Skydrive for windows 8.1 (local account)

[Baidukun]

Anyone know any good way in windows 8.1 to sync skydrive in windows explorer like it was possible with desktop app on Windows 8.
Skydrive app doesn't work, only new modern UI app but it doesn't sync skydrive if I use local account.

 

[XweAponX]

You have to log in as an MS account, not as Local. You can change this in PC Settings.

Also, 'Skydrive" is service that MS accounts use to store the Synced Settings, but it is still an MS account. The only way to use "Sync your Settings" is to use your MS account, it wont work for a Local Account.

Early versions of Windows 8, asked you if you wanted to use a "Skydrive" account to log in, but that was way back in February, now it asks you if you want to use your Microsoft Account.

The Skydrive Program that gets installed on the Desktop only accesses what's in there, there is a real Tile for that, but there are hundreds of fake tiles that have the name Skydrive in them, only install the one that says made by Microsoft.

When the Desktop shell for Skydrive is running, it makes a folder that you can get to in Explorer, and you can move files back and forth from the Net Account from that folder, it syncs instantaneously.

 

[Brink]

Hello Baidukun,

In addition to what Jon posted above, you could sign in online to SkyDrive.com to use SkyDrive with a local account in Windows 8.1.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Baidukun]

Thank you everyone...

I already know this... I was forced to login with windows live online account when I upgraded to 8.1 but then I changed it to offline/local account again. some of my PCs are members of domain and I can't use MS account.. but even on non domain PCs I don't want to use MS account to login to my pc.. but I want to use SkyDrive, I know I can use it in my browser.
In windows 7 and 8 there was program with windows live essentials it was desktop software that synced my local folder with skydrive folder. I could change files on local folder and it would sync that to skydrive. I don't need my pc settings sync just file sync so I can make local folder to be synced to skydrive.
Since that Skydrive application works only on windows 8 or older and stops working on 8.1, I need replacement. (I would like one from Microsoft but MS is pushing their modern app and online login to windows so old app doesn't work)
Maybe anyone know is syncDriver for SkyDrive - SkyDrive Client Done Right worth trying?
Also there seems to be way to mount skydrive as network drive maybe that would be good work around for a while.
Or maybe I should move to Google service? I think they still offer desktop software to sync my files with google drive, that works on windows 8.1 with local account.
When I started using windows 8 it was more headache than good things even considering that windows 8 is faster. sometimes [DEL]down[/DEL]upgrading to windows 7 seems only logical solution. But I'm doing my best to get used to windows 8 or making some workarounds like installing 3rd party start menu.

 

[XweAponX]

Maybe you are thinking of Bing Desktop- I keep on deleting it from my Updates, but it keeps coming back. I don't know what it does, but maybe it uses Skydrive to allow several computers to sync settings, themes, icons, etc.

I'll install it on my test computer next time I put it up, maybe this is what you need.

 

[livewire]

Maybe you are thinking of Bing Desktop- I keep on deleting it from my Updates, but it keeps coming back. I don't know what it does, but maybe it uses Skydrive to allow several computers to sync settings, themes, icons, etc.

I'll install it on my test computer next time I put it up, maybe this is what you need.

Bing Desktop just gives you a search bar on your desktop, I don't bother installing it, I just hide it.

 

[XweAponX]

Ok, that would not be it then.

The OP has a unique situation, we'll have to see what kind of options there are for this, because the Sync thing only works through MS Account.

I had forgotten about Computer Farms that all log into a Domain, I havent had to deal with that yet with Windows 8.

 

[Baidukun]

Maybe you are thinking of Bing Desktop- I keep on deleting it from my Updates, but it keeps coming back. I don't know what it does, but maybe it uses Skydrive to allow several computers to sync settings, themes, icons, etc.

I'll install it on my test computer next time I put it up, maybe this is what you need.

It's not bing I never used Bing, and I disabled it on windows 8.1.
Its skydrive desktop app.. Really no one used it on windows 7? that's strange.
Skydrive desktop app lets you configure local folder to mirror skydrive folder it sync automatically when there is changes.
I repeat one more time I don't want to sync pc settings, icons wallpapers or whatever I want to sync files and folders (local folder<->skydrive folder).
SkyDrive and Windows 8.1
here is written about desktop app
it comes with windows live essentials (windows live mail desktop client, messenger (now replaced by Skype), writer, movie maker etc.) but was updated separately. It still works fine on windows 7 and windows 8 (don't requires login to windows with MS account has separate login from windows)

 

[adamf]

Baidukun, I suppose you have read all about this already but SkyDrive does not work the same on 8.1 as it did in 8 or 7. The desktop application that (helpfully) told you what it is doing - 10 synched, 10 not - has gone. You can see it in the metro app but it is inferior.

You can turn off synch of settings, wallpaper etc but if you want something like how SkyDrive (or before that Mesh) used to work then you have to use DropBox or similar.

You can by right clicking keep local copies of SkyDrive data but remember that even then File History will NOT back it up while any other folder will be backed up.

I do agree with you - it was better before - but that is progress. We have to use something else instead or (as in my case) as well.

 

[Baidukun]

Baidukun, I suppose you have read all about this already but SkyDrive does not work the same on 8.1 as it did in 8 or 7. The desktop application that (helpfully) told you what it is doing - 10 synched, 10 not - has gone. You can see it in the metro app but it is inferior.

You can turn off synch of settings, wallpaper etc but if you want something like how SkyDrive (or before that Mesh) used to work then you have to use DropBox or similar.

You can by right clicking keep local copies of SkyDrive data but remember that even then File History will NOT back it up while any other folder will be backed up.

I do agree with you - it was better before - but that is progress. We have to use something else instead or (as in my case) as well.

Thanks..
I know the best solution is to stop using skydrive and start using dropbox or other service.
I could somehow bear inferior modern skydrive if it wouldn't require to have windows with ms account why can you not login to skydrive on skydrive app like on many other and login to YOUR OWN pc using your own local account or domain.
lately MS forcing way to much things on loyal users.. don't even giving them options, do they really listen to customers?

 

[adamf]

Yeah, well I was pretty irked with it also but there is nothing to be gained complaining alas.

You could try the microsoft support site and they would tell you to run sfc /scannow without reading your question if you want I did but it didn't help me much really.

On the bright side there are plenty of free alternatives. I use Tresorit personally as it is encrypted but I'll not try to push it on anyone.

 

[XweAponX]

It's not bing I never used Bing, and I disabled it on windows 8.1.
Its skydrive desktop app.. Really no one used it on windows 7? that's strange.
Skydrive desktop app lets you configure local folder to mirror skydrive folder it sync automatically when there is changes.

Yah, that sounds about right, thats how I use it in windows 8. I HAVE used it in 7, but not as much as I use it in 8. Whate'er I do to my Local Skydrive folder happens right away online too. Are you saying it does not act like this anymore?

hmm,

Google Drive is similar, I have a local folder and it acts the same as Skydrive, try that instead. Whatever you do locally gets uploaded instantly.

Or you can Keep Skydrive AND Google Drive and Dropbox, there is also a program called "Box" 10gb), and there is ImageShack's "Skypath" (25gb)Asus Free Webstorage (5 gb) - IU use an app on my iphone called "CloudOn" to connect all of these disparate accounts and I can move stuff from one to the other.

 

[tuckeratlarge]

When the Desktop shell for Skydrive is running, it makes a folder that you can get to in Explorer, and you can move files back and forth from the Net Account from that folder, it syncs instantaneously.

Err, no it doesn't. On my computer it can take hours before any file placed in the Explorer Skydrive folder syncs.

I want to go back to the Windows 8 way with a desktop application, is that possible?

 

[Brink]

When the Desktop shell for Skydrive is running, it makes a folder that you can get to in Explorer, and you can move files back and forth from the Net Account from that folder, it syncs instantaneously.

Err, no it doesn't. On my computer it can take hours before any file placed in the Explorer Skydrive folder syncs.

I want to go back to the Windows 8 way with a desktop application, is that possible?

Hello Tucker,

The amount of time it takes to sync depends on your internet connection bandwidth.

You would have to go back to Windows 8 to be able to use the SkyDrive desktop app.

 

[tuckeratlarge]

Hello Tucker,

The amount of time it takes to sync depends on your internet connection bandwidth.

You would have to go back to Windows 8 to be able to use the SkyDrive desktop app.

Boo!

Upload bandwidth is 5Mbps, is that not enough?

 

[Brink]

Should be plenty for a quick sync.

 

[tuckeratlarge]

Do you have to have the 'Metro' app running for sync to work?

 

[Brink]

Nope. The SkyDrive app doesn't need to be open to sync what you place in your SkyDrive folders in File Explorer.

 

[XweAponX]

it syncs instantaneously.

Err, no it doesn't. On my computer it can take hours before any file placed in the Explorer Skydrive folder syncs.

I want to go back to the Windows 8 way with a desktop application, is that possible?

Thats odd, on mine, whatever I do on my Phone shows up instantly in my PC, and what I do on my PC shows up instantly on my Phone. Do yu mean, when you use the Skydrive TILE app? In that case, what you say may be true. I don't use that though, I always have used the Desktop App, which does sync instantaneously.

 

[XweAponX]

Hello Tucker,

The amount of time it takes to sync depends on your internet connection bandwidth.

You would have to go back to Windows 8 to be able to use the SkyDrive desktop app.

Shawn - You mean to say the Skydrive Desktop Application CANNOT be installed in Windows 8.1????

and Grr