Microsoft Reveals Upcoming OneDrive User Experience for Windows 11 and macOS

Last week, the 2024 OneDrive event took place, and Microsoft unveiled numerous exciting updates. The redesigned OneDrive is set to operate seamlessly across both Windows and Mac systems. Although the company did not confirm the launch of a dedicated OneDrive app for these platforms, it appears that a web application will serve as the primary interface for the time being.

Before diving into the specifics of the new features, Microsoft hinted at the integration of OneDrive Copilot features within Windows File Explorer and macOS Finder, marking a significant step in their expansion efforts. The incorporation of Copilot into a native application in Windows 11 is to be expected, as many existing features support it; however, it will be intriguing to observe how this technology is utilized within Finder on macOS.

The attached screenshots illustrate a Finder window accompanied by a separate window displaying Copilot, which includes several file manipulation options such as summarization.

Microsoft has already introduced a standalone app for macOS, which may allow users to launch the app and perform text actions within its interface.

Now, let’s explore the additional features, including those exclusive to Copilot that will enhance OneDrive.

Copilot Features

Consistent with other Microsoft 365 applications, OneDrive is set to receive Copilot integration. Users will be able to quickly generate summaries for lengthy documents, create presentations based on these summaries, and ask relevant questions.

A newly introduced file comparison tool allows users to analyze up to five files simultaneously, regardless of their formats (such as documents). Copilot is capable of comparing information across various file types seamlessly.

Custom Copilot Agent

This feature took us by surprise. Microsoft demonstrated the capability of creating a custom Copilot agent tailored for specific projects. It is straightforward to customize this agent and share it with team members for collaborative use.

The ability to share this AI assistant across various Microsoft products (including Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive) significantly enhances its utility.

Custom Colored Folders

As previously discussed in a Windows Latest article, this feature has now been confirmed. Users can assign custom colors to OneDrive folders on their Windows 11 PCs, making it easier to visually distinguish folders within a directory.

This shift from the traditional yellow folder icons is a welcome change, and we hope Microsoft will extend similar options for color customization to Windows 11.

File Sharing Enhancements

Users can now set expiration dates for shared files, allowing for better management of access. Additionally, it’s straightforward to see who has access to specific files and who is currently collaborating on them.

Performance Improvements

The presentation highlighted a substantial enhancement in performance concerning file access and management. Users can expect increased responsiveness when searching for files or organizing them into categories.

An interactive and dynamic dashboard will feature suggested actions based on previously viewed files, along with smaller yet functional Copilot actions available in context menus and the main toolbar.

In addition to these new features, OneDrive’s mobile application is also becoming more intelligent, allowing users to retrieve photos related to specific events using straightforward text commands. However, it is disappointing to note that the enhanced OneDrive will only be available to Enterprise and Education users at launch.

We anticipate that features like colored folders and performance enhancements will eventually be accessible to free-tier users as well.

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