Download an unzipped folder from Dropbox's Public folder

Jul 20, '12 07:30:00AM

Contributed by: azdawg

Sometimes it is necessary to upload an unzipped folder to Dropbox because some PC users can have problems with opening a file zipped on a Mac. However, you can't make a public link from an unzipped folder in Dropbox.

Here's a solution for creating a link to an unzipped folder that you can send to another user so they can download the folder.

  1. Launch the Dropbox website, from the Dropbox menu in your menu bar, or by logging in to Dropbox in your browser.
  2. Click on the Public Folder; its contents will display in your browser window).
  3. Select the folder for which you want the link; don't click on the folder's name, but to the right of it. The selection will turn blue.
  4. Click the Get Link icon above the folder list. A popup window will appear.
  5. Close the popup window by clicking the x icon in the top-right corner.
  6. In the browser window that is open, click on the folder for which you want the link. The browser window will show the content of your folder.
  7. Copy the link in the address bar and paste it in your e-mail.
  8. Immediately after the pasted URL add: ?dl=1
When the recipients of your e-mail click on the link, a browser window will open and the folder will automatically download into their computer, zipped in a format that even Windows users can open.

[kirkmc adds: This does work. However, it seems like a bit of a workaround. I'd find it a lot easier to simply find a tool that zips archives so Windows users don't have problems. However, if you already have files in your Public folder, this can be a good way to give access to a folder's worth of them.]

Comments (5)


Mac OS X Hints
http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20120719202154343