Downloading files from Dropbox

Tags dropbox

Overview

This article is intended to guide you through the process of downloading files from Dropbox at the University of Oregon.

Multiple methods are available:

Using the Dropbox application

The Dropbox application is designed to sync a copy of your files to your local computer. This is convenient for taking a copy of them to store elsewhere.

Please Note: If you don't already have the application installed, first see Installing the Dropbox Application and then allow your first file sync to complete before attempting the steps below.

To find your synced Dropbox files:

  1. Open the Dropbox application
  2. Use the Dropbox folder icon to open the local computer folder where your files are being synced
    • Your files can be moved or copied from this local folder location to another local folder
    • To upload files to OneDrive or SharePoint, navigate to this folder location from within those other upload processes
Note: Does it feel like you're missing files? Dropbox has a feature called selective sync that you may have previously enabled. If in use, the application may not be syncing all of your files to your local computer. See How to sync Dropbox files between devices for instructions on checking your selective sync settings.

Using Dropbox on the web

  1. Open a web browser and go to Dropbox
  2. Enter in your UO email address and you'll be redirected to sign-in using your Duck ID and password
  3. Once signed in, you can download all data at once or do so individually, as follows:

All files and folders

  1. Locate All files on your Dropbox home page (at the bottom)
  2. Hover over the folder with your name on it, and select the ... icon (displayed at the far right)
  3. Select Download
  4. Your browser will download a .zip file; when you Extract this, you'll find it contains all of your files in their original folder structure from Dropbox

Specific files and folders

  1. Locate All files on your Dropbox home page (at the bottom)
  2. Click the folder with your name on it to browse into your Dropbox files and folders
  3. Hover over individual files and folders, then select the ... icon (displayed at the far right)
  4. Select Download

Using Rclone

Rclone is a free, downloadable, command-line based utility that can be used as an alternative to installing the Dropbox application.

See Transferring Files with Cloud Services using Rclone for instructions.

Additional Resources

If you need help with this process, open a ticket at Dropbox Support or contact your local IT team for assistance.

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