Sync Your Files With Dropbox

Dropbox www.dropbox.com

Step 1     Download program

This is a specially great program for people that use computers in different places, but need the same data files.  I use this when I am on the road away with my RV, but still need to pay bills through my "Quicken" software.  This is a desktop and a web application working together.  When you download and install this free application, a special folder is created called "My Dropbox".  It will be created in you Documents, or My Documents folder depending on the version of Windows you are using.

You will then be asked to create a Dropbox account at www.dropbox.com .  A two gigabyte account is free.  This is usually all you will need.  Create the account and watch the video while you are there.

Step 2     Place file in Dropbox

Back on your desktop computer you now need to place those files that you want to use on other computers in the dropbox folder.  I will use the Quicken example to demonstrate this.  In your Quicken Program, go to File - Open and see where Quicken goes to fine your quicken data.  Make a note of the location, by default it is located in the Quicken folder in Documents as shown below.

Now exit Quicken and open "Windows Explorer" (windows key + E) .  Go to the directory containing the Quicken data files and copy the ones highlighted in the photo above.  Move to the "Dropbox folder and paste them into that folder.

Now go back to Quicken and select File - Open and navigate to the "Dropbox folder and select the "QDF" file if you have a recent version on Quicken.  Or one of the other listed file in the type box in the lower portion of the selection area.  See photo below.

Step 3 Set up second computer
When you are on your second computer download "Dropbox" www.dropbox.com to that computer.  Let it install just as you did with the first computer.  When it ask you to set up an account, there will be a check box that ask you if you already have an account.  Select "I already have an account" and fill in your user name and password.  If you are connected to the internet it will start downloading your Quicken file to the Dropbox folder on that computer and they will be identical to the ones on your first computer.

Now when you open Quicken the first time you will need to go to File -Open and select the Quicken file in the "Dropbox" folder.  Again you will only have to do this once, since it will now be the default file and folder.

This can be used with any application program that you have on both computers.  Many people use this to keep photos on both computers, they even provide a default folder for photos and music.  If you use Microsoft Word or other word processors to keep a journal of your travels, this is a perfect way to always have the most up to date version of you work.

You can also place files, including photos, music files, or any other file in the Public section of the folder and it will give you a link to just that folder that you can share with your friends to pass along file you wish to share.  The following  will send you to a video that explains how to start you other computer with the newest copy of Quicken