So I upgraded from Windows 8 to 8.1 as it supposedly allows for direct connection to our work network without the need for a poorly written app the always seems to run on start-up despite the option being deselected. "Well that's a bit annoying" I think, all my colour and picture settings for the start screen and desktop have been changed to rather lurid colours. Never mind, change them back. "Well that's also a bit annoying" I think, lots of the apps I removed from the start screen have been installed again. A bit off a bother, but a few right clicks and un-install and it will all be done right? Mostly....

So to the point. The Microsoft integration with SkyDrive is there, permanently. I cannot be removed or disabled using the standard Windows interface1. There's a registry hack to remove it2 from your Explorer side panel, that's it it seems. Remind anyone of Internet Explorer?

I don't use SkyDrive (nor any other cloud backup system on my computer) so it's an annoyance. Is it an abuse of a dominant position in the market again? I didn't see a choice to install Dropbox or Google Drive as an alternative. Thoughts?

1 - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...ydrive-app-faq
2 - http://lifehacker.com/how-to-get-rid...rer-1447031829