How to use Dropbox

Dropboxis a file-hosting service that enables you to stock, request and share files online. It supports any types of files, from PDFs to movies and is pretty much the digital equivalent of a flash-drive, with even more benefits. Let’s look atDropbox’s main uses and find out how to make the best of it.

Host Files on Dropbox

The first thing you need to do to useDropboxis to sign in. You can create an account, providing your name and a valid email, or you can login with yourGoogleaccount. Once this is done, you’ll accessDropbox.com. It will direct you toward downloading the desktop version, so that you can also access your files on your computer when you’re offline. Once this is done, go back to the onlineDropboxhomepage. This is what it should look like:

To add a file,click on the ‘Upload File’ button, on the right. On the desktop version, you can also simplydrag files toward your Dropbox folder. With the free, classic Dropbox, you get 2GB of storage so feel free to upload as many files as you want before you reach the limit. Your files will appear both in the web and desktop version and will automatically be backed up. This is what it looks like on the computer version:

Share Files on Dropbox

Once you’ve added your files, you can start using Dropbox to share them ! It is very simple and incredibly convenient. On desktop, simplyright click on your fileandselect ‘copy Dropbox link’:

A link will be copied and you can paste it to send it to anyone you wish.

Online, open your file andclick on the ‘Share’ buttonthat appears on top. Thenclick on ‘copy link’ or type in an email addressto directly send your file:

Anyone will be able to access your file once you’ve shared it. ADropboxaccount is not required to open the link.

Dropboxalso enables you to create Shared Folders. Go back to your homepage andclick on ‘Share Folder’, in the top-right corner:

A window will open, asking you to create a new folder or share an existing one.Select your preferred optionandclick ‘Next’.

Name your folder and enter the email of the persons you want to share it with. It will then appear under the ‘Shared Folder’ category. This can be extremely useful if you’re working on a team project, or want your colleagues to have easier access to work documents. The persons you’ve shared your folders with will be able to download the content, comment on and edit the files.

Following a similar process, you can also share links.

Request Files on Dropbox

Another useful feature of Dropbox is ‘File Request’. This enables you to invite anyone to send files to your Dropbox, even if they don’t have a Dropbox account. It can be particularly useful if you’re working on a photo-book and need to gather pictures for example. Only you will be able to access the files you’re sent. A new folder will get created for each request so that you can keep your project separated.

To do so,go to ‘File Request’, which appears underneath ‘Files’. Thenclick on ‘request files’, on the right. A window will open, asking to name your request and select where the received files will go.

Once you’ve completed this step, a link will be created. Copy it and send it to the persons you want to collect files from, or simply email the request:

A folder will be created in ‘File Requests’ and the sent pictures will appear there:

This is the message the invited persons will receive:

Recover deleted files on Dropbox

Another great feature is thatDropboxalso allows you to recover deleted files until 30 days after they first were deleted. If you realise that you’ve deleted a file by mistake,go to ‘Deleted Files’on the left. All the files you deleted in the last 30 days will appear:

Click on the file you want to restoreand this window will open:

Click restoreand your file will be in your Dropbox again.

Upgrade Dropbox

The free version of Dropbox allows for 30 days of recovery. If you think you may need more, you canupgrade to Dropbox Plus. For £6.58 a month, you will get 1 TB of storage, 120 days to restore deleted files and many great features such as the possibility to password protect files. If you think this would be useful at work, Dropbox also offers aBusiness versionwhich starts at £10 a month.