Starting in mid-March 2025, Microsoft will begin displaying messages in its Word, Excel, and PowerPoint applications on Windows to encourage users to back up their files to OneDrive. This initiative aims to increase the adoption of the Known Folder Move (KFM) feature, which allows files to be automatically synced to the cloud.
According to a new entry in the Microsoft 365 Message Center, the functionality will be implemented in a public preview until April 2025 and will be rolled out globally in early May 2025.
Messages to Promote OneDrive Backup
Microsoft has indicated that users who have not yet enabled KFM will see a notification in their desktop applications with the message:
“BACK UP THIS DOCUMENT: Share and collaborate with others on this and other files using OneDrive.”
If the user selects the “Open OneDrive” button, they will be able to choose which folders they want to back up to the cloud.
The company has noted that these messages will not be displayed in organizations that have blocked the use of KFM in their environments. Additionally, Microsoft has informed system administrators that the deployment will occur automatically, so it recommends notifying users about this change in advance. Administrators who prefer that their users do not receive these reminders can block KFM on their endpoints.
A Strategy to Boost OneDrive Usage
This effort is part of a broader strategy by Microsoft to promote the use of OneDrive as a cloud storage service among its customers.
Along these lines, the company recently began testing free versions of its Office applications for Windows, funded by ads. These versions allow users to create and edit documents, but with limited features and without the ability to save files outside of OneDrive.
When asked about these tests, a Microsoft spokesperson told BleepingComputer that the company “has been conducting limited testing” and that, for now, it does not plan to launch an ad-supported version of Microsoft Office.
With this new strategy, Microsoft aims to establish OneDrive as the default cloud storage option within its ecosystem, driving the adoption of its subscription services and integration into its productivity suite.
via: Bleeping Computer