Microsoft is making significant strides with the development of a brand-new dedicated OneDrive app for Windows 11. This modern application is designed to enhance user experience by prioritizing photo and video viewing alongside efficient file management and editing capabilities. The initial details about this new app were leaked from Microsoft's own servers, revealing its presence as a separate executable file named OneDrive.app.exe within the application’s program files.
Upon launching the new OneDrive app, users will notice a fresh icon on the Taskbar, leading to an intuitive interface that showcases your OneDrive photo library. This app is web-based and utilizes a unique design language that combines Fluent Design with web aesthetics, featuring rounded menu bars and dropdown menus adorned with Acrylic blur effects to align with the overall Windows 11 aesthetic.
At the top left corner of the app, users can seamlessly switch between gallery mode and file mode. This flexibility allows users to organize their cloud files effortlessly. When in file mode, the app mirrors the existing file management interface found on the OneDrive website, but with an added Copilot feature. By hovering over files, users can quickly access a Copilot chat to ask questions or generate summaries and FAQs without needing to open the files.
Switching to the gallery tab reveals an organized layout with buttons at the top that guide users through various features related to photo and video editing. The app includes sections for Moments, Gallery, Albums, People, and Favorites. The Moments feature is particularly noteworthy, resembling similar functionality in the mobile version of the OneDrive app, showcasing a collection of images taken on the same day across previous years, presented beautifully in the new Windows app.
Importantly, the gallery tab has been redesigned to include a floating menu bar that appears at the bottom of the app when users select a photo for editing or deletion. The app also integrates built-in editing tools that largely reflect those available in the Windows Photos app, enhancing the photo management experience.
Despite the introduction of this dedicated OneDrive app, it remains unclear what specific need it serves on Windows 11, given that OneDrive is already integrated into both the File Explorer and Photos app. Microsoft may believe that a standalone OneDrive app is essential for users seeking to organize their files in a single location rather than navigating multiple system applications. This new app not only looks impressive but also feels remarkably responsive for a web application, leading to comparisons with other web apps like Outlook, which may not provide the same level of user satisfaction.
As of now, the timeline for the rollout of the new OneDrive app remains uncertain. However, Microsoft is set to host a special OneDrive event on October 8, where further details about the app are expected to be revealed. Stay tuned for updates as Microsoft continues to innovate in the realm of cloud storage and file management.
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