The Files.com Desktop App for Windows and macOS is built to support fast, secure, and large-scale file transfers between a local system and Files.com. It is purpose-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 efficiently. Unlike traditional tools such as FileZilla, WinSCP, Transmit, or ForkLift, the Desktop App leverages advanced 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 while providing a more streamlined user experience.

Two Modes of Use

The Desktop App can be used in two modes, depending on whether speed or convenience is the priority. Fast Transfer Mode is designed for high-speed uploads and downloads, making it ideal for large-scale data transfers and bulk workflows. 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. The sections below describe each mode in detail.

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

Fast 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 simple drag-and-drop uploads and downloads and provides a familiar user interface for browsing files, overwriting, deleting, and renaming items. Transfers are managed with automatic retries and parallel processing, ensuring that even large or complex operations complete successfully, even under unstable network conditions.

Fast Transfer Mode is particularly valuable for scenarios where performance and reliability are critical. 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.

In all of these cases, Fast Transfer Mode provides the environment needed to move large or frequent data sets quickly, reliably, and with minimal effort.

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 automatically 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. You simply 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, but the process is seamless and requires no extra steps.

Mounted Drive Mode is especially useful for professionals who need direct access to Files.com content in their everyday applications. Users 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 eliminates friction by removing the need to log in through a browser or manage manual downloads and uploads. It is particularly valuable for teams in creative, legal, finance, marketing, and technical fields who frequently collaborate on shared documents.

On-Premise Agent vs Desktop App

If your use case involves automatically syncing files between on-premise file servers or remote file systems and Files.com, consider using On-Premise Agent. It provides an efficient way to connect local file systems, including locally attached storage (disks and drives) and network-attached storage (such as file share clusters or network drives using CIFS, SMB, and NFS), with Files.com.