The Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite)

Updated Jan 31, 2025

The information in this article applies to all Dropbox users on Windows 10 or later.

This article discusses the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (also called Dropbox Lite), which is only available for Windows 10 or later. Windows in S mode is a Universal Windows Platform which runs on phones, computers, tablets, and Xbox. See if your device supports Windows in S mode.

The Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite) does not actively store files and folders on your device. It works similarly to the regular Dropbox mobile app (even when you’re using it on a computer).

Note: The Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite) is not the same as the Dropbox desktop app. If you’re using the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite) and you’d like to use the Dropbox desktop app instead, switch out of S mode, then download and install the Dropbox desktop app.

How do I install the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode?

You can only install the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite) from the Microsoft Store.

How does the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode store my files?

With the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite), your files and folders aren’t stored on your device by default. This means you’ll need to be connected to the internet to access your files and folders.

Note: If you’d prefer to store your Dropbox files and folders on your device so you can access them without an internet connection, switch out of S mode, then download and install the Dropbox desktop app.

What’s the difference between Dropbox Lite and the Dropbox desktop app?

The Dropbox app for Windows in S mode (Dropbox Lite) has many of the same features as the Dropbox mobile apps and dropbox.com.

With Dropbox Lite, your files and folders are not actively stored on your device, and you need to be connected to the internet to access them. With the Dropbox desktop app, your files and folders are stored on your device by default and you don’t need to be connected to the internet to access them unless you use selective sync or make files online-only.

If your device is running Windows in S mode and you’d like it to actively store your files and folders on your device, you can use Windows 10 or later instead. Switch off S mode on your device and then download the Dropbox app for Windows.

Questions about the Dropbox app for Windows in S mode?

If you have a question or are experiencing an issue with the Dropbox Lite app, we recommend searching the help center for articles relating to those other platforms. It’s likely that the answer to your issue will be the same.

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