How to Start Using Dropbox

In the past, sharing computer files meant copying them onto physical media storage devices such as CDs and flash drives and then renting or transferring those devices to others. However, with the current growth rate of the Internet with the introduction of the Cloud Computing model, sharing files online through a certain website has become much simpler. . Dropbox.com is one such site. Read on to learn how to share files using Dropbox.

Use the Web Interface

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When you visit Dropbox.com, the first thing you see will be displayed as shown in the image above.

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Instantly create your own Dropbox account. Fill in your name and email address. Use a strong password to keep your Dropbox secure. After providing all the required details, click on the 'Sign Up' button.

If you successfully sign up, you will be taken to your Dropbox Website Interface.

Now that you have a Dropbox account, here's how to share files.

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Click 'Share a Folder'.

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You will then be asked whether you want to create a new shared folder or share an existing folder. The shared folder will automatically appear in the Dropbox of the person you want to share the file with. Choose to create a shared folder and name the file. Then click 'Next'.

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You will be taken to a page with 2 text fields. In the field above, you can fill in the email address of the person you want to share the folder with. The text field below is for the optional message you want to send to that person. Once you complete these two text fields, click the 'Share Folder' button.

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If everything is correct, you will see the shared folder you just created on the next page. You can now upload files to Dropbox!

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To upload a file, click 'Upload'.

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On the menu that appears, select 'Choose Files'.

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A window will appear. Go to the folder where the file you want to share is located. Select the folder and press the 'Open' button.

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You'll be returned to the upload menu where a progress bar appears and automatically uploads your file. Here, you can choose to upload additional files.

Once the upload is complete, the file will appear in the shared folder. Completed!

Using the Desktop Application

You can also share files using Dropbox without using a web browser like Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Dropbox has a home screen app that can be downloaded for free from the official website. To download the app, go to the Dropbox.com homepage and click the 'Download Dropbox' button.

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Once the download is complete, click on the file to run the application installer. Once opened, click 'Install'.

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After completing the installation, a menu will appear. Enter the email address and password you used to sign up for Dropbox previously. Then click 'Sign In'.

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The message 'Congratulations!' (Congratulations!) will appear, notifying you that your Dropbox has been successfully installed. Click 'Open my Dropbox Folder'.

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To get files to your Dropbox, you can either use the 'Drag and Drop' method or the 'Copy - Paste' method. Once the file transfer is finished, a check mark will appear indicating that your files are synced. Complete!

Use Dropbox