Thursday, December 13, 2007

FolderShare Deletes Files

Microsoft fixed a bug in its online file storage and sharing service that deleted files without user authorization.

The Microsoft AutoDelete Bug
After users reported problems about Windows Live FolderShare, an online file storage and sharing service, Microsoft went to fix the bug. The bug in the service, the users reported, was deleting files without their authorization.

Windows Live FolderShare is a feature that allows users to store files online and then download and synchronize them to and between different devices and computers. This feature is currently available in beta release.

Microsoft acknowledge the bug and said, in an email on Friday, that it has fixed the problem. The bug may have "accidentally moved" user files from their original folders into the FolderShare Trash folder, and that users should not delete files in the Trash until they are sure all of them were meant to be deleted. Microsoft also advised users on how to retrieve deleted files from the Trash folder. The statement sent to the users was also posted on the FolderShare web site.

The company said it is working to assist users who have lost their files on how to retrieve them. It also said that another online storage service that is also in beta, Windows Live SkyDrive, had not been affected by the bug.

Even after Microsoft said it has fixed the problem, users on the discussion board were still reporting buggy behavior from the service. Users noted that they were having trouble synchronizing files between computers and locating directories when using the service on Windows Vista.

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