SkyDrive in the Windows Explorer (Microsoft image)

The Storage Wars are heating up, but this has nothing to do with television or storage units.

Microsoft this morning rolled out new features for its SkyDrive online storage service, including previews of a new SkyDrive desktop app for Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista, giving users access to the contents of their SkyDrives from the Windows Explorer interface on a PC.

Microsoft also rolled out new paid storage plans for power users, charging $10/year for an extra 20GB, $25/year for an extra 50GB, and an extra 100GB for $50/year. Free SkyDrive accounts now come with 7 GB of storage and existing SkyDrive users as of April 22 can opt in to get 25GB of free storage.

File storage service Dropbox, which already offers those desktop capabilities, rolled out a new feature that lets people send a link to the files or folders in their Dropbox accounts, making it easier to share files with co-workers, friends and family.

What’s with the frenzy of updates? Google is widely expected to launch its new storage service, Google Drive, later this week.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to GeekWire's free newsletters to catch every headline

Job Listings on GeekWork

Find more jobs on GeekWork. Employers, post a job here.