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Windows Live Sync is live

Dec. 11, 2008 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

I traveled home from Redmond today, so I’m a bit behind, but this is pretty big news if you’re as interested in the new Windows Live solutions as I am:

We've been hard at work on the new software, and we're pleased to report that the new Windows Live Sync is now available for Windows and the Mac.

We've listened to your feedback, and Sync will continue to offer the same great service as FolderShare, along with several new features:

  • Higher file limits—up to 20 synchronized folders (formerly known as libraries) with up to 20,000 files in each one.
  • Integration with Windows Live ID.
  • Integration with the Recycle Bin.
  • Unicode support.
  • More languages for Windows (46 in all).
  • And lots of bug fixes.

As part of the new release, we will be retiring the old FolderShare blog and newsgroup to make room for a new Sync blog and a new Sync newsgroup.

Sync may be new to some FolderShare users, but don't worry! Sync is designed to make transition easy, although there are a few steps for you to take:

  • Install the software on each of your computers that previously ran FolderShare so Sync can automatically reconnect your synchronized folders.
  • To keep sharing your synchronized folders, you'll need to send your pals a new invitation. Don't worry if they don't have a Windows Live ID; we'll help them get set up using their preferred e-mail address.
  • Your synchronized folders will be set to automatically sync after migrating. If you'd prefer to sync on demand, just visit the Sync website to adjust that.
  • Have more questions? Take a look at the latest FAQ for more answers.

Please check out the new software and let us know what you think. We hope you like it!

Discuss this Article 34

rickhuizinga
on Dec 11, 2008
I still don't understand why Microsoft is releasing this, and Live Mesh... Why not just keep FolderShare around until Live mesh comes out of beta and skip Live Sync?
RunTimeError
on Dec 11, 2008
Don't worry rick, I'm sure Mike Galos will show up soon and make it all clear ;)
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 11, 2008
Since Error asked... Remember that Live Mesh is a platform for people to build apps on. (well, actually the platform is called Live Framework) Thinking that Live Mesh is a sync app is like thinking that Windows 1.0 was a word processor because it included Microsoft Write. Or, as I put it in my sig file: If "Web 2.0" was the equivalent of replacing the dumb terminals of "Web 1.0" with smart terminals then Live Framework is the equivalent of replacing those terminals with a peer to peer network of personal computers of all shapes and sizes.
robertsjoe
on Dec 11, 2008
Great post from Stephen Fry: "Apple have shown that there is a huge demand for exciting, innovative, lovable and imaginative consumer devices. All the rivals have to do is to … is to what? To produce cut price lookalikes or truly to pioneer and innovate? Well, the latter is what they should do, but the former is what most of them will do of course, because these dumb firms never ever learn. They are afraid to be good. They will blame stockholders, consumers, anyone but themselves." Truly describes Microsoft "because these dumb firms never ever learn. They are afraid to be good. They will blame stockholders, consumers, anyone but themselves." Vista's problems? No, they blamed them on third parties. You start with a bad OS, it's not their fault. Microsoft does not innovate. They do lookalikes and copy.
shark47
on Dec 11, 2008
One day and he's back! Did you have exams going on, robertsjoe? I think the sync feature in Live Mesh was a proof of concept application. Nevertheless, it is confusing to me. At the moment Live Mesh isn't much more than a sync app.
nutts
on Dec 11, 2008
Not sure what robertsjoe's trolling post has to do with anything, but I wanted to ask something. I'm currently using dropbox (getdropbox.com) to sync my files between my mac and vista laptops, and it works really well. I'm using the free 2gb account but they also do a paid 50gb one. So what does this Windows Live Sync do that dropbox doesn't?
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 11, 2008
shark The sync app and the remote desktop app are the two initial proof of concept apps but others built on the platform have been demonstrated and were apparently given to some people at the Professional Developers Conference.
Ocean
on Dec 11, 2008
Dropbox works like a dream. Mike -- we've yet to see any proof that the platform will be anything of great value. Do you know something we do not?
Ocean
on Dec 11, 2008
OT: << While the recession has yet to hit the gaming market—sales are up 22 percent year over year—the real story is just how completely and utterly Nintendo is destroying the competition. -- In November, Nintendo sold 2.04 million Wii systems. In one month. The Nintendo DS came in second place with 1.57 million systems. -- In any rational universe, Microsoft did very well in November with 836,000 Xbox 360s sold, but Nintendo's numbers can only be described as preternatural. << http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20081211-its-all-about-nintendo-as-...
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 11, 2008
Ocean "Mike -- ... Do you know something we do not?" Yes
nutts
on Dec 11, 2008
Eeek, looking at the comments both in the FAQ and the newsgroups (both linked to in Paul's story) I think I'll be sticking with dropbox for now, as Live Sync looks to be pretty buggy right now. Hopefully it'll improve. But I'm still keen to find out how this differs to dropbox. Hopefully somebody has tried both and can comment.
lotsamystuff
on Dec 11, 2008
"So what does this Windows Live Sync do that dropbox doesn't? " It features Microsoft branding.
surilamin
on Dec 12, 2008
Sync is actually not buggy at all. It is foldershare simply rebranded, and it now allows you to use your live id. I would give it a try...
Dipsh t Admin
on Dec 12, 2008
robertsjoe, what happened to leaving? Decided your life was incomplete without trolling?
shark47
on Dec 12, 2008
In response to Ocean's (very OT) post, wasn't the XBox 360 left for dead only a few months ago? It most certainly won't end up being #1 in this generation, but it's an impressive come back, nevertheless. Even Bill Clinton of the '92 primaries would've been impressed. I've been contemplating buying one for a while now, but the reliability issues keep me from doing so. I hear they've been fixed, but I still hear about RRODs (probably on the older units). I want to move my Media Center PC out of the living room. It's not a $400 laptop, so I am not very comfortable having it in the living room. :-)
Lindy
on Dec 12, 2008
So how is this different from SkyDrive or whatever its called??? I installed it on my Mac, got the double arrows on my menu bar and I can go to the site from the menu bar "Sync website" option and it says I have no computers installed???? Maybe it takes time to update the site???
Dude1313
on Dec 12, 2008
Shark- X-box did well, but it is getting HAMMERED by the Wii. Read an article in the morning fish. Wrap article that the reason for 2 million shipments is that Nintendo ramped up production which has been a major bottleneck for the last 2 years. In short they can't make them fast enough to keep up with demand. And on top of this Nintendo has achieved and economy of scale that they are actually making money on a console which is unheard of in the gaming industry. http://www.forbes.com/technology/2008/11/28/nintendo-wii-wii2-tech-perso... http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/01/forbes-nintendo-making-6-profit-on-eve... $6 dollar profit on the console may not sound like much but then you have to wonder just how much MS and Sony are loose on each sale. Now that Sony has won with Blue-Ray it will be interesting to see if they know focus on taking on the X-Box. I'd say that since the launch of PS3 it hasn't been their prime focus. I'd also say that still allowing continued sales of the PS2 is not in their best interest long term. Cut it and drive adoption of the PS3 even more and X-box slips even further down the list. Lastly- X-Box is a fine system.... when it works, I have friends whose X-Boxes have RROD 1-3 times... each.
tayme
on Dec 12, 2008
Extremely Off Topic...but, Waethorn, is this you? http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,465844,00.html ;-) <-- wink, wink; nudge, nudge; say no more. --tayme
Lindy
on Dec 12, 2008
I own all three consoles, the Wii was fun for my kids for about 3 months it collects dust now. My 360 has RROD twice and now it sits off the network supporting the lego games for my kids. I should have ebay'ed both of them and bought another PS3, and replaced the handful of games they still play on the 360. PS3 wtih latest flash supporting web browser 2.53 update + cheap large Hard Drive + Handbrake = super media hub.
Lindy
on Dec 12, 2008
Wow tayme I am appalled, my sensibilities are offended, Paul should boot you from the site.......maybe the doll will prevent blindness:)
richardfrisch
on Dec 12, 2008
Right now (9am EST) the Live Sync servers seem to have crashed. I cannot log in on five different systems, with two different Live IDs. Nice job on the transition!
shark47
on Dec 12, 2008
Dude, you totally twisted the context of my comment to make me sound like another Microsoft fanboy. Amazing. Where did I say the XBox was going to beat the Wii? Didn't I talk about the RRODs? I made the same points that you did. It's f*cking impossible having a discussion here when people tend to do this kind of stuff.
Waethorn
on Dec 12, 2008
"robertsjoe, what happened to leaving? Decided your life was incomplete without trolling?" Didn't I already say that he'd just duplicate johnpapola's actions? Speaking of not innovating....
Dude1313
on Dec 12, 2008
Um Shark I was merely pointing out what is going on right now, you might need a few more hits of coffee there dude.
Waethorn
on Dec 12, 2008
@tayme: http://tinyurl.com/6lkvan Judgment Day cometh! ;) ....and no, that's not me. "I want to move my Media Center PC out of the living room. It's not a $400 laptop, so I am not very comfortable having it in the living room." Build a Mini-ITX machine with a low-end Core 2 Duo E7000, an Intel DG45FC mobo, and a nice SFF Mini-ITX case. Hard drives are cheap, and so is RAM. Throw a Blu-ray drive and a copy of Vista Home Premium x64 on it, and it'll be smaller than a PS3, will run full Media Center (not Extender), and is whisper quiet if you pick the right case. The In-Win BM639 cases are svelte - especially the piano-black version. Plug it into your HDTV Home Theater via HDMI, and grab a nice media center keyboard (the Microsoft MCE ones designed for XP work extremely well, even with Vista, and they have a mouse "joystick" on them too). Makes for a pretty slick system for multimedia, and surfing on a desktop is better than on a PS3's lame Netfront browser. Plus, you could always get a little work done on your xx" HDTV while lounging in your Lay-Z-boy.
shark47
on Dec 12, 2008
"Um Shark I was merely pointing out what is going on right now, you might need a few more hits of coffee there dude. " Yes, after it has already been pointed out by Ocean once before. My post was in response to that (OT) post by Ocean and I mentioned it. So, I wasn't ignoring facts, like you made it seem. I was only pointing out that a console that was left for dead, not long ago, is suddenly doing all right. Yes, I know the Wii is doing phenomenally well and a couple of years after its release, remains one of the hottest holiday buys. Nevertheless, it's rarely a zero sum game.
Lindy
on Dec 12, 2008
Yeah but the PS3 can play COD4/5 as well as, surf, BD, DVD, movies on the HD:) If I were to put a PC under my TV, it would be a Dell Studio or Mac MINI, and the Mac MINI would wait for the update in Jan. That Dell can be had for $449 with HDMI out no less.
shark47
on Dec 12, 2008
Thanks Wae. That is an option I've been looking into. I am not much of a gamer, so I don't think I'd be using the XBox for much more than this.
Waethorn
on Dec 12, 2008
"If I were to put a PC under my TV, it would be a Dell Studio or Mac MINI, and the Mac MINI would wait for the update in Jan." Ah, but the cost of those units is incredibly higher, with very few inexpensive storage options. The case I mentioned will take a full-sized 3.5" hard drive (so that means up to 1.5TB - at least at this point in time). It will even accept a SECONDARY 2.5" (notebook) hard drive internally too! And the motherboard supports eSATA. Also, you can use a substantially cheaper half-height (5.25") optical drive instead of a slimline. Have you even seen the prices of slimline Blu-ray drives?? Slap one of those nice, cheap, glossy LG Blu-ray reader/DVDRW combo drives and you're laughing. A system like that gives you maximum storage options. A Dell Studio or a Mac Mini doesn't. Mac Mini's are extremely expensive for the specs and don't support Blu-ray which means your complete home theater PC is a "world of hurt" all the way to the bank. Getting an HTPC for Blu-ray and high-bitrate HD would call for a 45nm Core 2 Duo (E7000 or E8000 series). Pentium dual-core's should be left well-enough alone.
Waethorn
on Dec 12, 2008
Oh, and off-the-shelf components will give you a 3-year warranty on most of the products. At the very least those are: CPU, mobo, case (and PSU), hard drive (maybe 5 years depending on brand & model). RAM usually has a lifetime warranty unless it's rebranded. Optical drives usually either have 1 or 3 depending on brand. In-Win has expanded their Mini-ITX line by adding 2 more models (they even have glossy white if you want a "Mac look" to it): http://www.in-win.us/products_pccase_series.php?cat_id=1&series_id=49
gorath
on Dec 12, 2008
Can OSX play blu-ray at all, even if you add a BD drive, or even an external one to it?
tayme
on Dec 12, 2008
@gorath - I think that with third party drivers and reader/writer software it is possible. I can't find any links right now to support that, though. Funny, Apple fans used to laugh at Windows for requiring third party solutions for various things. --tayme
rickhuizinga
on Dec 12, 2008
@mikegalos I understand that Live Mesh is a platform, as is the Microsoft Sync Framework. I guess my question really should be: will Live Sync replace the Live Mesh client software's sync offering? And secondarily, is Live Sync based on Live Mesh and/or Microsoft Sync Framework or is it just an updated version of the FolderShare code-base?
Waethorn
on Dec 12, 2008
"I think that with third party drivers and reader/writer software it is possible." I don't think the MPAA has approved playback on Mac's, so it likely isn't legal. The likely problem is that without Apple's blessing, nobody would get their seal-of-approval for releasing software for functionality that Apple doesn't want, and the MPAA would have to certify it only after Apple acknowledges it. After all, the OS has to have the same kind of protected-path requirements to play back the HD streams, just like Vista does. It would also require HDCP hardware for full resolution HD, otherwise it would fall back to a down-sampled resolution, as per the requirements of the MPAA, and the Blu-ray association. Those requirements disqualify OS X for the time being. Speaking of which.... Funny how Apple gets a pass for cranking out contents against associations for which they hold a membership: http://www.apple.com/ca/press/2005_03/blu-ray.html “Apple is pleased to join the Blu-ray Disc Association board as part of our efforts to drive consumer adoption of HD,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Consumers are already creating stunning HD content with Apple’s leading video editing applications like iMovie HD and are anxiously awaiting a way to burn their own high def DVDs.” ....I guess giving customers what they want is just a "world of hurt", eh Steve?

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