I downloaded and installed Windows 8.1 on top of Windows 8. Immediately I was no longer able to open any of my skydrive files from windows explorer although the folder system and files are visible. Attempting to open one results in the error message: "An unexpected file is preventing you from copying the file [though I am trying to open not copy] error code: 0x80070490 element not found.  The files still exist and can be accessed from skydrive.com, but I cannot get at them from windows.  I spent 2 hours with one Microsoft support person where we established that windows 8.1 was irrevocably installed (no restore point). He then said it was an Office problem and passed me to the Office section. In passing, it cannot be an Office problem because PDF and JPEG files re affected too. The Office person had no luck, told me it was a Skydrive problem and promptly dumped the session.

From Skydrive.live the affected laptop is not accessible. In trying to follow the change settings to "allow skydrive to access the laptop" I find there isn't a skydrive icon on the toolbar to access the settings. Any ideas anyone?