What’s New with OneDrive in SharePoint Server 2019

Last year at Ignite we announced that SharePoint Server 2019 was coming and with it, an updated experience for OneDrive on-premise users, including support for the latest OneDrive sync client. With the announcement yesterday of the availability of public preview, we wanted to share not only what to expect with this latest version, but how to start preparing for deployment today.

 

Get to know OneDrive in SharePoint Server 2019

OneDrive is the Microsoft cloud service that connects you to all your files in Office 365. With on-premise SharePoint Server instances, it still lets you store and protect your files, share them with others, and get to them from anywhere on all your devices that can be either hosted on your company servers or as a hybrid model with the data stored in the OneDrive cloud.  

 

OneDrive allows you to sync files between your computer and SharePoint Server 2019, so you can get to your files from anywhere. You can work with your synced files directly in File Explorer, via the Finder on Mac or in our mobile app on Android and iOS, you have the ability to access your files even when you’re offline. Whenever you’re online, any changes that you or others make will sync automatically. 

 

What's New in OneDrive in SharePoint Server 2019

SharePoint Server 2019 (preview available here) brings several new capabilities with OneDrive to include a new, simple, clean user interface allows you to focus on what’s most important, your files – whether in OneDrive or a SharePoint Team Site that you’re a member of. 

OneDrive in SharePoint 2019

OneDrive.exe- Now you can access all your files across on-premises and the cloud with the new OneDrive sync client.  SharePoint Server 2019 takes advantage of the latest investments in OneDrive sync to allow for more rich scenarios and reliable sync experiences.  SharePoint 2019 leverages the newer OneDrive.exe synch client which provides a fast and reliable experience with the ability to easily see what is synched and in the cloud.

OneDrive Sync

Files On-Demand - As individuals create and collaborate on more files and work across multiple devices, it’s increasingly important to access your important content, in one place. You shouldn’t have to worry about whether there is enough storage on your device or if you can access your files on an airplane. 

 

OneDrive Files On-Demand helps you access all your files in OneDrive without having to download all of them and use storage space on your device.

 

When you turn on Files On-Demand, you’ll see all your files in File Explorer and get new information about each file. New files created online or on another device appear as online-only files, which don’t take up space on your device. When you’re connected to the Internet, you’ll be able to use the files like every other file on your device. Click here to learn more about Files On-Demand.

 

Push notification to OneDrive sync clients  - SharePoint Server 2019 now supports push notification to the OneDrive sync client. This gives users immediate notifications when changes are made to content they have synched. Now users’ synced content will be refreshed as soon as changes are made instead of waiting for the next polling interval.  

 

Other key features:

New commands such as Copy To and Move To allow you to organize your files visually and the details pane brings important information about your files front and center with one easy click.

OneDrive interface

OneDrive in SharePoint Server 2019 also allows you to see the files from the sites you follow or are a member of for quick access to content across your organizations' team collaboration sites, and you can even quickly create new, modern sites from directly within OneDrive with one click.

OneDrive Interface

In addition to the improvements on the Web, SharePoint Server 2019 also allows you to take advantage of the latest sync client for OneDrive on your PC, Mac, or mobile device.   

 

With OneDrive, you can sync files between your computer and the cloud, so you can get to your files from anywhere. You can work with your synced files on your Mac, PC or mobile device and access your files even when you’re offline. 

 

Deploying OneDrive with SharePoint Server 2019

Deploying OneDrive has never been easier, you can choose a managed deployment using the tools you already have such as SCCM or allow users to perform self-service deployment. 

 

For the most part, you can deploy the new OneDrive sync client like you would traditionally install applications on devices in your organization. If you're deploying to many users, having familiarity with enterprise deployment tools such as System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) to deploy .exe files and modify local system registries will be helpful. 

 

• If the computers in your organization are running Windows 10, they already have the new sync client installed.
• If the computers have Office 2016 or Office 2013 (Home & Student, Home & Business, Professional, Personal, Home, or University) installed, they might also have the new sync client. Office is installed per machine, whereas OneDrive needs to be installed per user.
• If you don't have Windows 10 or Office 2016, install the Windows version of the new OneDrive sync client.
• If you have been using a previous version of OneDrive, such as that with SharePoint Server 2016, installing the new OneDrive sync client will result in a side-by-side installation, meaning the user will have two versions of the sync client on their system. 

 If you’re not sure which version of the OneDrive sync client you’re using you can see the latest releases here.

 

To learn how to transition from the previous OneDrive sync client (AKA Groove.exe) see make sure to review this guide and for specific managed deployment guidance using SCCM please visit.

 

Hybrid Support 

Unleash the full power of OneDrive with a hybrid deployment.  In SharePoint Server 2019, you can redirect users to OneDrive in Office 365 when they choose OneDrive in the app launcher. 

 

With this feature, you can continue to use your on-premises SharePoint farm while providing your users with an easy way to store, share, and collaborate in the cloud with OneDrive in Office 365. This best-of-both-worlds approach lets you keep your key business information in your own environment while allowing users the flexibility to access their documents from anywhere. 

 

To get started with a hybrid implementation

 

If you’re using a hybrid deployment today with a previous version of SharePoint, users who are redirected to Office 365 will already have the latest sync client. 

 

Files Migration 

Whether choosing a hybrid deployment of OneDrive or if you plan to move entirely to Office 365, we’re committed to supporting you all along the way.  With the SharePoint Migration Tool from Microsoft, you can begin to move your content from across file shares or on-premises OneDrive and SharePoint sites to Office 365 with a few simple clicks. 

 

Designed to be used for migrations ranging from the smallest set of files to a large scale enterprise migration, the SharePoint Migration Tool will let you bring your information to the cloud and take advantage of the latest collaboration, intelligence, and security solutions with Office 365. 

 

To learn more about the SharePoint Migration Toolkit

 

-The OneDrive and SharePoint Team