This means any edits you make to a file are automatically updated in Dropbox. Dropbox works on computers, tablets, and even smartphones to give you access to files on the go.ĭropbox also “mirrors” any files you upload, syncing local files on your PC to your files in the cloud. For example, you can save your work presentation on your home computer and then open it on your office computer without using a USB drive or emailing it to yourself. This is a good thing, as it means your files are backed up and then backed up again.īecause Dropbox stores files in the cloud, you can access them from any device.

Basically, when you upload a computer file (a document, photo, etc.) to the cloud, it’s stored on the internet in addition to your personal computer, which means you can still access it even if your computer breaks, falls in a lake, or is otherwise inaccessible.ĭropbox uses cloud storage, storing your files on lots of computer servers located in various places. In recent years, “the cloud” has become one of those tech buzzwords that gets thrown around without everyone really understanding what it means. In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn what Dropbox is, how to sign up, and what kinds of special features make Dropbox a great choice for backing up and storing your important files. Sounds great, right? There’s a reason Dropbox has 600 million users and counting. If your PC breaks or you’re away from your regular computer, Dropbox has your back, making it easy to pull whatever you need from the cloud.

There are plenty of other cool features, too, such as sharing, collaborating, and the ability to view previous versions of a document.īasically, you can think of Dropbox as a big virtual file cabinet that stores all your important documents. Dropbox is a cloud-based file storage service that lets you backup files on your computer and access them from anywhere.

What is dropbox for