M365 Changelog: Files On-Demand refresh for macOS

MC314017 – OneDrive’s Finder integration is getting an update in macOS 12.1 Monterey based on Apple’s new File Provider platform. With this update, the OneDrive folder will be visible under Locations in the Finder sidebar, providing easy and quick access to all your OneDrive files. Additionally, Microsoft will also be updating the Files On-Demand experience and this update will also render a seamless OneDrive experience that feels native on the latest version of macOS.

Note: OneDrive Files On-Demand, which is enabled by default, helps you view and access all your files, individual or shared, without having to download them and use device storage.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID: 82033.

When this will happen:

Microsoft will begin rolling this out in mid-January and expect to complete rollout early February.

How this will affect your organization:

All devices running macOS 12.1 Monterey will receive this update. The main changes to the end-user experience will be a better integrated OneDrive entry point in Finder’s Sidebar and more native-like iconography used for sync status per folder/files.

macOS 12.2 will be the last version that supports the classic Files On-Demand experience. For future macOS versions, this means:

• Files On-Demand will default to on for all users and cannot be disabled.
• Devices will migrate automatically to the new Files On-Demand as soon as they receive a macOS update. You cannot delay this update without also delaying an update to macOS.
• Both the Standalone and App Store versions of OneDrive will have the same behavior.
• Users running a developer or beta version of macOS will have the same experience as a release version of macOS.

What you need to do to prepare:

You might want to notify your users about this change and update your training and documentation as appropriate.

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