Enable differential sync (only sync parts of the files that changed)
Today OneDrive implements differential sync only for Office files (that is, syncing only the changes made to the file, instead of the entire file). It would be a significant improvement for this capability to work against any files in OneDrive - so smaller changes to a file would result in less data needing to be transmitted, meaning less time to sync changes back and forth, and more efficient use of network bandwidth.
PJD
shared this idea
Wanted to update the status on this one. We are still thinking about this, but no news to share now. Stay tuned for updates.
164 comments
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Vishal Seth
commented
In our Org of 15,000 + employees, we have a number of cloud providers.
Even with a full E3 suite deployed to all employees, everyone prefers to *Suite or ***box.
For collaboration, as file sizes get larger, full syncs don't work. They just cause merge conflicts and inadvertent file overwrites. They hamper productivity and slow down teams.
Adding to this problem is the fact that OneDrive is just 2-5x slower to sync compared to other providers from our user testing. The speed variance is also large in comparison where other providers are consistent. The gap becomes larger with large file sizes.
No new features matter in comparison to the core user experience and productivity.
With these large number of votes, why "still thinking about it"? It's a no-brainer.
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Anonymous
commented
Our organisation with 100,000 employees is moving to DropBox at the end of the year unless this feature is implemented.
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Evan Price
commented
I have my Lightroom catalogue and iTunes music library on Onedrive - every time I make a change in lightroom it has to resync a 400MB file and the same thing everytime I play a song in iTunes - this is ridiculous and really problematic.
How and why has this taken so long to implement when Dropbox has had it for years!? -
Robert Ligocki
commented
Bob L. This a feature that has to be implemented sooner than later!!
What is the hold up.
Confucius says: Man waiting with pencil in hand for paper to long. Pencil dies of dry rot. You are like the people who couldn't move on to new technology!!!! -
[Deleted User]
commented
Guys any updates on this? this is a crucial feature thats lacking in onedrive and other competitors like drop box are winning but i have a 1TB storage waiting for me on onedrive which isn't been used.
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Anonymous
commented
I would agree with the need for this. Also I would add that I understand there is a brand new update the will SYNC the "Documents" folder to the office cloud. That feature needs to include the option of choosing one or more subfolders to the Cloud instead of all folders in "Document".
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Neil C
commented
This is the only reason I am sticking with Dropbox, shame asI have 5TB waiting for me on my Office account - but can't use it. My Lightroom catalog files are 1GB+ and I don't want to be uploading that every day with every minor change, especially when I am using my laptop away from home. In 2018 this is a BIG deal-breaker for many. Come on MS!
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calsan :-)
commented
Found out the hard way that this doesn't behave like dropbox. Added some tags to my photos - all were already uploaded to Onedrive... starts uploading complete photos again... 175Gb remaining... groan...
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Matt Postle
commented
This is the one thing that DropBox does well that would be a HUGE benifit for OneDrive. Our IT infastructure uses Azure, Sharepoint online, full Office 365 suite, Exchange online, the only thing holding us back from moving some of our network drives to MS Online is no differential sync functionality for OneDrive (other than little office files). Our business is very mobile and uses a lot of 4G data (like 4 terrabytes each month) true differential sync in OneDrive/Sharepoint would have our company throwing fistfulls of money at MS to use it ASAP.
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Anonymous
commented
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Anonymous
commented
Hubby massage
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[Deleted User]
commented
This was on the 2017 roadmap, yet in July 2018 you're still just "thinking about it".
Absolute ludicrous. We've being 'staying tuned' for four years.
I guess we'll still be here in 2022 where you will have 'thought about it' just that little bit more, but no one will care, because other services will have had this essential feature implemented for a decade.
Onedrive is third-rate cloud storage, and that's being generous.
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Anon
commented
Listen to your customers - this is the one feature that makes DropBox better; implement it.
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Ash
commented
I travel a lot and rely on 4G and use large CAD files, although minor changes. This would be hugely beneficial to me and my phone bill!!!
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D
commented
Please consider it, this would be a major improvement.
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Anonymous
commented
This is far and away the most popular request!
It is 4 years old.
As others have said, it is clearly possible.
What else is there to think about?Our sales reps travel frequently, often to remote areas, and rely on mobile (i.e. 4G) data.
Reduced data transfer is an extremely high priority for us! -
Anonymous
commented
Dropbox shows for years now how it works with block level synchronisation. Given the huge impact on traffic, sync times and business opportunity, it's totally unclear why this is not the top priority feature and they are still "thinking about it" - they should be "coding about it"
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Wolvy
commented
This is the only reason I don't use OneDrive. I have 560GB of data and sync my data using Dropbox because Dropbox actually has this feature straight out of the box! I can't afford to upload 2GB files every time I edit one little thing on the file. It's ridiculous.
For Microsoft to still be thinking about this means that they are so ridiculously slow on the uptake of the technology era we live in.
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Tas
commented
This is a MUST have feature. The lack of differential sync keeps dropbox in the solution stack for customers working on large files such as CAD or design files.
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Onedrive for Business User
commented
Is this still being considered??