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Forum Discussion

Justin P.2's avatar
Justin P.2
Collaborator | Level 10
7 years ago

Is there a way to choose whether .zip files are previewing on the Dropbox website?

I'm a long time Dropbox user and today I went to check if some older links were still active that I had sent to a cleint.  Most of the files are send out are zipped for various reasons.    It ...
File access
Preview
Sync
Web
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    7 years ago
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how this functionality change has impacted your workflow MRMJP, I’d happily follow-up with you on this discussion & I hope my post finds you well! 
     
    You’re absolutely right when it comes to this recent feature implementation, therefore at the moment when previewing an archive file, you can navigate through the archive file structure and preview individual files within the archive. Previously, compressed files (such as .zip & .rar) couldn’t be viewed on the web interface & in case you had received (or sent) a shared link containing this filetype, you’d (or the recipient would) have to download them locally, in order to view the contents. 
     
    That all being said, I appreciate the time you’ve devoted in writing us the specifics of how this alteration has worked for you so far & for that reason I’ve made sure to transfer your comments up the ladder for future reference. 
     
    In any event, please let me know here if you have any more thoughts or questions & I’ll do my best to check back with you. Wishing you a fruitful May & a wonderful rest of the day ahead! 
Peter-Paul B.'s avatar
Peter-Paul B.
Helpful | Level 6
7 years ago

I use dropbox for a few years. Also daily with download links for my clients and when I use a link to a zip file it is confusing for a client to see the download button. I had several questions from my clients: I can see the files but how can I download?

 

Here is a comment from a client: We can not save the files in Dropbox. All files are visible, is there perhaps a security on the files?

 

I Think this should change. Dropbox is easy and this is not logical

 

Change dl=0 to dl=1 workes good, but to do this every time manually is not an option.

So my advice: a large download button and option to see the files inside

 

Hopefully you can take this in notice

  • Justin P.2's avatar
    Justin P.2
    Collaborator | Level 10
    7 years ago

    Exactly. The downlaod button should be big and very visible, not hiding at the top right. And now that you can navigate inside zip files which is a terrible idea, even the little downlaod button goes away once you are inside it.

     

    I can't beleive somebody thoguht this new "feature" was a good idea.

    • morganw951's avatar
      morganw951
      Helpful | Level 6
      7 years ago

      I completely agree. This was a terrible "feature" idea and is causing great frustration with my clients and myself. A .zip archive link should always be a straight and obvious download only, or at least the foremost prominent option displayed in a browser, not the contents.

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