The Microsoft OneDrive app receives, among other things, a smart search function for photos, documents, and better ways to share documents.
Microsoft is preparing a major update for OneDrive, which will be rolled out in 2026. The cloud storage service will receive a completely revamped Windows app, including a smart search function for photos, documents, and better ways to share documents. The tech giant writes this in an announcement.
Easier Management of Photos
In addition to Copilot for Windows, OneDrive is also being revamped. The current compact OneDrive icon in the taskbar will be replaced by a full-fledged desktop app, similar to the mobile version.
Users will get a clear gallery view of their photos and a People View, which automatically recognizes and labels faces. Through the Photos Agent, they can search for photos via a prompt. OneDrive will also work with locally stored photos, allowing images to be edited and then saved locally or in the cloud. The AI agent focuses not only on photos but also on visual content in a business context, such as project images or event materials.
Copilot Searches Documents
With the integration of Microsoft Copilot, OneDrive becomes an intelligent assistant for business files. Employees can ask questions in natural language like “show the latest quarterly report from Sales” or “find all documents shared with client X.”
Smarter Collaboration and Sharing
Another important improvement is the introduction of the Hero Link. Instead of separate sharing settings, users can now easily share a standard link, similar to Google Workspace. Colleagues can then request access directly, significantly speeding up document sharing within large organizations.
OneDrive now uses AI-driven analytics to avoid duplicates, recognize old versions, and keep data organized between teams. Companies can also manage and synchronize locally stored data with the cloud while maintaining control over access rights.