Chapter 7 · 7.1
Why the desktop app? Browser, app or network drive
Your WebOké Nextcloud works in any browser. Still, it's often handy to have your files in a plain folder on your computer too, in Windows Explorer or the Finder on your Mac. For that, you install the free Nextcloud Files app. It keeps a folder on your computer and your Nextcloud automatically in sync: that's called synchronising.
There are three ways to get to your files from your computer. This chapter covers all three.
| In the browser | Desktop app Nextcloud Files | Network drive (WebDAV) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install | Not needed | Once per computer | Not needed, but needs setting up |
| Files in Explorer or Finder | No | Yes, in a regular folder | Yes, as a drive |
| Works without internet | No | Yes, for files stored on your computer | No |
| Space on your drive | None | Your choice: everything, part of it, or only what you open (Virtual files: see everything, only download what you open) | None |
| Log in | Password and login code | Once via your browser, the app creates its own app password | With an app password you create yourself |
| Large files and many files | Good, keep the tab open | Best: keeps going in the background | Varies, Windows has limits |
| Sharing, versions, trash | Yes | Via the app's menu or the browser | No, use the browser for that |
| Our advice | For quickly looking something up or sharing | For daily work | Only if there's no other way |
What exactly does the desktop app do?
- Your files from WebOké Nextcloud sit in a folder on your computer. On Windows, that folder is called Nextcloud by default and is located in your user folder; on a Mac, you'll find it in Finder under Places on the left.
- Put a file in that folder, and it appears in your Nextcloud a few seconds later. Change something in the browser, and it automatically appears on your computer too.
- With virtual files, you see everything, but a file is only downloaded when you open it. That way, even a large Nextcloud fits on a small laptop (Virtual files: see everything, only download what you open).
- Working without internet for a while? You can simply carry on working in the folder. As soon as you're back online, the app puts your changes into your Nextcloud.
The app works with every WebOké Nextcloud package: Free, Personal, Family and Max.
What do you need?
- A computer with Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer) or Windows 11, macOS 13 or newer, or a 64-bit Linux.
- The address of your WebOké Nextcloud. That's the address you see in the browser when you're logged in, for example https://demo.webokecloud.nl or https://cloud.jouwbedrijf.nl.
- Your username and password, and your mailbox or authenticator app for the login code.
You can read how to install the app in Installing Nextcloud Files on Windows (Windows), Installing Nextcloud Files on Mac (File Provider) (Mac) and Installing Nextcloud Files on Linux (AppImage) (Linux).
Tip: do you work a lot with documents, spreadsheets and presentations? Then also read Working with Office files from your computer. It explains when it's better to open a document in the browser rather than from the folder on your computer.