OneDrive for Business - instant access from Windows Explorer

Scenario: your OneDrive for Business files are already uploaded (sync'd) from the main computer but it's taking a while for other computers to download (sync) locally. Is there a way to create "instant access" to the live (online) files?

Microsoft have gone to a lot of trouble to make access to OneDrive files a painless and simple process online - just log onto http://portal.office.com and they're there. However, when working on a desktop operating system like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 Pro users like that Windows Explorer familiarity. Thankfully it is possible to "connect" OneDrive for Business so that it appears as a hard disk (network share) attached to the computer. Here's how we recommend you do that:

Step 1: Copy the SharePoint URL

Open http://portal.office.com and log in. Go to OneDrive and copy the URL in the address bar, up to and including the trailing "/" after the folder name "Documents". Select the URL and copy (right-click or CTRL+C on keyboard)

In this example the URL is https://bizName-my.sharepoint.com/personal/user_bizName/Documents/Forms/All.aspx but we need to remove "Forms/All.aspx" from the end so that we're left with the correct URL - https://bizName-my.sharepoint.com/personal/user_bizName/Documents/

Step 2: Add a network location to Windows (this example is based upon a Windows 7 computer)

Go to "Computer", right-click and choose "Add network location"; at the first dialog windows click "Next"

When asked "Where do you want to create this network location?" select "Choose a custom network location", and then click "Next"

Paste (right-click or CTRL+V on keyboard) the URL that you copied in step1, then click "Next"

Name the location "OneDrive for Business - ONLINE", and then click "Next" and "Finish"

The network location now appears in Windows Explorer as "OneDrive for Business - ONLINE"