Briefly: OneDrive, Microsoft’s reply to iCloud and Google Drive, is deeply embedded in Home windows 11. The working system would not show prompts for opting out of this system, and Microsoft is making ready to introduce extra obstacles for customers who want to save recordsdata domestically. The change will start with Microsoft Phrase earlier than coming to different apps.
Microsoft 365 Insiders ought to quickly start seeing Microsoft Phrase routinely save recordsdata to the corporate’s OneDrive cloud by default. Customers can toggle the function by way of Phrase’s settings.
When Insiders replace to Model 2509 (Construct 19221.20000), the AutoSave icon within the prime left nook of the Phrase window will change to “On” by default, routinely saving recordsdata to a folder in OneDrive. When customers click on the Save icon, Phrase confirms that the doc is saved within the cloud and lists OneDrive underneath the placement drop-down menu. Later updates will introduce this conduct to Excel and PowerPoint.
To deactivate OneDrive in Phrase, navigate to File > Choices > Save, and uncheck the field that claims “Create new recordsdata within the cloud routinely.” One other field under it additionally mentions autosaving recordsdata in OneDrive. Different bins additional down the checklist decide whether or not and the way usually Phrase routinely saves recordsdata.
Though saving recordsdata to the cloud creates backups and immediately makes them accessible on different gadgets, Microsoft’s current conduct feels considerably forceful. Routinely saving paperwork to OneDrive by default with out first asking customers will possible annoy those that choose storing recordsdata domestically and confuse customers who do not perceive that their work is being uploaded.
It will possibly additionally develop into a solution to push Microsoft 365 subscriptions onto unsuspecting customers. The most recent change to Phrase’s conduct solely impacts prospects who already subscribe and thus obtain at the very least 100GB of cloud storage. Nevertheless, extending it to non-subscribers, resembling those that bought standalone variations of Microsoft Workplace, may trigger them to shortly and mistakenly refill their paltry 5GB of free area.
Home windows 11 already saves footage, paperwork, and movies to OneDrive by default upon set up. Since there isn’t any immediate to clarify the selection, customers who notice what has occurred should manually deactivate this system by clicking on the OneDrive icon within the taskbar and navigating to Settings > Sync and backup.
The most recent insider replace may very well be one other step in Home windows’ gradual transformation from an working system right into a service.
