SkyDrive Command Line Interface

There are so many wonderful uses for SkyDrive.  With 25GB free storage, SkyDrive is the perfect place to store team documents and family photos.  The integration of Microsoft OneNote 2010 with SkyDrive works seamlessly.

Followers of the Building Windows 8 blog already know about some of the changes coming to SkyDrive with Windows 8.  As a refresher, however, here's what to expect:

• SkyDrive Metro style app on Windows 8
• SkyDrive files integrated into Windows Explorer on the desktop, and
• The ability to fetch remote files through SkyDrive.com

There is more, including support for the desktop to upload files up to 2GB through Explorer.  Uploading your files to your SkyDrive folder will ensure access to your files across all of your PCs and also make it easier to upgrade to Windows 8.

About SkyCMD

With the integration of SkyDrive in Windows 8 and the ability for SkyDrive to automatically update files as changes are made, the option to get back to basics with simple DOS-type commands to access SkyDrive is being made available in the form of SkyCMD.

It isn't necessary to wait for Windows 8 to give SkyCMD a workout.  Just follow these simple steps.

1.  Navigate to http://www.skycmd.com/ where you'll see the following:

     _____ __ __  __ _____  _   _     ____
    / ___// /_\ \/ // ___/ / | / |   / _  \
    \__ \/ / / \  // /    /  |/  |  / / / /
  ____/ /   /  / // /___ / /\_/| | / /_/ /
 /_____/_/|_\ /_/ \____//_/    |_|/_____/

type "help" for list of supported commands

:SkyDrive>

2. When typing help at the command prompt, familiar DOS commands are displayed:

_____ __ __  __ _____  _   _     ____
    / ___// /_\ \/ // ___/ / | / |   / _  \
    \__ \/ / / \  // /    /  |/  |  / / / /
  ____/ /   /  / // /___ / /\_/| | / /_/ /
 /_____/_/|_\ /_/ \____//_/    |_|/_____/

type "help" for list of supported commands

:SkyDrive>help

:SkyDrive>help
ACCOUNT
login - opens the login window, make sure your browser doesn't block the popup
logout

NAVIGATION
dir - displays contents of current directory
cd [directory] - changes the current directory
cls - clears the terminal window

FILE
mkdir [directory] - creates a new directory
move [source] [destination] - moves the source file to the destination
copy [source] [destination] - copies the source file to the destination
start [file] - opens a file in the browser
download [file] - downloads a file

SYSTEM
ver - displays the system version
green - sets command line text to green
white - sets command line text to white

:SkyDrive>_

3.  Typing login at the prompt the first time takes you to the Windows Live Connect Services.


:SkyDrive>login

After giving approval, the command skycmd changes to display logged in:

:SkyDrive>login
logged in

From there on out, just login and use the familiar commands to manage your SkyDrive files.  It is that simple.

References

• An even faster version of SkyDrive
• Connecting your apps, files, PCs and devices to the cloud with SkyDrive and Windows 8
• SkyCMD
• SkyDrive - Free online doc storage and file sharing from Microsoft

Remember - "A day without laughter is a day wasted."
May the wind sing to you and the sun rise in your heart...