Microsoft converts OneDrive app into a Progressive Web App for Windows 10

Microsoft is likely to replace its OneDrive app for Windows 10 with a PWA variant, and here's how the new app looks like.

OneDrive Progressive Web App for Windows 10
OneDrive Progressive Web App for Windows 10

Microsoft is ditching its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) version of the OneDrive app for a modern Progressive Web App (PWA) variant.

On Windows 10, you can access your files stored in OneDrive with two apps. You can use the built-in sync client that allows you to view and upload files using File Explorer, and you have the OneDrive app, which you can get from the Microsoft Store, and it allows you to interact with your files similar to the web experience.

The one that the company is updating is the Microsoft Store app, and according to Windows Latest, the new version is available for devices enrolled in the Fast ring of the Windows Insider Program.

When you install the new OneDrive app, you’ll notice an entire new experience, which is virtually the same as the OneDrive web experience indicating that this is a PWA.

OneDrive PWA for Windows 10
OneDrive PWA for Windows 10

In this new version, you can still add multiple accounts. You can manually upload files, view recent files, photos, shared files, and the contents of the recycle bin.

As you come to expect from the web experience, folders now offer richer top menu with options to upload, share, move, copy, rename, create albums, soft files, and change views.

Selecting or right-clicking a files give you access to a lot of options, such as download, share, move, copy, add to album, set as cover, view history, and many more.

Overall, it’s an improvement over the old app, even though, it just appears to be the web version wrapped around an app frame with offline capabilities. 

The app is available now as a preview, and with some glitches, for Insiders, and it’s unclear when the app will become available to everyone.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.