Desktop app system requirements
The Dropbox desktop app is available to Dropbox users on Windows and Mac computers.
What’s included in the Dropbox desktop experience?
Open Finder and select Go to folder. From the Go menu. In the dialog box that appears, type /Dropbox/ and then press the return key. To get to your Dropbox folder in the future, open Finder (it’s the smiling Mac icon in the Dock, typically located at the bottom of the screen) and click Dropbox in the left panel. If you want to move the Dropbox folder to another location on your Mac, see Move the Dropbox Folder to a New Location. Dropbox installs a login item into and integrates itself into the Finder. You can change this configuration at any time in Dropbox Preferences. Click the Dropbox icon along the top of your screen, and then the down arrow next to your initials. Select Preferences from drop-down menu. Open Finder and select Go to folder. From the Go menu. In the dialog box that appears, type /Dropbox/ and then press the return key. The new version of the Dropbox desktop application gives you the option to disable the Finder integration. Disabling this integration means that you won’t be able to get sync status icons next to your files, or access Dropbox menu options by right-clicking on files.
When you download and install the Dropbox desktop app, three things are added to your computer:
- The Dropbox desktop app itself, where you can organize all your files and folders and coordinate with others
- Dropbox in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) for quick access to your files
How to start using the new Dropbox desktop experience
- If you or your team are already using the Dropbox desktop app, learn how to opt-in to the new desktop experience
- If you or your team don’t have the Dropbox desktop app installed yet, learn how to download and install the new desktop experience
Once you’ve installed the Dropbox desktop app, you can open it just like any other application on your computer—through the macOS Launchpad or Windows Start Menu.
Open the desktop app when starting your computer
To set the Dropbox desktop experience to open automatically when you start your computer:
- In the General tab, check Start Dropbox on system startup to open Dropbox in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and sync files and folders in your Dropbox folder to your account online, whenever you start your computer.
- Check Open the desktop app when starting Dropbox to open the desktop app on startup as well.
Open folders in the desktop app
You can choose for folders to open automatically in the Dropbox folder in Finder/File Explorer or the desktop app. To change that preference:
- Click the dropdown next to Open folders in: and choose Finder/File Explorer or Dropbox desktop app.
Set the Dropbox desktop app as your team’s default file browser
You can choose whether your team’s default browser is their native file browser—Finder or Windows Explorer—or the Dropbox desktop app. To make the Dropbox desktop app their default browser:
- Sign in to dropbox.com using your admin credentials.
- Click Admin console.
- Click Settings.
- Click Dropbox desktop app under the Devices section.
- Click the dropdown menu next to Dropbox desktop app defaults and select Dropbox desktop app.
- Click Save.
Note: Changing this setting will not override any settings selected by team members on their own devices.
What’s the easiest way to open the app from my desktop?
For easy access to the Dropbox desktop app from your desktop, we recommend:
- For Mac, add the app to the Dock or create an alias (shortcut) and add it to your desktop
- For Windows, pin the app to your desktop or taskbar
Close the Dropbox desktop app and stop syncing
How To Display Dropbox In Finder
To close the desktop app, click the “x” icon in the corner of the desktop app. However, this will not quit Dropbox completely or stop your files from syncing to your Dropbox account. To quit completely:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Click your avatar (profile picture or initials).
- Click Quit Dropbox.
Note: If you use a Mac computer and you right-click the Dropbox icon in your dock and click Quit, this only closes the desktop app, but doesn’t quit Dropbox completely or stop your files from syncing to your Dropbox account.
FAQs about the new Dropbox desktop app
Will the new desktop app change how my files are synced?
No. The new Dropbox desktop app won’t change the way your files are synced to your computer in any way. You can continue using the Dropbox folder in Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows) exactly as you did before. You can even change your preferences to continue to open the Dropbox folder by default instead of the new desktop app.
Does the new Dropbox desktop app require any additional computer resources?
No. The system requirements for the Dropbox desktop app have not changed. If you’d like to reduce memory and processor consumption, you can choose to open your folders automatically in the Dropbox folder instead of the desktop app.
Can I go back to using the Dropbox folder in Finder/File Explorer?
Yes. The new desktop app doesn’t change your Dropbox folder in Finder/File Explorer. You can keep using it exactly as you did before. You can also choose for your folders to open in the Dropbox folder instead of the desktop app.
When it isn't syncing, are you certain that Dropbox is running?
If it is running it should have an icon in the Menu bar (looks like a box with all of the top flaps open). If it isn't running, open Finder and click on the Finder's Go menu in the menu bar and then click Applications. When the applications folder opens, find and start Dropbox. (An easier way to do that is to use Spotlight Search via Command spacebar shortcut or via the magnifying glass icon in the menu bar and then tap dropbox into the search window).
Dropbox In Finder Not Working
Once you have Dropbox running, click on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, then click the gear-shaped icon, then Preferences, then General in the bar at the top of the Preferences window and put a checkmark in from of 'Start Dropbox at system startup.' If you do that, it should always be running and should sync automatically.
Dropbox In Finder
Apr 15, 2016 8:57 AM