Quick Links: | Introduction | File Explorer | Box Drive App | Tips & Tricks |
Introduction to Box Drive
Box Drive is a software program that allows users to access the files/folders stored in their Box account (in the cloud) from their desktop. These files are “streamed” from the cloud and are not physically on your hard drive, although they appear to be. The Box Drive software has two distinct but interrelated components: integration with Windows File Explorer and the Box Drive app itself.
File Explorer
Box integration with File Explorer allows users to access the content available to them through their Box account on their desktop as if the files/folders existed on their local hard drive. These files will populate in File Explorer folders much like the files/folders stored on their local hard drives. The biggest difference between these and regular files is that files in the Box Drive folder will have icons next to them denoting their status in Box in the cloud.
Box Drive Icons
The Box Drive icons will appear in the lower left of the folder. Here is what these icons mean:
- Blue Cloud Icon: Item is up-to-date in Box
- Orange Cycle Icon: Item is in the process of being saved to Box
- Red Exclamation Icon: Item is a problem item
- Red Padlock Icon: Item has been locked
If you do not see icons in Box Drive, try exiting the Box Drive app, or clearing and resetting Box Drive on Windows. If that doesn't resolve the issue, please submit a ticket with our Box Team for additional help.
If you need assistance with Problem items, you can check the Box Support page for common issues or submit a ticket with our Box Team.
Box Drive App
The Box Drive app is accessible through the Box icon which is usually located in the hidden icons tray on the Windows taskbar. From this interface, users can search (with limited functionality), update Box Drive, and identify problem items. Click here for more information regarding problems in Box Drive and how to troubleshoot these items.
Tips and Tricks
The following information lists some helpful tips that will make working with Box Drive easier.
Using Box Drive allows you to do things like search for files, create shortcuts, share and collaborate on files, and lock files from editing.
Searching in Box Drive
Box Drive’s file search function in File Explorer is limited. For best results, use the Box Drive app or access your Box account in a web browser.
To search for files using the Box Drive app:
- Open the Box Drive app by left-clicking the Box icon found in the hidden icons tray.
- You can search with limited functionality in the window that displays.
Creating Shortcuts
With Box Drive in File Explorer, you can create desktop shortcuts for files and folders. These shortcuts function as extensions of Box Drive, automatically updating and syncing with your cloud account.
To create desktop shortcuts, use Box in File Explorer:
- Using Box in a File Explorer, navigate to the folder or file you want to create a shortcut for.
- Left-click the file/folder in question to display a menu.
- Find the Send to option and hover over it to display its side menu.
- Right-click the Desktop (create shortcut) option to create a desktop shortcut.
The shortcuts created through Box Drive will look like regular shortcuts but anything added, deleted, or updated from said shortcut will also be added, deleted, or updated in Box.
Sharing and Collaborating
Box Drive does not offer sharing or collaboration tools. To share files, you’ll need to manually attach them to emails by dragging and dropping. Additionally, Box Drive does not display indicators for shared files or folders.
Sharing and collaborating must be done in Box on the web.
Locking files
You can lock and unlock files via the File Explorer. As of now, however, you cannot see who locked a file or for how long it will be locked. Files that are locked will have a red dot with a locked-white padlock next to them. Files you have locked have an opened-white padlock.
When collaborating on a file, be sure to lock it before opening it with Box Edit. This prevents others from making changes, helping you avoid duplicate work or accidentally overwriting team members' contributions.
Still need help? Contact IT Support Services for further assistance or put in a ticket directly with our Box Support Team.
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