What is Dropbox? Exploring Features and Account Registration
1. Introduction to Dropbox.
2. Dropbox Account Levels.
3. Dropbox Data Sync.
4. Smart Sync Feature of Dropbox.
5. Registering a Dropbox Account.
6. Transferring and Uploading Files to Dropbox Web.
7. Using Dropbox on PC.
8. Utilizing Dropbox on Mobile Devices and Web.
9. Practical Uses of Dropbox.
1. Understanding Dropbox
Dropbox is a cloud storage and backup service available for Mac, PC, and most mobile devices. It ensures that everything in its specific folder is securely stored online, accessible from any device. Moreover, Dropbox provides a robust API for developers, allowing various apps to integrate with their service for storage and cloud syncing purposes.
2. Dropbox Account Levels
Dropbox offers three account levels:
- Basic Account: Access Dropbox for free by signing up and creating a basic Dropbox account. With this account level, users get 2GB of storage space.
- Plus Account: You need to pay $99/year or $9.99/month to subscribe to a Plus account, which offers 1TB of storage space.
- Professional Account: Priced double that of Plus accounts, but you'll get 2TB of storage space.
3. Dropbox Data Sync
A copy of your files stored on Dropbox remains on your computer's hard drive. Any changes you make are updated in the cloud. Dropbox synchronizes your data across all devices. As long as you can access your account, you can download any file stored in the Dropbox folder on your computer.
This system keeps files safe from any technical mishaps you may encounter with your computer, such as a hard drive failure. Dropbox also makes it easier to move important files to a new computer and share data with friends and colleagues.
4. Intelligent Sync Feature of Dropbox
When you open a document on your computer, the Smart Sync feature moves the file to the cloud, freeing up space on your hard drive. You still have access to the files, but they are now stored in the cloud. You can also manually move files to the cloud without opening them.
5. Registering for a Dropbox Account
If you decide to use the free package, to create a Dropbox account, visit the website dropbox.com and click on Get Dropbox Basic. Then, enter your name, email address, and password or sign up with a Google account. After clicking the Create an account button, you will be redirected to a screen providing options to download Dropbox.
Once the executable file is downloaded, open it, and Dropbox will automatically install. Now, you can transfer your most important files to this cloud storage service.
6. Transferring Files to Dropbox and Uploading Files to Dropbox Web
You can browse files, select one or more files to upload to Dropbox web, as well as transfer files from the system to the Dropbox folder through drag-and-drop or copy/paste operations. When transferring files from the computer to the Dropbox folder and uploading files online, pay attention to the following 3 different icons:
- Blue arrow: File is being uploaded.
- Green checkmark: Upload process is complete.
- Red X mark: Upload process failed.
7. Using Dropbox on Your Computer
Once you've installed the Dropbox version for your computer, you'll see a folder named Dropbox, and any files you add to this folder will automatically be copied to your Dropbox account. You can find the Dropbox folder by opening File Explorer and navigating to This PC on Windows. Then, double-click on the hard drive where Dropbox is installed. It's usually located in your C drive.
Typically, users may also find the Dropbox folder under the Quick Access feature.
8. Using Dropbox on Mobile Devices and Web
Using Dropbox on the web mirrors the desktop experience. When logging into your account, all recently modified files on your computer will be displayed. You can access all files saved in the Dropbox folder on your computer, perform edits, rename, share, move, or delete files.
Additionally, users can use Dropbox on mobile devices by downloading Dropbox for iOS or Android from the app store. And they function just like the web browser.
- Download Dropbox for PC.
- Download Dropbox for Mac.
- Download Dropbox for Linux.
- Download Dropbox for iPhone.
- Download Dropbox for Android.
9. What Can You Use Dropbox For?
Data Sharing: There are 2 ways to share Dropbox files: through the system to other Dropbox users and by copying the Dropbox share link to send to others. You can restrict permissions when sharing files including edit, view, and comment.
Download Files: In case you're using a new device and need to access files stored on Dropbox, but don't want to install or don't have Dropbox on the device, you can log into Dropbox web and download the necessary file. Changes made will not be synchronized in Dropbox.
File Requests: File requests allow you to invite others without a Dropbox account to upload files to your Dropbox. This is a useful feature when you need to receive files from employees or colleagues who don't use the service.
File Recovery: Dropbox keeps a copy of files you've deleted for up to 30 - 120 days depending on the account level you've chosen. Simply select the file you want to restore and press the Restore button to retrieve all desired deleted files.