The Files.com Desktop App for Windows and macOS handles fast, secure, large-scale file transfers between a local system and Files.com. It is built for demanding workflows such as uploading gigabyte-sized files, transferring terabytes of data, or managing thousands of files in a single operation.

Industries including media, healthcare, finance, education, architecture, publishing, and retail rely on the Desktop App to handle these workloads. Unlike traditional tools such as FileZilla, WinSCP, Transmit, or ForkLift, the Desktop App uses parallel processing and a modern drag-and-drop interface.

It consistently delivers transfer speeds two to five times faster than conventional FTP or SFTP tools.

The Desktop App is one of several Files.com client tools. If you're not sure the Desktop App is the right fit, see Desktop App vs. On-Premise Agent below.

Three Modes of Use

The Desktop App can be used in three modes. Mounted Drive Mode integrates Files.com into your operating system, allowing you to browse, open, edit, and save files directly from File Explorer on Windows or Finder on macOS. Turbo Transfer Mode is designed for high-speed uploads and downloads, making it ideal for large-scale data transfers and bulk workflows. Desktop App Sync Mode runs a one-time sync between a local folder and a folder on Files.com. The sections below describe each mode in detail.

Mounted Drive Mode: Access Files via File Explorer or Finder

Mounted Drive Mode integrates Files.com into your operating system. On Windows, it appears under This PC in Explorer, and on macOS it appears under Locations in Finder. In this mode, you can browse folders, open files, edit content, and save changes directly through your native file browser.

Files are transferred in the background, handled by your operating system and internet connection, so you can work with them as if they were stored locally. There is no need to manually download, edit, and re-upload. Double click a file, make changes in the associated application, and save. If a file is not already cached locally, it is downloaded when opened; when changes are saved, the file is uploaded back to Files.com. Large files may take time to open or save depending on your connection speed.

Mounted Drive Mode fits professionals who need direct access to Files.com content in their everyday applications. You can open and edit files in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or in creative and design tools such as Adobe Acrobat Pro, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, SketchUp, or AutoCAD.

This approach removes the need to log in through a browser or manage manual downloads and uploads. It fits teams in creative, legal, finance, marketing, and technical fields who frequently collaborate on shared documents.

Turbo Transfer Mode: High-Speed Transfers for Large Data Workflows

Turbo Transfer Mode refers to launching and using the Desktop App directly from the Start menu or system tray on Windows, or from Applications or the menu bar on macOS. This mode is optimized for high-speed uploads and downloads, making it the best choice for transferring very large files, moving large volumes of data, or performing bulk operations reliably.

It supports drag-and-drop uploads and downloads and provides a familiar interface for browsing files, overwriting, deleting, and renaming items. Transfers run with automatic retries and parallel processing, so large or complex operations complete successfully even under unstable network conditions.

Turbo Transfer Mode fits scenarios where performance and reliability matter. Media production teams use it to upload or download large video files for editing, review, or distribution. Healthcare organizations rely on it for diagnostic imaging such as MRI scans and for transferring research data. Animation and visual effects studios move rendered sequences and production assets in and out of Files.com during production stages. Architects and engineers transfer massive CAD files as part of their project workflows. Retailers upload catalog updates and download vendor submissions. Educational institutions upload recorded lectures and download course materials or student submissions. Publishers move large design files for collaboration, uploading originals and downloading edits or proofs.

Sync Mode: One-Time Sync

Desktop App Sync Mode runs a one-time comparison and transfer between a local folder and a folder on Files.com. If the contents of both folders match exactly, nothing transfers. If they differ, only the files that are new or changed are transferred in the configured direction. A Push run sends files from a local folder to Files.com. A Pull run brings files from Files.com down to a local folder. You choose the local path, the remote path, and the profile to use, then configure options including include and ignore patterns, source file deletion, and dry-run mode.

Multiple Desktop App sync runs can be active simultaneously. Desktop App sync history is session-only and clears when the Desktop App is closed.

Use Sync Mode for major one-time transfers where you need to move a large volume of files in a single operation. Common examples include migrating a media library, moving a completed project archive into long-term storage, or consolidating files from a local drive when onboarding to Files.com. The Desktop App's parallel transfer engine delivers high-speed throughput for these bulk operations.

Desktop App vs. On-Premise Agent

If your use case involves automatically syncing files between on-premise file servers or remote file systems and Files.com, use the On-Premise Agent. It connects local file systems with Files.com, including locally attached storage (disks and drives) and network-attached storage like file share clusters or network drives using CIFS, SMB, and NFS.