Add 25GB of Free Online Storage to Windows

I love the way DropBox integrates into Windows so you can drag and drop files to the cloud, but the 2GB of free storage is limiting. SkyDrive offers 25GB, but it doesn't integrate into Windows, forcing you to open a browser window to copy files. A while back, I showed you SkyDrive Explorer, a program that kind of tries to fix that problem, but honestly, it doesn't do it all that well.

Now I've stumbled across a way to integrate SkyDrive into the Windows file system, and it works flawlessly.

For this to work, you'll need to be using Office 2010. So if you're running the beta, keep reading. If not, you might want to bookmark this page for a few months so you can try it when you upgrade. Here's what to do:

1. In Word 2010, choose File, Share, Save to Skydrive. If necessary, log in to your SkyDrive account.
2. Click Save As.
3. When the Save As dialog box appears, cancel it.
4. Choose File, Open. The dialog is now pointing to your SkyDrive account.
5. In the location field at the top of the dialog box, drag the folder icon into the Favorites list. Right-click and rename it if you want to.

Why does it work? I have no idea. But it does. Enjoy.

Dave Johnson

View all articles by Dave Johnson on CBS MoneyWatch »
Dave Johnson is editor of eHow Tech and author of three dozen books, including the best-selling How to Do Everything with Your Digital Camera. Dave has previously worked at Microsoft and has written about technology for a long list of magazines that include PC World and Wired.

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