Your Computer’s Dropbox Folder

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Step 4 in Learning About Dropbox

In the last step, we viewed our new cloud storage using our browser on our computer. Now here comes the cool part: you can configure your computer to have a Dropbox folder, just like any other folder on your computer (like Photos, Documents, etc.). The cool part is that any files you put in this folder will synchronize with your Dropbox on the Cloud.

This means that:

  • If you put files into this folder, they will automagically upload themselves to the Cloud.
  • If some get put in the Cloud, they will automagically download themselves to this folder.
  • If you edit one it one place, the changes get made to the other.
  • If you delete it from one place, it’s deleted from the other (you can copy it somewhere else on your hard drive, first!).

Pretty cool, huh?Do you have Dropbox on your computer?

If you tinkered with Dropbox before this, your computer may already be setup. You may or may not know if you have it setup. Here’s how to tell:

  • I don’t know if I have Dropbox setup:
    To see if you have this part installed on your computer, go to your Windows File Explorer (the viewer you use to view your folders). Look to see if you have a Dropbox folder in your Favorites section (it’s circled in red):

    In your Windows File Explorer, the Dropbox Folder is in the upper left corner under "Favorites."

    Note the easy-to-find location of the Dropbox folder in your Windows File Explorer.

    You might also see the Dropbox icon in your system tray, usually located in the bottom right of your screen: DropboxIconInTray

    If you see either one of these, your computer is set up!

  • No, I don’t have Dropbox installed on my computer:
    To install it on your computer, use your browser to get to  the Dropbox cloud. Click on the menu button (down arrow) next to your name (circled in red).

    The Dropbox main screen. The menu is next to your name, in the upper right corner.

    The Dropbox main screen. Red circle indicates where the Menu is (next to your name).

    Click on the Install option. It will take you to a screen where there’s a big button that says Free Download. Click that, and follow the instructions.

    You should now see the Dropbox folder and tray icons (shown in the “I don’t know” section, above).

  • Yes, I have it on my computer. Awesome! Let’s try this thing out!
Let’s See How This Works: Synchronizing your Computer and the Cloud

Find a picture on your computer that you want to test. Doesn’t matter which one. (Yes, it can be any file. It doesn’t have to be a picture. Just don’t pick a huge, 10GB file just yet!)

  • In your Windows File Explorer (not your browser!), Copy this picture to the Dropbox folder. (Not sure how to copy? Select the file and right-click, select Copy. Navigate to the Dropbox folder, then right-click and select Paste.) You now have the file in two places on your computer: in its original location, and in the Dropbox folder. Be sure you have it in both places!
  • Now go to your browser and view your Dropbox folder. You should see your file there. It’s automagically uploaded to the cloud. Cool, huh?
  • Now, in your browser, Delete this file. (Highlight it, then click the Delete icon located at the top of the list of files). When you confirm the delete, look for a little bubble at the bottom-right of your screen notifying you that a file was deleted.
  • Look at the Dropbox folder and you’ll see that it’s gone. Cool, huh?
  • Practice one more time: COPY the file back to the Dropbox folder (and therefore the cloud). Be sure to copy it.

Now you know how synchronizing folders work. Let’s add the Android devices to this party. >>>
<<< Back to Configuring the Dropbox Cloud

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