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Forum Discussion

Justin P.2's avatar
Justin P.2
Collaborator | Level 10
7 years ago

Is there a way to choose whether .zip files are previewing on the Dropbox website?

I'm a long time Dropbox user and today I went to check if some older links were still active that I had sent to a cleint.  Most of the files are send out are zipped for various reasons.    It ...
File access
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  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    7 years ago
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how this functionality change has impacted your workflow MRMJP, I’d happily follow-up with you on this discussion & I hope my post finds you well! 
     
    You’re absolutely right when it comes to this recent feature implementation, therefore at the moment when previewing an archive file, you can navigate through the archive file structure and preview individual files within the archive. Previously, compressed files (such as .zip & .rar) couldn’t be viewed on the web interface & in case you had received (or sent) a shared link containing this filetype, you’d (or the recipient would) have to download them locally, in order to view the contents. 
     
    That all being said, I appreciate the time you’ve devoted in writing us the specifics of how this alteration has worked for you so far & for that reason I’ve made sure to transfer your comments up the ladder for future reference. 
     
    In any event, please let me know here if you have any more thoughts or questions & I’ll do my best to check back with you. Wishing you a fruitful May & a wonderful rest of the day ahead! 
Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how this functionality change has impacted your workflow MRMJP, I’d happily follow-up with you on this discussion & I hope my post finds you well! 
 
You’re absolutely right when it comes to this recent feature implementation, therefore at the moment when previewing an archive file, you can navigate through the archive file structure and preview individual files within the archive. Previously, compressed files (such as .zip & .rar) couldn’t be viewed on the web interface & in case you had received (or sent) a shared link containing this filetype, you’d (or the recipient would) have to download them locally, in order to view the contents. 
 
That all being said, I appreciate the time you’ve devoted in writing us the specifics of how this alteration has worked for you so far & for that reason I’ve made sure to transfer your comments up the ladder for future reference. 
 
In any event, please let me know here if you have any more thoughts or questions & I’ll do my best to check back with you. Wishing you a fruitful May & a wonderful rest of the day ahead! 
supersv's avatar
supersv
Explorer | Level 4
6 years ago

This is anything but solved. The current UX for sending zip files is terrible. When I send a link to a zip file, I expect the receiver to see a single, big DOWNLOAD button to download the zip file. Not the contents, which is a total mess. 

If some people want to see the contents - make this option configurable, or add a second parameter (akin to dl=1) so that this can be configured.

Thank you.

  • Fiona's avatar
    Fiona
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    6 years ago

    Thank you for posting your feedback and suggestions about this supersv. 

    • Justin P.2's avatar
      Justin P.2
      Collaborator | Level 10
      6 years ago

      Thanks @supersv

      I don't know why Dropbox is being so slow to correct this bad idea. It may look good in theory, or for amatuer users, but if I send somebody a zip file, I feel the same as you. This is amatuer hour.

      Even though I've added a note for my clients about not navigating into the zip and getting lost, people still do it.

      It's a shame because I LOVE the other new features Dropbox has been adding to the desktop apps, and there is nothing else that competes with Dropbox...

      But this zip file behavior makes me want to find an alternative way of sending files.

       

       

      • Tagio1989M's avatar
        Tagio1989M
        New member | Level 2
        6 years ago

        Hi there,

        we sending zip files include bin files which can never preview.

        The download button is hidden / not readable.

        Any solution since 2 years here to change it?

        Or still same behavior and no one take care?

        Thanks!

         

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