Windows Live Mesh
Windows Live Mesh is Microsoft’s new answer to file synchronization and remote desktop access… and potentially, a lot of other functionality as the service develops.
Mesh allows you to sync your data in multiple ways:
- You can sync data directly from PC to PC (or even PC to PC to PC, etc).
- You can sync data to the web using the Live Desktop, so that you have access to it from other computers through web access.
- You can access your PC (or PC’s) through a web-based remote desktop client so that you’re able to work on your computer as if you’re sitting at the computer.
- You can sync data to the web and share it with other users, and keep that data synchronized across those computers and users.
Confused yet? It’s a bit much to take in at first glance, but here’s how it works in the real world…
First, think about the files you have and the computers you work with and how you want to get to them. In my case, I have several things setup across my laptop, tablet, server, and work laptop… on all of my computers I want to synchronize my Documents and Downloads folders. On my laptop and tablet, I want to sync my music, pictures, and videos. I also want to have access to my Documents from the web if I’m using somebody else’s computer. Once you decide what you’re sharing and how you’re sharing it, you’re ready to get started.
Once I install the software, I sign in with my Windows Live ID, and that adds my computer to my Mesh account.
Syncing a Folder to the Web via Live Desktop
From there, I can open “My Computer” on my laptop and find the folder I want to synchronize. In this case, I’m choosing to setup my Downloads folder by right-clicking on my Downloads folder and choosing Add folder to Live Mesh. It prompts for a name and confirmation, so I call it Downloads and click OK. That’s all there is to it… that folder will now synchronize with my Live Desktop on the web. This means it’s accessible by ME on any computer with Internet access.
Syncing a Folder to another PC
So now I have it synchronized to the Live Desktop, I want to synchronize it with my other computers. After installing the client on the tablet, my “Downloads” folder appears as a link on my Desktop. I right click on it and choose, Sync with this computer. It will prompt for a location to sync it. Now, by default it wants to keep everything on your Desktop. Personally, this is not what I want, so I click the Browse button and choose my own folder for it. Usually, I choose the exact same place it was on the other computer just to make it easier for me. But that’s it. From now on, everything you put in that folder (whether it’s on the first computer or the second), it will automatically sync files to the other location. If you modify the same file on both, it will ask you how to resolve the conflict.
Using the Live Desktop
When you sign in to the Mesh web site, you’ll see a list of all the devices Mesh is installed to and a link for the Live Desktop (and the option to install on other computers). If you click on a device (computer), it will give you an option to Connect via Remote Desktop. This means you can remotely control your computer as if you’re sitting at it.
However, we want to click on Live Desktop and choose Connect. This opens up the Live Desktop so you can see and manage your folders and files.
When you open a folder that is being synced to other computers, it will look like the picture below. From here, you can see a list of devices it is syncing with, and invite others to have access to those folders. You can also create individual folders of your own, upload a specific set of files to it, and share that with other people using the Invite option.
Limitations
Currently, there’s a few major limitations to Live Mesh.
- Storage on Live Desktop is limited to 5GB. This is fine for simple document/image sharing, but really high volume users will find this problematic. For example, I have 20GB worth of music and 25GB worth of downloads, so I have to be very selective of what I sync.
- Remote Desktop can’t be shared with other users. This is more of a security matter than limitation, but only YOU can access YOUR computers through Remote Desktop function. For sharing remote desktop privileges with others, you will need to use a tool like SharedView.
- It can be VERY slow to sync. This is especially true on slow connections and when syncing very large files. If you choose to sync a folder with thousands of files and/or really large files, you will bog down your connection for a while, so make sure you are cautious to setup big folders at night.
Still, despite the limitations, Live Mesh is a fantastic tool. As I said above, I’m using it for my Documents, (some) Music, Pictures, Videos, and (some) Downloads. These files sync between all my computers (except my work computer only gets my Documents and Downloads), and I can always remote access my computers if I need to.