-Meeting - in Person and via Zoom - See Above Banner OPCUG Members Welcome! PATACS - Arlington First Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 7 PM Please Come Early & Help with Meeting Setup! Meeting Location: Carlin Hall Community Center, 5711 S. 4th Street, Arlington, VA 22204 Zoom Session: Details Sent via Email Using Zoom

What OneDrive Is and What OneDrive is Not John Santora,Technology Center Director Willow Valley Computer Club (APCUG Workshop Video) John Santora, Director of the Willow Valley Computer Club Technology Center, explained what Microsoft OneDrive is and is not during an APCUG Wednesday Workshop. OneDrive is a cloud storage service that synchronizes changes across multiple devices, making files accessible remotely and enabling collaboration for Microsoft Office applications. However, it is not a complete backup solution, as it does not back up operating systems, applications, or some system settings, and its collaboration features are limited to Microsoft Office apps. The presentation covered how to determine if OneDrive is already installed and active on Windows 10 and 11, noting that a Microsoft account is required. It also detailed the advantages, such as deep integration with Windows and Microsoft 365 apps, and the disadvantages, including the replacement of standard file organization methods and potential confusion when discontinuing its use. Santora discussed the free 5GB storage limit and various paid subscription options for increased storage and access to desktop applications, and contrasted OneDrive with alternatives such as Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox. He emphasized that while OneDrive offers synchronization, it is not a true backup utility because it only synchronizes user data and not system settings or applications. The presentation concluded with recommendations and answers to audience questions regarding file organization, storage limits, and unlinking the service. John Santora is a CPA whose career took him from Price Waterhouse to international publishing companies and to serving as Head of Finance for the Baltimore County Public Library system. Since retiring in 2018, he has stayed active on nonprofit and government boards. Though not a computer professional, John has built strong, self-taught tech skills over the years. Today, he volunteers with the Willow Valley Computer Club at his retirement community in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, hosting a weekly drop-in session where residents can get help with their technology questions. .