you should pay attention to:

Management of Documents – OneDrive has an excellent workspace for individuals but falls short when it comes to file-sharing with colleagues. It has limited file-sharing functionalities and restricts users on the type and size of the file they wish to share.

Prone to Hackers – MS platforms are the leading target for hackers which makes it mandatory for users to exercise extreme security measures when using OneDrive. This means users must consider using a password manager to protect their login credentials.

No privacy – This has been the leading cause of the love and hate relationship OneDrive has with its users. Microsoft clearly states that it reserves the right to scan users’ documents and files in search for explicit content.

Limited data encryption – Free account holders only experience data encryption amid transit, but it is kept unencrypted at rest.

How to Move Your Desktop to the Cloud with OneDrive

Before you begin the process of syncing your desktop with OneDrive, you must first ensure the OneDrive sync client has been installed in your system. Windows 8.1 and the later versions come equipped with this app. If you are using an earlier version, you can get it from here.

Once you have confirmed that the OneDrive desktop sync client is installed, you can proceed and follow the instructions below:

1. Access file explorer, and then right-click on Desktop. Choose Properties on the Context menu.
2. Go to the Location tab and click on the Move button before double-clicking on OneDrive from the dialog box.
3. Create a new folder by selecting New Folder. Rename the new folder to Desktop.
4. Click to highlight the newly created folder, and then choose Select Folder.
5. Click on Apply for the changes to take effect. In the entry box text, it should read as follows:
   C:\Users\[User Name]\OneDrive\Desktop
6. Click on Yes to confirm relocation of your Desktop to OneDrive before selecting the OK button to close the dialog box.

Once done, you may restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Files saved to your desktop will have a cloud sign and documents that have been successfully uploaded will feature a ticked circle. The ones with a loading symbol mean some of the file contents are yet to be uploaded.

Now, for your OneDrive account to sync to your computer, you must sign-in to it first. You can use your existing email credentials such as @live.com or @outlook.com or create a new OneDrive account. Follow the steps below to sync OneDrive to your device:

1. In the Start menu, search for OneDrive and click on the most relevant search result.
2. Sign-in using your existing log-in credentials or create a new account if you don’t have one. Follow the prompts to finish the setup procedure.
3. When done, you will see your OneDrive files on your computer.

As mentioned above, OneDrive has high-security risks just like any other cloud-based storage services. However, you can counter those risks by installing a reliable anti-malware security suite with internet protection. Moreover, you can use a password manager as an added layer of protection.