Are you ready to ditch Explorer in Windows

Far too many are using SharePoint as an old fileserver and syncing to access files using Explorer in Windows.

There are several reasons not to sync every file and folder in SharePoint (why not to use folders will be next article).

1. Microsoft will be moving away from sync of SharePoint in favor of "Add shortcut to OneDrive"
2. Syncing creates a copy of the file that creates a securityrisk.
3. Users can by accident delete the synced files, believe me it is a nightmare to restore from recycle bin.
4. SharePoint is a webapplication and works best from the web, you don′t use file explorer to find movies in Netflix.
5. I can go on with more reasons if you want to, set up a meeting with me.

se SharePoint search to find files

One of the fantastic features of SharePoint is the search that makes it easier to find the files you are looking for. If you type a good search query you will easier find the right file.

There are several operands to help you getting the best result with your queries.

Author: Who edited the document last

Tags: Search for metadata terms

AND between words shows you resultqueries that match all words

NOT between word shows you resultqueries that does not match words.

OR between words shows you resultqueries that does match one of the words.

Search does not only show results from the title, it also shows you the result from teh content of the file.

Use Microsoft 365 to find files

The best way to find files that I have been using is the web url "https://microsoft365.com" this link will soon be m365.cloud.microsoft.

Here you can search for files, se files that you recently work with and files that have been shared. You can also see files that you have marked as favorites.

The best way is to look in the bottom right corner for the text "See all my content", this is clickable and leads you to what Microsoft sees as THE startpage for Microsoft 365. This is the same as where you go if you click on the OneDrive-button in the wafflemenu.

OneDrive on the web, the place to start at

On this page you can filter on files and features of Microsoft 365 such as Lists, Loop and more.

In the left menu you have access to Your file(OneDrive), Shared files, Favorites (not only files as well can be Lists, Planner and more), Recycle Bin. Further down you can Browse files by People, Meetings and Media. Even further down you get access to SharePoint sites, no matter if they are from Teams or not.

I know many are used to using the Explorer in Windows and are reluctant to change their way of working.

SharePoint is a webapplication and works best with accessing from a browser, if you ask Microsoft preferably Edge. I say to those who are concerned and not willing to change that you don′t browse for movies at Netflix and other media platforms using Explorer.

Are you reacy to ditch Explorer and access files and more in Microsoft 365 using the browser?