Sync Folders with SkyDrive on Windows 8.1 - A Simple Guide
Syncing Folders with OneDrive: Workarounds After Windows 8.1
Prior to the release of Windows 8.1, users could synchronize any directory on their system with SkyDrive by employing symbolic links. This technique, however, is no longer functional following the integration of SkyDrive directly into Windows 8.1.
Despite this change, alternative methods exist to achieve similar folder synchronization capabilities.
Understanding Symbolic Links and OneDrive
When a symbolic link or directory junction is established within your OneDrive folder, an empty folder is created in your OneDrive cloud storage. This can be misleading.
Files will seemingly appear to be synchronized within the OneDrive Modern app, but in reality, no actual synchronization is taking place.
How This Behavior Occurs
The OneDrive client recognizes the symbolic link as a folder. It then displays the contents of the linked folder *as if* they were part of the OneDrive cloud.
However, the files themselves remain located in their original directory and are not uploaded or synchronized to OneDrive.
Implications for Users
- Data Safety: Files are not backed up to the cloud via the symbolic link.
- Synchronization Status: The OneDrive app's display of synchronization status is inaccurate for files accessed through symbolic links.
- Alternative Solutions: Explore other OneDrive features or third-party synchronization tools for reliable folder syncing.
It’s important to remember that utilizing symbolic links in this manner provides only a visual representation of files within OneDrive, without the benefits of cloud backup and synchronization.
A Workaround for Symbolic Links and SkyDrive
Due to SkyDrive’s inability to correctly interpret symbolic links within its own directory structure, an alternative approach proves most effective: employing symbolic links in a reversed configuration.
Consider a scenario where an application automatically stores critical data to a designated folder on your hard drive, regardless of its location – be it C:\Users\USER\Documents\, C:\Program\Data, or another path. Instead of attempting to force SkyDrive to recognize a symbolic link, the data folder itself can be relocated to SkyDrive.
Subsequently, a symbolic link is created at the folder’s original location, effectively redirecting the application. This method is likely to function with the majority of programs, as they typically utilize standard Windows Application Programming Interface (API) calls for folder access and file saving.
Essentially, this strategy inverts the initial concept. Since SkyDrive cannot be manipulated, the focus shifts to redirecting other applications instead.
This approach offers a viable solution when direct symbolic link support within SkyDrive is unavailable.
Relocating a Folder and Establishing a Symbolic Link
Initially, it’s crucial to verify that no applications are currently accessing the external folder. If the folder contains program data or settings, for instance, ensure the relevant program is closed before proceeding.
Subsequently, transfer the folder to your SkyDrive directory. Utilize the right-click context menu to select "Cut" on the external folder, navigate to the SkyDrive folder, right-click within it, and choose "Paste." The folder will then reside within SkyDrive, enabling standard synchronization.
Following this, launch a Command Prompt window with Administrator privileges. This can be achieved by right-clicking the Start button on the taskbar, or by pressing the Windows key plus X, and then selecting "Command Prompt (Administrator)."
Execute the following command to generate a symbolic link at the folder’s original location:
mklink /d "C:\Original\Folder\Location" "C:\Users\NAME\SkyDrive\FOLDERNAME\"
Ensure accurate paths are entered, reflecting the precise location of the original folder and its current position within your SkyDrive.
A symbolic link will then be created by Windows at the folder’s initial location. Ideally, most applications will interpret this link as the actual folder, directing file saves to SkyDrive.
This can be verified through testing. Placing a file within the folder at its original location should result in its storage within SkyDrive and subsequent synchronization to your online SkyDrive storage.
Related: How to Use Windows 10's Storage Spaces to Mirror and Combine Drives
A limitation of this method is that saving a file to SkyDrive necessitates available space on the same hard drive where SkyDrive is installed. Distributing folders across multiple drives for synchronization isn’t directly supported.
However, the SkyDrive folder’s location can be altered within Windows 8.1, allowing it to be placed on a drive with greater free space. This is accomplished by right-clicking the SkyDrive folder in File Explorer, selecting "Properties," and utilizing the options available on the "Location" tab.
Alternatively, Windows Storage Spaces can be employed to consolidate drives into a single, larger logical drive.
Automated File Transfer to SkyDrive
Related: Automating SyncToy Execution via Windows 7 Task Scheduler
An alternative approach involves utilizing a program designed for automatic file copying from a designated folder on your computer to your SkyDrive directory. Consider a scenario where regular backups of crucial log files, generated by a specific application, are required. A program capable of scheduled folder mirroring can be employed, configured to periodically replicate the contents of the log folder to your SkyDrive.
While potentially beneficial in certain situations, this method differs from conventional synchronization. It results in duplicate file copies consuming storage space, which may be undesirable for larger files. Furthermore, files aren't uploaded to SkyDrive immediately upon creation; instead, the transfer occurs during the scheduled task execution. Microsoft’s SyncToy, still functional on Windows 8, represents one such option.
Related: Four Methods for PC Game Save Backup
Previously, users leveraged symbolic links to automatically synchronize PC game save files with SkyDrive. Now, installing GameSave Manager provides a more direct solution. This application can be configured to automatically generate backup copies of your PC game save files on a predetermined schedule, storing them within SkyDrive for online synchronization and backup.
The SkyDrive functionality underwent a substantial overhaul with Windows 8.1, explaining why the symbolic link technique is no longer effective. The use of symbolic links in earlier SkyDrive versions was never formally endorsed, making its eventual failure after the rewrite unsurprising.
Although none of these alternatives match the simplicity and speed of the original symbolic link method, they represent the optimal solutions given the current SkyDrive integration within Windows 8.1. Symbolic links remain viable for synchronizing folders with alternative cloud storage platforms like Dropbox and Google Drive, suggesting a potential migration away from SkyDrive if this functionality is essential.
