Re: No Download Option

Holly J.1 · ‎02-18-2015

Hello, I use to be able to download my folders by right clicking and choosing the download option or choosing the download file option when the folder is open. I no longer am given the option to download. The only options I am getting is to share, open, delete, rename, etc. I prefer to download the folders and not copy or move out of dropbox. Why did it change and what can I do?

Mark · ‎02-18-2018

You can download files that are sync'd you just need to tap on the ... first.

See:

That is for an Excel spreadsheet which IS downloaded locally. I clicked on the file which opened it in Excel online and then clicked on the ...'s to get that menu. Not very user friendly I agree though.

OR

If you want to download multiple files click on the tick boxes and then tap 'download' (a word of warning with this one though, if its a file which can be edited online [e.g. Office] you get a different menu and need to follow the above):

[This thread is now closed. If you have a similar or new question, you can ask here]

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Rich · ‎02-18-2015

When you're on a computer that has the files synced locally, the Download button is replaced with an Open button. This allows you to open the file locally without having to download it first. Any changes you make to the file after opening it will be synced back to Dropbox automatically.

https://help.dropbox.com/desktop-web/open-button

A K.8 · ‎08-18-2015

This causes confusion. I just spent 10 minutes trying to figure out why I couldn't download a file. I was viewing files in a web browser because DB wasn't synching (although it showed everything was "up to date".)

Glenn T.2 · ‎01-11-2016

This is such an unncessary feature that is not properly explained in the system. I had the same problem of DB not synching and hence wanted to download the latest version using web browser.

Thatzlife · ‎12-03-2016

No nono! We want to simply DOWNLOAD A FILE. The option is no longer there. Why the hell would drop box take away such a essential option? I may as well cancel my account. What's the use of having all these files up in a Dropbox cloud that I can't download?!?! This is so lame!!!

Mark · ‎12-03-2016

Thatzlife - you dont need to download it *because it already exists locally on your machine*.

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310EI · ‎12-03-2016

@Thatzlife wrote:
What's the use of having all these files up in a Dropbox cloud that I can't download?!?! This is so lame!!!

Hello...

If you're using Dropbox's Desktop Client then there's absolutely no reason to DOWNLOAD a file that's already on YOUR hard drive.

DOWNLOAD BUTTON APPEARS WHEN NEEDED:

If you'd like to see for yourself that the DOWNLOAD BUTTON is still available when it's necessary... please look inside of my EXAMPLE FOLDER.

OTHER FORUM MEMBERS HAVE ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION IN THE PAST:

Josh's answer.
Rich's response.
My replies to Jessica's related questions.

BLOG ARTICLE:

From web to desktop: Introducing a new way to open Dropbox files

HELP CENTER ARTICLES:

clinntt · ‎12-04-2016

When accessing my dropbox from a virtual machine, I am unable to download my files because the download button is gone. The files are NOT downloaded within the virtual machine.

Thatzlife · ‎12-08-2016

Ok thanks

louisw · ‎05-25-2017

All the hostile BS "solutions" aside, the loss of the download feature is a nightmare. NOTHING is on my drive anywhere and there is no way to get it, I'm sorry. Dropbox has become a museum. I'm outa here.