Have you ever wanted to sync your OneDrive account to your Windows 8.1 system without having to switch your computer's login account from a Local Account to a Microsoft Account? Well you're not alone. Sometimes, it feels like Microsoft just doesn't understand how people use their computers. Many of us find the Microsoft Account a bit overreaching. And sometimes we may want to connect to a OneDrive account to sync data from one account without changing our entire Operating System to be connected to that account.
Recently, I had a client with exactly this need. They wanted to share a single OneDrive account with a couple of computers, but wanted to maintain the logon accounts they had already set up for those computers. Enabling the Windows 8.1 OneDrive app will automatically convert your Local Account to a Microsoft Account if you configure OneDrive.
We researched a bit online and found some clever solutions. You can map your OneDrive account as a Network Share and access it very much as you would any other network share. This was actually a pretty neat way of accessing OneDrive, but it was much slower to enumerate files and folders, and there was no synchronization occurring. If you took your computer off the internet, you lost access to those OneDrive files.
Then we stumbled upon syncDriver. This software will allow you to sync your OneDrive account on your Windows 8.1 computer without the need to change your Local Account logon. The install and configuration couldn't have been easier. If you are familiar with installing a Dropbox account, the syncDriver configuration is just as simple. And just like Dropbox you can choose to selectively sync folders; this feature is unfortunately missing from some OneDrive clients and nowhere to be found with OneDrive for Business.
One day soon (rumored to be happening with the Windows 10 release), Microsoft will be fixing all the nagging problems that is keeping their OneDrive platforms from being a huge competitor in the file syncing world. Until then, syncDriver will give you the features that Microsoft should have given you in the first place.
Here are some easy Instructions on how to install and configure syncDriver. If you need help, we will be there to guide you at http://www.binkleyit.com or support@binkleyit.com:
(1) Download the syncDriver software here: http://syncdriver.com/Download/Windows
(2) Install on your computer.
(3) syncDriver will ask you to enter your OneDrive credentials:
(4) Then choose a folder that will be your sync destination on your local computer:
(4) Choose your options. There are some full featured options that will allow you to fine-tune your configuration, including SELECTIVE SYNC and DIRECTIONAL SYNCING. Choose the one which is right for you:
(5) On your task bar will be the icon to monitor your sync. You can PAUSE syncing, FORCE a sync and navigate to the OneDrive website to view your files online.
Test is out and I am sure you will find it a great experience. For more information, here is the feature comparison between syncDriver and Microsoft's OneDrive client:
