Quick Start Dropbox

Dropbox Quick Start
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox is software that links all of your computers together via a single folder. It’s the easiest way to back up and sync files between computers.  The Dropbox Desktop Application is software that watches a folder on your desktop computer and syncs any changes to the web and your other computers. The Dropbox Website allows you to access your files on anycomputer from a web browser. You can also use the Dropbox website to share your files or folders with others. The Dropbox mobile website and Dropbox for mobile devices allow you to connect to your Dropbox from your pocket, so you can take your files with you wherever you go.

Is it for me?
Transferring data between computers usually requires uploading via web forms, connecting to network drives,carrying around thumb drives, or sending emails with attachments to yourself and others. Dropbox makes all of these methods obsolete. If you're looking for a better way to transfer data over the internet or are just looking for a way to improve productivity within your team, Dropbox is for you. 

Adding files to your Dropbox
You've found your Dropbox folder, and you're ready to start using it.Let's move a file to your Dropbox folder.

Step 1: Drag and drop a file into your Dropbox.

Step 2: The blue icon means your file is syncing with Dropbox.

That’s it! The green icon means that your file has finished syncing and is now available from your other computers and the website. Now that Dropbox is watching your file, any changes you make will sync instantly.

What do I do now?
There arethree ways to interact with the Dropbox installation on your computer:

The Dropbox Folder
When you install the Dropbox desktop application, Dropbox creates a Dropbox folder on your hard drive. In fact, if you’re reading this guide, then you probably already found your Dropbox folder! Your Dropbox folder is just like any other folder on your hard drive. When you move a file to your Dropboxfolder, you are also moving your file to your Dropbox folders on the web and your other computers. You don’t need to do any manual copying or uploading; Dropbox takes care of all of that for you! The green circle and check mean Dropbox is fully synced.

The blue circle and arrows mean Dropbox is currently syncing and files are uploading/downloading.

The red circle with an “X” means Dropbox isunable to sync. Usually, this is because your storage quota is full (can’t upload), your hard drive is full (can’t download), or you are experiencing connection problems (no internet).

The Dropbox Contextual Menu
When you Right-Click (Windows/Linux) or Control-Click (Mac) a file or folder in your Dropbox, you’ll see a menu. This is called a contextual menu. The Dropbox desktop application installs asub-menu there that allows you fast access to some of Dropbox’s best features.

Some things you can do via the Dropbox contextual menu: Share a folder invites your friends to access a folder in your Dropbox. That folder and its contents will appear in their Dropbox folders as well as yours. View Previous Versions allows you to view your file’s change history and revert your file to an olderversion. Browse File on Dropbox Website... to view the file on the Dropbox website. Copy Public Link lets you share a file with your friends via a URL, or internet link.

The Dropbox System Tray/Menu bar icon
The Dropbox system tray or menu bar icon is where you can check the current syncing status and change your Dropbox settings.

The same green, blue, and red icons that appear over the files andfolders in your Dropbox also appear over the system tray icon to alert you to Dropbox’s overall syncing status. You can get more detailed information when you right-click on the Dropbox icon from the system tray or menu bar lining the bottom (Windows) or top (Mac/Linux) of the screen. The resulting pull-down menu allows you to do such things as: Access your Dropbox folder, the Dropbox website,...