Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cloud Drive and how does it work?

Cloud Drive links all of your devices such that whenever a file is updated, it is available on all linked devices. For syncing files, Cloud Drive creates a unique folder for every linked computer and provides separate cloud storage. You can sync files using the Cloud Drive folder on linked desktops, or directly via IDrive.com and download them on the mobile apps.

How much data can I sync to my Sync folder?

Your Cloud Drive folder's storage space is the same as the IDrive plan that you choose. The size is independent of the IDrive account storage. Hence, as long as there is enough space in your Cloud Drive folder, you can continue syncing data to it, even if your IDrive account space gets used up.

How do I know the status of file sync?

Signin to your IDrive account with your username and password and mouse hover the IDrive status item on the menu bar. A tooltip appears displaying the number of files to be synced, the percentage completed, and the speed of the transfer.

Alternatively, you can also right-click IDrive status item 'Status' to see the sync status within the menu. When syncing is complete, a brief notification is displayed on your screen.

Note: The first line in the tooltip displays the IDrive files status followed by the status of the Sync in progress.

Will my files still sync if my computer is turned off?

Cloud Drive will not be able to sync or access your data from computers or other devices unless they are turned on and connected to the Internet. If a computer is turned off when a file is updated from another device, Cloud Drive will update that file, once the computer is on and connected to the Internet.

What happens when I run out of space in my Sync folder?

Upgrade your IDrive account to a higher plan once you run out of space in your Cloud Drive Sync folder. In order to make room for new files, you may even remove the old data that you no longer need.

Can I sync the files in a mapped/USB/external drive?

No, you cannot sync files or folders from mapped/USB/ external drives.

Can I retrieve previous versions of my synced file?

Yes. The Sync folder maintains up to 30 previous versions of all the files.

Steps to restore previous versions of a file:

1. Signin to your IDrive account with your username and password.
2. Right-click on the system tray.
3. Click 'Cloud Drive' > 'My Cloud Drive folder' from the available options.
4. Right-click a file and choose 'IDrive' > 'Versions'. All available file versions will be displayed. Download the desired file by clicking .

How does IDrive's Cloud Drive handle case conflict during sync?

A case conflict can arise when you use different upper-case and lower-case letters to name a file or folder with the same name as a file or folder that is available in the same path. This means that having two files or folders with names like 'pictures' and 'Pictures' in the same location can cause issues.

We recommend to avoid using file names that differ only in case, as this can potentially result in conflicts due to the case-sensitivity and syncing can be unpredictable. It is advisable to use unique and distinct file names to ensure smooth functioning and avoid any potential issues that may arise from case conflicts.

How do I sync files using my IDrive account?

To sync files from your IDrive account,

1. Signin to the IDrive application with your username and password.
   
2. Go to the 'Cloud Drive' tab and click 'Enable Sync'. This will initiate sync and open the Cloud Drive folder on your computer. When sync is enabled, you can click 'Go to My Cloud Drive folder' to open the Cloud Drive folder on your computer.
   
3. Drag and drop files to the Cloud Drive folder from your computer. Files added to the Cloud Drive folder will be synced to your cloud account and all your linked devices.

Note: To link a new computer to your IDrive account via Cloud Drive, signin to the account via the IDrive desktop application on this computer and enable sync.

If I enable Cloud Drive for a computer, will it be enabled for all computers added to the account?

No, only the computers on which Cloud Drive is enabled will be linked to the account.

To link a computer to your IDrive account via Cloud Drive,

1. Signin to the IDrive application with your username and password on the new computer.
2. Go to the 'Cloud Drive' tab.
3. Click 'Enable Sync'. This will initiate sync and open the Cloud Drive folder on your computer.
   

Your computer is now synced to your cloud account and all your linked devices. All the files in your Cloud Drive folder will now be downloaded to your local computer.

How do I know where my Cloud Drive folder is located? Can I change its default location?

Signin to the IDrive desktop app and go to the 'Cloud Drive' tab. You can find your Cloud Drive folder's location under 'My Cloud Drive folder'. Click 'Change' to move the contents of the Cloud Drive folder to a new location.

Alternatively, you can also right-click on the system tray and select 'Cloud Drive' > 'My Cloud Drive folder'.

How do I access my synced files and folders?

To access your synced files and folders,

1. Signin to IDrive with your user credentials.
2. Go to the 'Cloud Drive' tab.
3. Click 'My Cloud Drive folder'.

Alternatively, right-click and go to 'Cloud Drive' > 'My Cloud Drive folder'.

What are the blue and green icons over my files in my Sync folder?

The blue icon refers to files that are still syncing. Whereas, the green icons indicates files that have already been synced.

How do I pause Sync when it is in progress and resume it?

1. Signin to your IDrive account with your username and password.
2. Right-click on the system tray.
   
3. Click 'Cloud Drive' > 'Pause' / 'Resume' from the available options.

Can I check the recently modified files in my Sync folder?

Yes, you can view the recently modified files in your Sync folder.

To look up the recently modified files in your Sync folder,

1. Signin to your IDrive account with your username and password.
   
2. Right-click on the system tray.
   
3. Click 'Cloud Drive' > 'Recently modified items'.

What is Selective Sync Down and how is it useful?

Selective Sync down is a feature that allows you to select only the folders you want to sync to your computer. It gives you the control to ensure that you have only the files you need on a particular computer. It is helpful if you want to save space on your computers with limited hard disk space.

How do I select the folders that I do not want to sync to my computer?

By default all the folders will be selected for sync. If you wish to avoid syncing particular folders,

1. Signin to your IDrive application and select the 'Cloud Drive' tab.
2. Click 'Selective Sync Down'. A window appears with the list of all the folders in your Cloud Drive storage.
3. Clear the checkbox of the folders that you do not want to sync and click 'Save'.
   The folders will be removed from the Cloud Drive folder on your computer.

I can see duplicate files / folders in the sync section. Why is that?

While renaming a folder, there may be some situations where IDrive might be unable to rename all the items (files / folders) in the folder. This leads to creation of duplicate data as the items which could not be renamed are retained in the old folder and the same are copied to the new renamed folder.

Duplicate files / folders are created when:

• File / folder rename operation fails due to inadequate permissions. In order to avoid data loss, a copy of the file / folder is created.
• File path is more than 255 character length. This limit varies based on OS, application used on Windows etc.
• File / folder is locked by others or is in use.
  
  

By default, IDrive retains old files / folders in such cases, to prevent data loss.

How do I share a file?

1. Signin to your IDrive account with your username and password.
   
2. Right-click on the system tray.
   
3. Click 'Cloud Drive' > 'My Cloud Drive folder' from the available options.
   
4. Right-click the file you wish to share and choose 'IDrive' > 'Share This file/folder'. You will be directed to IDrive web account to share your files.
   

Note:

• The shared files will no longer be accessible by your friends, once you delete them or move them to another location.
• The sharing option is available only for IDrive accounts with default encryption.

How can I stop sync?

Once you stop Sync, the files on your computer will not be in sync with other linked devices.

To stop sync on your computer,

1. Signin to your IDrive account with your username and password.
   
2. Right-click on the system tray.
   
3. Click 'Cloud Drive' > 'Stop Sync'.
   

Alternatively,

1. Signin to your IDrive application and go to the 'Cloud Drive' tab.
2. Turn off 'Sync Status'.
3. Click 'Yes' to confirm.

Can I use Cloud Drive to synchronize my Outlook data files or QuickBooks files?

Currently, Cloud Drive cannot sync Outlook (.pst /.ost) or QuickBooks (.qbw) files as these files are continuously being accessed, when Outlook or QuickBooks applications are open. However, you can include these files in the backup set of the desktop application and then back them up to your account.