How to Move Files Effortlessly from Dropbox to Desktop?

Read time: 6 minutes

Picture a substantial container ready to safely hold all your cherished possessions. This is precisely the essence of Dropbox – a versatile cloud storage platform that empowers users to securely store vital data and retrieve it seamlessly from any device, at any time. This service proves invaluable, particularly for individuals with active professional lives, as it ensures accessibility no matter where they may roam.

Many users turn to platforms such as Dropbox, Box, and OneDrive to store their data. However, even a minor mishap involving confidential information can trigger a frantic scramble to transfer files from Dropbox to the desktop or initiate the crucial procedure to backup OneDrive data, among other actions. It’s important to understand that these services primarily function as cloud storage solutions and should not be relied upon as exclusive backup solutions. Moreover, there are numerous alternative cloud storage providers offering more attractive monthly plans and enhanced features.

However, there are distinct reasons behind users opting to take a backup of the data being saved on cloud platforms. Here, we are going to elaborate all about moving your files from Dropbox to Desktop.

Reasons to transfer the data from Dropbox to Desktop-

These are all the possible reasons behind a user wanting to move the files from Dropbox to their system:

• To have complete access to data
  Undoubtedly, accessing data anytime and anywhere is an incredibly convenient approach. However, it comes with a significant caveat: a robust and dependable internet connection is an absolute necessity. When working offline, data accessibility becomes a challenge. Furthermore, if you find yourself without credentials or unable to sign in, it can severely disrupt your daily workflow.
• To reduce expenses
  The platform’s monthly subscription plans come with a relatively high price tag, particularly for individuals and small businesses. Many of these entities might find alternative cloud storage services more appealing due to their ability to provide adaptable plans suitable for a wide range of business sizes. Alternatively, some opt to store their data on local or external drives, a cost-effective alternative when compared to the platform’s offerings.
• To shift to another platform
  Numerous users require the seamless transfer of specific files from Dropbox to alternative platforms, often utilizing their desktop as an intermediary pathway for this process. Alternatively, some users may undertake a comprehensive migration from Dropbox to another platform. To illustrate, you can effortlessly relocate Dropbox data to Office 365 by employing specialized tools such as Kernel Migration for SharePoint.
• To backup data
  Experts strongly recommend implementing a robust double-backup strategy to safeguard critical data. Given the inherent risk involved, users often opt to maintain a local duplicate of their valuable documents.
• To edit documents
  Often there is a need to work or simply edit certain media files, and for that, you want to download some of the files to your desktop.
• To get storage space
  Dropbox offers a complimentary storage capacity of 2GB, which may fall short for many users’ storage needs. To accommodate additional data, users must opt for a paid subscription plan. The limited 2GB storage often necessitates the deletion of files once the maximum capacity is reached, a situation that may resonate with many of you.

When transferring files between platforms, it is crucial to consider and adhere to the necessary conditions to avoid encountering errors. These prerequisites must be met to ensure a seamless file transfer process.

• Use a supported file system only
  A file system serves as a comprehensive catalog of all the data files residing within a storage device. When relocating the Dropbox folder, it is crucial to ensure compatibility exclusively with supported devices. It’s important to note that neither Network File System (NFS) nor exFAT formats are supported in this context.
• Avoid removable media
  Dropbox does not support the transfer of its folders to removable media, such as an SD card. If you intend to use an external hard drive, it should be integrated into your system as one of the internal drives.
• Sufficient space in the PC
  There must be multiple files that you are transferring, so make sure that there is adequate storage space in your system and its hard drives.

Some users prefer to work on the website, while others on the application. The method for both has been explained below-

1. Using Dropbox website
   If you’re not utilizing the Dropbox desktop application, you have the option to download your data directly from the website to your computer. This approach allows you to fetch files and folders individually, making it compatible with both Windows and Mac systems. For multiple files, you can simplify the process by creating a temporary folder and consolidating all the necessary files within it. Here are the steps to help you smoothly download your desired file:
   • Open the official website and sign into your account.
   • Locate the file/folder which you need to move and check the box present in front of it. Click on the Download option.
   • It will download the file on your system at once, and you can open it accordingly.

   The method is only effective when you always have a stable internet connection. In addition, it is convenient for transferring small files and folders. Large files would require a lot of time.

2. Using Dropbox application-
   To get started with this method, ensure you’ve installed the Dropbox application for PC directly from the official website and have successfully set up your account. Once installed, this application seamlessly stores your designated files onto your computer’s hard drive, seamlessly integrating with your desktop environment. If you’re already using the application, it will effortlessly synchronize your chosen files, promptly saving them to your local system. Follow these steps to proceed:
   • Click on Dropbox’s icon which is present in the bottom right corner of the taskbar.
   • Click on the Settings icon and select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
   • Move to the sync tab and click on Move to choose the location of the files you want to move.

With Dropbox data conveniently located on your desktop, transitioning it to Office 365 becomes a seamless process through the utilization of Kernel Migration for SharePoint. This versatile tool streamlines data migration from file servers to OneDrive, simplifying the process significantly. Furthermore, it’s equipped to facilitate data transfer from synchronized folders in various cloud services, including OneDrive and Google Drive. Thus, Kernel Migration for SharePoint emerges as a comprehensive migration solution that supports a wide range of cloud platforms.

Conclusion

Files are often transferred from Dropbox to the desktop for various reasons, such as data backup, offline access, document editing, transitioning to another platform, and more. Users commonly employ either the Dropbox website or the application, each offering distinct methods for downloading these files. A comprehensive explanation of these processes can be found in the article. Furthermore, if you are seeking to facilitate SharePoint Migration for your online Dropbox data, our software provides a seamless solution for direct migration.