Abstract: Schematized data roaming is described herein. In one or more implementations, a cloud service includes a cloud data store that is configured to store schematized data comprising user preferences and settings of client devices associated with a user profile. The schematized data includes a schema that is shared across the client devices and globally defined by the cloud service which enables the user preferences and setting to be re-used across multiple devices and device classes, including devices that the user has not previously interacted with before. The schematized data includes attributes, for each schematized data structure, which provide rules for processing or storing the corresponding schematized data structure in the cloud data store. Such attributes may include a conflict resolution policy, an upload policy, or a partition policy.

Abstract: A contextual file manager is described herein. Contextual information regarding files and folders of a file system of an operating system is collected. The contextual information may be collected from a variety of different sources, such as contents of the file or folder, an application associated with the file, a service provider, or a cloud storage service. The contextual information is then exposed in a file system interface of the operating system along with representations of the files and folders. In some cases, the contextual information is exposed in response to detection of an intuitive user action to a representation of one of the files or folders via the file system interface.

Abstract: Application launcher sizing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a likely usage context is determined, by a computing device, of a user in interacting with the computing device. An application launcher is dynamically sized within a display area of the user interface by the computing device based on the determined likely usage context of the user. The application launcher is configured for output responsive to an input received from a user and includes a plurality of representations of applications that are selectable to navigate to a user interface corresponding with a respective said application.

Abstract: Determination logic for a cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. Determination logic for the framework is utilized to make state determinations in dependence upon a defined set of file sync properties. The framework operates to make assessments of the file sync properties and set states for files in accordance with the assessments. In implementations, file sync properties are related to corresponding states through a mapping data structure that maps file sync property values to different states and enables look-ups of states based on property values. The framework utilizes and references the mapping data structure to match file sync properties identified for cloud content files to corresponding states and then set states for the cloud content files accordingly.

Abstract: A cloud content states framework is described herein. In implementations, a framework is configured to perform operations for management of cloud content files at the computing device on behalf of cloud storage providers. The framework is operable to manage states for cloud content files accessible from multiple cloud storage services. The framework also manages and outputs state indicators with file system representations of the cloud content files. The states include at least a set of primary states indicative of synchronization status controlled by the framework. The states may also include custom states associated with cloud storage services that are defined via an interface exposed by the framework. In operation, states associated with cloud content files are recognized in connection with rendering a user interface with cloud content file representations. Then, state indicators that reflect the recognized states are exposed along with cloud content file representations in the user interface.

Abstract: Cart mode provisioning of shared computing devices refers to provisioning or configuring the shared computing devices so that the shared computing devices operate in an appropriate mode for a particular shared usage environment. Such a shared usage environment can be, for example, a school environment in which the appropriate mode is a mode in which the shared computing devices are locked so that a limited number of programs and network accessibility is available to the shared computing devices. A user of a setup computing device selects some preferences regarding the setup of the shared computing devices, and a configuration package is generated that includes various configuration information based on the user selections. The configuration package is then made available to the shared computing devices, which are configured or provisioned in accordance with the configuration information.

Abstract: Providing contextual messages from a service to a user in a native application on a system. Embodiments determine a user specific context within the general context of the native application on a first device and provide in a user interface to the user information about the user specific context.

Abstract: Updating a computing device. The method includes identifying a defined computing system role for the computing device. The method further includes, based on the defined computing system role for the computing device, identifying a schedule for performing maintenance tasks for the computing device at the computing device corresponding to the defined computing role for the computing device. The method further includes performing one or more maintenance tasks for the computing device according to the identified schedule.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for sharing items residing on a computing device. Items selected for sharing can be made simultaneously available to users on a local network and to users outside of the local network. A remote sharing service allows access to copies of items based on user identifiers associated. Local attributes associated with items are modified such that the user identifiers are associated with the items for providing access via a local network.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for sharing items residing on a computing device. Items selected for sharing can be made simultaneously available to users on a local network and to users outside of the local network. A remote sharing service allows access to copies of items based on user identifiers associated. Local attributes associated with items are modified such that the user identifiers are associated with the items for providing access via a local network.

Abstract: Surfacing visual representations of universal applications is described. In one or more implementations, visual representations of universal applications purchased or installed on other devices associated with a user account are surfaced in an application launcher interface on a current computing device. The visual representations are selectable (e.g., with a single click or tap) to install the universal application on the current computing device. This enables the user to quickly and easily install universal applications already purchased on other devices onto a current device without having to perform any additional action, such as navigating away from the application launcher interface to enter payment information. In one or more implementations, the visual representations of the universal applications are surfaced under a “recently added” section and/or an “on other devices” section of the application launcher to enable the universal applications to be easily located by the user.

Abstract: Techniques are described for selecting a user interface (UI) element. A first UI element can be displayed on a computing device, such as a mobile phone. The first UI element can be a graphic, such as an icon. If the first UI element is difficult to reach, due to the size of the computing device, an invisible region on the UI can be selectable that has the same effect as if the first UI element was selected. The invisible region can be a second UI element that overlaps or is spaced apart from the first UI element. Alternatively, selection of the invisible region can be handled at the operating-system level.

Abstract: Surfacing visual representations of universal applications is described. In one or more implementations, visual representations of universal applications purchased or installed on other devices associated with a user account are surfaced in an application launcher interface on a current computing device. The visual representations are selectable (e.g., with a single click or tap) to install the universal application on the current computing device. This enables the user to quickly and easily install universal applications already purchased on other devices onto a current device without having to perform any additional action, such as navigating away from the application launcher interface to enter payment information. In one or more implementations, the visual representations of the universal applications are surfaced under a “recently added” section and/or an “on other devices” section of the application launcher to enable the universal applications to be easily located by the user.

Abstract: Surfacing visual representations of universal applications is described. In one or more implementations, visual representations of universal applications purchased or installed on other devices associated with a user account are surfaced in an application launcher interface on a current computing device. The visual representations are selectable (e.g., with a single click or tap) to install the universal application on the current computing device. This enables the user to quickly and easily install universal applications already purchased on other devices onto a current device without having to perform any additional action, such as navigating away from the application launcher interface to enter payment information. In one or more implementations, the visual representations of the universal applications are surfaced under a “recently added” section and/or an “on other devices” section of the application launcher to enable the universal applications to be easily located by the user.

Abstract: Application launcher sizing techniques are described. In one or more implementations, a likely usage context is determined, by a computing device, of a user in interacting with the computing device. An application launcher is dynamically sized within a display area of the user interface by the computing device based on the determined likely usage context of the user. The application launcher is configured for output responsive to an input received from a user and includes a plurality of representations of applications that are selectable to navigate to a user interface corresponding with a respective said application.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for sharing items residing on a computing device. Items selected for sharing can be made simultaneously available to users on a local network and to users outside of the local network. A remote sharing service allows access to copies of items based on user identifiers associated. Local attributes associated with items are modified such that the user identifiers are associated with the items for providing access via a local network.

Abstract: Application notification techniques are described. Implementations are described in which a representation of an application may include notifications that pertain to the application. Techniques are further described which may be used to manage the notifications, including replacement of notifications, use of queues, overrides, selection of notifications based on execution state of an application, cycling a display of a plurality of notifications, cycling a display of different subsets of notifications, examination of a manifest of an application to determine criteria to be used to display the notifications, display priority of the notifications, and so on.

Abstract: Method and computer storage media for sharing resources between a plurality of computing devices associated with a common non-enterprise network. A common set of credentials is stored on at least two or more of a plurality of computing devices that reside behind a routing device and are associated through a common non-enterprise network. Upon storing the common set of credentials, each of the two or more of a plurality of computing devices create a local account that contains, at least, the common set of credentials. The common set of credentials allow for the sharing, among the two or more of the plurality of computing devices, of resource that reside on or are associated with the computing devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a centralized internet commerce platform allows a user to donate to charity as part of an internet purchase. The centralized internet commerce platform 122 may present a sales item of a vendor for purchase. The centralized internet commerce platform 122 may receive from a user a purchase order 300 for the sales item. The centralized internet commerce platform 122 may divert a charity donation from the purchase order 300 to a charity account 150.

Abstract: An operating system of a computer provides an interface, such as an application programming interface, through which applications on that computer can store link data in a consistent format across applications and resources. Thus, when an application stores link data, it sends a command to the operating system providing the link data, invoking a command to store the link data. When an application retrieves link data, it sends a command to the operating system to retrieve link data. Thus, an application can store link data for a history of resources accessed, favorite resources accessed, and other types of resources to be accessed. As a result, the operating system provides a single mechanism for a heterogeneous set of applications and a heterogeneous set of resources to store link data in a single repository.