
OneDrive Files On Demand – Now Supporting Windows Server 2019 OneDrive
OneDrive Files on demand become publicly available after the release of Windows 10 Fall Creators update (version 1709) build 17.3.7064.1005 on October 17th 2017.
The Files on Demand (FoD) feature initially was available to just Windows 10, however with increasing demand for FoD to be available on Windows 8, Mac, Windows Server 2012, 2016 and 2019, Microsoft announced the future plans of which operating systems would and wouldn’t be engineered to work with the new Technology.
Good news for UK businesses! In the last couple of months, Microsoft have officially announced that Windows Server 2019 supports OneDrive and VDI is now fully supported
Perpetual Licences – What will happen on October 13, 2020?
Users in the UK and globally, working on Outlook clients 2010, 2013, or 2016 will no longer be able to access email or calendar data from Exchange Online. For Users on Office clients 2010, 2013, or 2016 will no longer be able to access, edit, save, or collaborate on Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote documents on SharePoint Online. Users on Office clients 2010, 2013, or 2016 Office desktop client applications, such as Outlook, OneDrive for Business and Skype for Business clients will not connect to Office 365 services
Subscription users as well as users on Office PC/Mac 2019 perpetual won’t experience any change
Non-Office 365 users on previous Office clients only using on-premises services won’t experience any change
OneDrive Compatibility
| Operating System | OneDrive Supported | OneDrive Files on Demand Supported |
| Windows Server 2019 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows Server 2016 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows Server 2012 | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows Server 2008R2 | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows Server 2008 | ✘ | ✘ |
| Windows 10 (1709 & above) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Windows 10 (1703, 1607, 1511, 1507) | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows 8.1 | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows 8 | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows 7 | ✓ | ✘ |
| Windows Vista | ✘ | ✘ |
| Mac OS X 10.15 (Catalina) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac OS X 10.14 (Mojave) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mac OS X 10.13 (High Sierra) | ✓ | ✘ |
| Mac OS X 10.12 (Sierra) | ✓ | ✘ |
| Mac OS X 10.11 (El Capitan) or below | ✘ | ✘ |
| Linux | ✘ | ✘ |
One of the key advantages of using OneDrive with Windows Server 2019 is enhanced data protection. Files stored in OneDrive benefit from enterprise-grade security features, including encryption, multi-factor authentication, and built-in ransomware detection. This adds an extra layer of security beyond traditional server storage, helping businesses safeguard sensitive information against modern cyber threats.
Additionally, OneDrive supports automatic file synchronisation and backup. This reduces the risk of data loss caused by hardware failure or human error. With features such as version history and file recovery, businesses can quickly restore previous versions of documents or recover deleted files without relying solely on traditional backup systems.
Collaboration is another major benefit. OneDrive integrates seamlessly with tools like Microsoft 365, enabling teams to share files, co-author documents in real time, and manage permissions efficiently. This improves productivity and ensures that employees can work together effectively, regardless of location.
However, it’s important to consider best practices when implementing OneDrive on a server environment. Administrators should carefully manage user profiles, storage limits, and synchronisation settings to avoid performance issues. In many cases, redirecting user folders or leveraging cloud-first strategies can optimise performance and reduce server load.
At Proxar IT Consulting, we help businesses successfully integrate cloud solutions like OneDrive into their existing server environments. Our approach ensures seamless deployment, robust security, and optimal performance tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Whether you’re modernising your infrastructure or enhancing remote working capabilities, combining OneDrive with Windows Server 2019 offers a scalable and future-proof solution. It empowers your business with secure access to data, improved collaboration, and the flexibility required in today’s digital workplace.
For more information, please contact us