There are several free online cloud storage which offers sharing and assign permission for folders for private or public but with Windows Live SkyDrive, you can avail of free online storage for 25GB at most. SkyDrive also offers its users to create Word, Excel, PowerPoint documents, without having Microsoft Office installed.

One thing that interests me is the drag, drop and upload feature which simplifies the backup process. Since SkyDrive is a cloud online storage, you don’t need to be on your computer to access your files, instead, you’ll only need to be with any computer with internet or even with mobile devices like phone that can access the internet.

 You’ll need to have a Windows Live/Hotmail account to access this feature. If you don’t have, here are the steps involved:

1. Go to this site: http://explore.live.com/windows-live-skydrive

2. Click the button “Get SkyDrive-it’s free”

Free 25GB Cloud Online Storage with SkyDrive

3. Fill the form with all informations required.

SkyDrive Application Form

4. Click “Accept” to apply

To upload files for backup do the following:

1. Login to http://skydrive.live.com

2. Login your newly created account

SkyDrive Login Form

3. Click “Add Files” to upload

SkyDrive Web Interface

4. Select Files to upload

Uploading Files Using SkyDrive

5. Click apply

While testing, the drag and drop feature did not exist in chrome. The steps above should be followed for file upload. However if your using Internet Explorer, you can simply use the Drag, Drop and Upload feature as shown below

Drag, Drop and Upload with SkyDrive

You can use your old (existing) Windows Live / Hotmail account to avail this feature. Windows Live is another service offered by Microsoft. For more information, please refer to Windows Live Terms of Use http://login.live.com/gls.srf?urlID=WinLiveTermsOfUse&mkt=EN-US&vv=1100.