Dropbox: Install the Desktop App
- Daniel Brashler
- Andrew Januszak
- Kathy Frederick
The most powerful way to use Dropbox involves installing their desktop app onto your computer. This app is a synchronization tool that can be configured to leave the bulk of your files in the cloud, while keeping copies current or important files stored locally, in case you need to work on them while you're not connected to the internet. You can then access those files from all of your computer's applications.
In order to use your Lehigh Dropbox, you'll need to make sure you're enrolled first. When you enroll, you'll receive an invitation email from Dropbox.
In the email, click the "Sign in to Dropbox" button in the email will take you to the Sign-In page on Dropbox website.
You can also open a web browser and navigate to https://www.dropbox.com, and click "Sign In".
When you type in your Lehigh email address in the "Email" box, (abc123@lehigh.edu), you'll see note indicating that "Single Sign-on is enabled". Click "Continue."
You'll be sent to the Lehigh Single Sign-On page to enter your Lehigh username and password, and sign in with Duo.
Once you're at your Dropbox home page, find and click on your profile icon / picture, and select "Install Dropbox App" from the drop-down menu.
The download page will appear. Click "Download Dropbox."
Depending on your system, run the downloaded installer program either directly from the browser window, or by finding and double-clicking on it in your Downloads folder, and double-clicking the installer icon.
On a Mac, you'll need to approve running the installer by clicking "Open" in the security dialog.
When the installer starts, you'll need to log in by entering your Lehigh email, and being forwarded to the Lehigh Single-Sign-On page to enter your Lehigh username and password.
The first time you log in, you'll be taken to a dropbox web page, and asked to copy and paste a "Link Code" from the page into the app.
The installer will ask whether to allow Lehigh Admins to control the SmartSync setting for the app.
Leave this checked, and click "Next", and in the last screen, click "Next" again.
You'll receive an email from Dropbox, inviting you to add files to your dropbox.
You'll also see an invitation to set up your _separate_ personal Dropbox. (Switching between your Lehigh Dropbox and your personal one is pretty easy).
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