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Re: Dropbox password on computer

Need a password for the desktop app on computer

heyjude-2244
Explorer | Level 4
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I use Dropbox to store confidential client info.  When my computer is out for repair there is no way for me to lock the tech out of Dropbox. I’ve been complaining about this for years. I want to be able to put a password on it. 

1 Accepted Solution

Accepted Solutions

Jay
Dropbox Staff
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You can sign out of the Dropbox desktop application by following these steps.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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6 Replies 6

Jay
Dropbox Staff
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Hi @heyjude-2244, are you referring to putting a password on the Dropbox folder itself, or on the Dropbox desktop application?


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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heyjude-2244
Explorer | Level 4
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I'm talking about password protecting Dropbox on my laptop

Jay
Dropbox Staff
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Thanks for the info. While there isn't a direct method to add a password to the Dropbox desktop application itself, you could disable the app from startup, or sign our of Dropbox, or uninstall the app entirely. 

 

Since your local files in the Dropbox folder would be visible, you'd also need to consider deleting the local files as well, although this could result in the files being deleted from Dropbox depending upon which step you took above.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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heyjude-2244
Explorer | Level 4
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That was overwhelming. Safest one was sign out of dropbox if I have to have my computer repaired. HOW do I sign out of dropbox please? thanks. 

Jay
Dropbox Staff
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You can sign out of the Dropbox desktop application by following these steps.


Jay
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


Heart Did this post help you? If so, give it a Like below to let us know.
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Rich
Super User II
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@heyjude-2244 wrote:

Safest one was sign out of dropbox if I have to have my computer repaired.


Remember that signing out of Dropbox does NOT prevent access to the files you have stored in the local Dropbox folder on your hard drive. The Dropbox folder is just a regular folder like any other. It doesn't behave differently from any other folder and cannot be password protected.

 

If you're sending your computer in for repair it's very wise to sign out of the Dropbox application so they can't access your account, but you should also look into protecting the files in your local folder; either by removing them from the computer or finding some other way to secure the folder.

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