You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.

Forum Discussion

Trinity2019's avatar
Trinity2019
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

Try the File locking Dropbox feature.

Can you explain the the File Locking system through the early access program so we won't have conflicting versions? We would like to know how this feature works and if it is right for us. Thank You...
FAQ
Security
Team admin
  • Fiona's avatar
    Fiona
    6 years ago

    Thanks for joining Community Trinity2019. 

    I am so excited to talk about the "File locking" Early Access Business feature! :grinning:

    You can now lock a file that is contained in a shared folder. This way you can prevent people from editing the file, even if you have given them edit rights on the folder.

    Locked files have a lock icon on them but can be viewed by all collaborators of the folder.

    Only the one that locked the file or the admin signed in as the user, will be able to edit this file until it is unlocked. 

    I think this is going to be very useful. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions! 

     

Brian B.39's avatar
Brian B.39
Helpful | Level 7

Is this file locking mechanism automatic or do we have to right click and lock/unlock the file?

Rich's avatar
Rich
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
6 years ago

It's a manual process.

  • Harald H.4's avatar
    Harald H.4
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    A manual process is better than no process. However, this is stone-age. DOS solved the issue in the late 80's as far as I remember. People will forget to manually lock files and to unlock them. File locking mechanisms should be automatic at least in MS Office applications.

    How to achieve this behaviour?
    Alternatively, when will this functionality be available?

    Additionally, why not overlay the Dropbox mechanism for file locking with the Windows mechanism, allowing for file locking on a device basis?

     

    • s_l_h's avatar
      s_l_h
      Explorer | Level 4
      6 years ago

      Hi Fiona, you mention 'early access' - is this just limited to some business accounts currently? If so, when will it be released to all accounts?

       

      Thank you

      • Rich's avatar
        Rich
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
        6 years ago
        s_l_h wrote:

        Hi Fiona, you mention 'early access' - is this just limited to some business accounts currently?

        Team Admins can enable the feature on the Early Access page within Settings in their Admin console.

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