In my new job I have a login to windows, that when I login I get all my documents and software wherever I am in the company. 

 

How does this work? Can this setup be done personally? I have a few computers and this would make life much easier. 

I think your questions would nearly need a book sized reply. 

For "How does this work" have a look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roaming_user_profile  "A roaming user profile is a concept in the Windows NT family of operating systems that allows users with a computer joined to a Windows Server domain to log on to any computer on the same network and access their documents and have a consistent desktop experience, such as applications remembering toolbar positions and preferences, or the desktop appearance staying the same."

 

For home computers the only practical solutions are using the "cloud"  or a networked standalone hard drive (a NAS - network attached storage )

Some links to explore

For cloud storage https://support.office.com/en-us/article/sync-your-documents-pictures-and-desktop-folders-with-onedrive-d61a7930-a6fb-4b95-b28a-6552e77c3057 This isn't the only option pointers for research see https://www.cloudwards.net/best-cloud-storage-with-sync/ .

 

Using a NAS device is again a minefield of options.  For example manufacturers such a Synology and Qnap have products for home through to big business use. I use a Synology "home" NAS and only use a fraction of its capabilities.  Have a look at https://www.wdc.com/en-gb/products/personal-cloud-storage/my-cloud-home.html  - guessing it will have menus targetted at the home user.

 

Thanks @peter_k 

For a home user, just use OneDrive

2 hours ago, Babs said:

For a home user, just use OneDrive

 

^ This will work for your files certainly.

But you could equally use Dropbox, Box, iCloud or any cloud (cloud = internet but in marketing speak) based file sharing app of your choice. Security and options dependent on product and budget.

 

Software is a bit trickier. Office stuff would work if you bought into Office 365 or Google Docs which are cloud based pieces of software. O365 works on a subscription model. RRP price is a bit expensive but it's not hard to find discounted real licence codes on Ebay or Amazon.

 

Microsoft, Google and Apple all have their own ecosystems of products. It's probably best to pick the services based on what sorts of devices you like to buy. MS stuff works reasonably well across them all.

Yeah, Office 365 Personal is about £55/year. Comes with full Office applications, web apps, and 1TB storage. I would recommend it because it just works. It takes over your Documents/Pictures folders and automatically syncs them so they're available on any PC you log in to, or from a web browser.

 

There's not a lot in the way of advanced features, but for what it is, and for most people it's good enough.

@Aspman

MS O365 works across many platforms, just about.

The Outlook App on a brand new Samsung A3 Android (my work phone) is terrible... it worked perfectly on my previous work issued Lumia...

You can use something like Teamviewer which allows you to talk to, and use all the stuff on your other computers, It is free to use if you are not a business. It's similar to programs that people use to fix computers remotely. Works a treat for me, my main PC on Windows 7 has programs that do not work on 10, but I can use them on the main PC, while sitting at a Windows 10 tablet.

/\ windows remote desktop does that too. I use it in work where theres licensed software only on a couple of pcs. I remote connect, sometimes through VPN too, and work away in the licensed stuff, at 3am in a van, on mobile data, solving a design problem in front of me. Really handy....

13 hours ago, mac11irl said:

@Aspman

MS O365 works across many platforms, just about.

The Outlook App on a brand new Samsung A3 Android (my work phone) is terrible... it worked perfectly on my previous work issued Lumia...

 

A rare example of MS stuff working best on their own kit. Usually they support Android better than their gear.

I use Outlook.com on iPhone and W10. IMHO it works better on iOS.

I have office 365 and they have updated it so that from the 1st October it can be used on multiple devices at the same subscription rate. 

 

I just liked being able to login to any pc anywhere and have all my desktop how I left it elsewhere with all my doc's etc too. 

MS is looking at introducing Desktop As A Service (DAAS). That really would give you everything you use anywhere as long as you have a browser and internet access.

 

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3293429/microsoft-windows/with-daas-windows-coming-say-goodbye-to-your-pc-as-you-know-it.html

 

I suspect it'll be quite expensive as a subscription and after a few years that will be how we'll get Windows 11 or 12.

Edited 19 September, 20187 yr by Aspman