What is the Dropbox desktop app?

With the Dropbox desktop app, you can save, view, share, and access the files and folders stored in your Dropbox account from your computer. When you download and install the Dropbox desktop app, two things are added to your computer:

• The Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
• The Dropbox icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac)

How to open the Dropbox desktop app

Once you’ve installed the Dropbox desktop app, you can open your Dropbox folder in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

• Learn how to open apps on Windows computers.
• Learn how to open apps on Mac computers.

You can also access the Dropbox desktop app by clicking ☑ (Dropbox) on your taskbar (Windows), or menu bar (Mac). Learn how to find the Dropbox icon in your taskbar or menu bar.

Note: You can manage your local storage space by making files online-only. 

How to use the Dropbox desktop app

When you open the Dropbox desktop app by clicking   (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac), you can access the following: 

• Home: Get on overview of your files and folders
• Folders: Open your Dropbox folders
• Activity: Click (Activity) to access your recent mentions, invites, and requests
• Open on web: Click to open Dropbox in your web browser
• Account menu: Click the round account menu (profile photo, initials, or a person icon) to access your account settings, including: 
  • Snooze notifications: Pause notifications for a set amount of time
  • Preferences: Set or update your accounts, backups, screenshots, networks, notifications, or sync preferences
  • Sync & storage: Manage your sync status, resolve any sync issues, monitor and manage age space on your hard drive, or make files available offline
  • Help: Open the Dropbox help center in your browser
  • Quit: Close the desktop app

How to set your preferences on the Dropbox desktop app

To change your preferences:

1. Click (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) to open the Dropbox desktop app (Windows).
2. Click the round account menu. Depending on your account, this may appear as your profile photo, your initials, or a person icon.
3. Click Preferences.

Can't find Preferences on the Dropbox desktop app?

When you open the Dropbox desktop app, click the round account menu to access Preferences. Depending on your account, this may appear as your profile photo, your initials, or a person icon.

Learn more about your Dropbox desktop app preferences.

How to close the Dropbox desktop app and stop syncing

You can completely close the Dropbox desktop app and stop your files from syncing to your Dropbox account. To close the app:

1. Click ☑ (Dropbox) in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
2. Click the round account menu. Depending on your account, this may appear as your profile photo, your initials, or a person icon.
3. Click Quit.

What can I do on the Dropbox app?

On the Dropbox desktop app you can manage your files and folders using: 

• Automatic sync: Real-time synchronization of files between the files on your computer and dropbox.com.
• Automatic backup: Back up files and folders on your computer to your dropbox.com account in the cloud. After the initial backup, any changes you make will be reflected in your account in the cloud. Learn more about Dropbox backup.
• Offline access: Access and edit files without an internet connection; syncing will occur automatically later.
• Drag-and-Drop management: Move files in and out of Dropbox from your File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
• Desktop app integration: Better integration with other applications for direct saving and sharing.
• Streamlined file recovery: Restore previous file versions directly from the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
• Background syncing: Continue syncing files in the background without interrupting your workflow.
• Improved performance: Faster transfers for large files due to direct interaction with the local file system.
• File information: Quick and easy access to important information on your files and folders, such as syncing status, availability, and hard drive usage.

You can easily access all these features by right-clicking your files or folders directly from your File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac).

Dropbox desktop app system requirements

The Dropbox desktop app is available on Windows 10, and 11 (not in S mode), and on macOS 11 Big Sur and later. Learn more about Dropbox system requirements.

If your computer is running on Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and macOS 10.13, 10.14, 10.15, the desktop app is available on a simplified version. Learn more about the simplified version of the Dropbox desktop app.

If your operating system is not compatible with the desktop app, we recommend upgrading it to a supported version:

• Windows: Upgrade to Windows 10 or later.
• macOS: Upgrade to macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.

Learn how to update your operating system.

Once your operating system is updated, you can download and install the latest version of the Dropbox desktop app on dropbox.com.

Learn how to download and install the Dropbox desktop app on your computer.