If you want to lock or unlock the file that you are sharing with other Dropbox users then read the below article. The below article describes how to lock and unlock a file in Dropbox.
Whenever I share a file with my colleagues to view I do not know how to lock a file while sharing. After doing some practical research I got a way of locking and unlocking a file that we are sharing from Dropbox.
Additionally, I have also mentioned how to disable the locking feature in Dropbox and lock or unlock multiple Dropbox files.
The topics that I have written in this article are listed below for your reference:
- How to lock a file using the Dropbox Mac desktop app
- How to unlock a file using the Dropbox Mac desktop app
- How to lock a file using the Dropbox Windows desktop app
- How to unlock a file using the Dropbox Windows desktop app
- How to lock a file using the Dropbox web browser
- How to unlock a file using the Dropbox web browser
- How to unlock the team member’s Dropbox file
- How to unlock multiple files on the Dropbox of the team member
- How to disable file locking feature in Dropbox
How to Lock a File Using the Dropbox Mac Desktop App
To lock a file in the Dropbox Mac desktop app:
- Open the Dropbox desktop app on the Mac toolbar at the top of the screen and open the folder to lock.
- Right-click the file to unlock it in the Mac Dropbox app.
- Click the lock editing option to lock the file in Dropbox.
Note: The file locking and unlocking feature is available only in Dropbox Advanced, Business, Professional, and Standard upgrades.
How to Unlock a File Using the Dropbox Mac Desktop App
The only people who can unlock the file are the ones who locked it and specific kinds of admins for business teams.
- Open the Dropbox desktop app on the Mac toolbar on the top and open the Dropbox folder to unlock.
- Then right-click the locked file in Dropbox Mac Dropbox to unlock it.
- Press the Unlock editing option to unlock the Dropbox file.
Locking is only possible for shared folder files.
How to Lock a File Using the Dropbox Windows Desktop App
Lock a file using the Dropbox windows desktop app.
- Open the Dropbox desktop app on the Windows toolbar and open the folder to lock.
- Right-click the file to unlock it in the Dropbox app.
- Press the lock editing option to lock the Dropbox file.
By enabling the lock file feature other users with whom you are sharing the file can only view or comment on the file but cannot edit it.
How to Unlock a File Using the Dropbox Windows Desktop App:
Teams and collaborators may coordinate who is editing a file and prevent conflicting copies by file locking.
- Open the Dropbox desktop app on the Windows toolbar and open the Dropbox folder to unlock.
- Then right-click the locked file in Dropbox to unlock it.
- Press the Unlock editing option to unlock the Dropbox file.
Follow the above steps to unlock a file in the windows Dropbox desktop app.
How to Lock a File Using the Dropbox Web Browser
The file-locking feature stops a file from being altered.
- Open the Dropbox account in the web browsers Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.
- Click the All files option on the left sidebar of Dropbox.
- Select the file and click the horizontal ellipse near the selected file.
- The horizontal dots pop down and click the Lock Editing option to lock the file being edited by others.
To edit the content of the file the file should not be locked.
How to Unlock a File Using the Dropbox Web Browser
The file that is shared only can be locked.
- Open the Dropbox account in the web browsers Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox.
- Click the All files option on the left sidebar of Dropbox.
- Select the file and click the horizontal ellipse near the selected file.
- The horizontal dots pop down and click the Unlock Editing option to lock the file being edited by others.
In the locked file the other user is able to view and comment on the file.
How to Unlock the Team Member’s Dropbox File
To unlock the team member’s Dropbox file.
- Sign in to a Dropbox account in the web browsers Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox with the admin details.
- Click the Admin Console in the left sidebar at the bottom of the Dropbox account.
- In the admin Console press the Content option.
- On the content page, we can see the Locked files option click it.
- Select the file and click the horizontal dots “…”.
- The horizontal dots pop down and click the Unlock files option.
- By default settings, the user who locked the file will receive a notification via email once we unlock it.
- If you wish the user does not want to receive the notification uncheck the notification box near the Notify user that the file has been unlocked or Notify locker.
- Then click the Confirm option.
The admin of the Dropbox team account can only lock and unlock the Dropbox locked file.
How to Unlock Multiple Files on the Dropbox of the Team Member
To unlock the multiple files of the team member in Dropbox.
- Sign in to a Dropbox account in the web browsers Google Chrome, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox with the admin details.
- Click the Admin Console in the left sidebar at the bottom of the Dropbox account.
- In the admin console press the Content option.
- On the content page, we can see the Locked files option click it.
- Select the multiple locked files by giving a checkmark near the files to unlock.
- Then Click the horizontal dots “…”.
- The horizontal dots pop down and click the Unlock files option.
- By default settings, the user who locked the file will receive a notification via email once we unlock it.
- If you wish the user does not want to receive the notification uncheck the notification box near the Notify user that the file has been unlocked or Notify locker.
- Click the Confirm option.
By selecting Ask to Unlock on the popup that displays when you try to open a locked file, we can ask the user who locked the file to open to do any modifications.
Alternatively, we can create a copy of the protected file but after it’s unlocked, any changes made to the copy won’t be reflected in the original file.
How to Disable File Locking Feature in Dropbox
The admin has the right to disable the file-locking feature in Dropbox.
- Sign in to the Dropbox account in a web browser with the admin user id and password.
- On the left side of the Dropbox account, there will be Admin Console at the bottom click it.
- In the admin console page click the Settings option.
- Then press the Lock Editing option.
- Switch to the File Locking to off.
- After making the changes click the Save option to save the changes that are made.
Before the file-locking feature was turned off, locked files remained locked.
Conclusion
We have reached the end of the article on locking and unlocking the file in Dropbox using Mac, Windows, and web browsers.
I hope you got enough information on locking and unlocking a shared file in Dropbox. We can only lock the shared file in Dropbox.
Also, we can disable the locking features from the Dropbox settings page.
For more information about Dropbox check the below articles:
- How to See File Size in Dropbox? [3 Different Ways]
- How to Organize Photos in Dropbox? [Web Browser, iPhone, Android]
- How to Check the Dropbox Activity? [Manage, Delete, Create, and Export]
- Why Can’t I Share a Folder in Dropbox?
- How to Create Dropbox Shortcut? [3 Ways]
- How to Stop Dropbox from Opening on Startup?
- How to Move Files from Dropbox to iCloud? [Mac, Browser, iPhone, iPad]
- How to Sync Dropbox With Google Drive? [3 Simple Ways]
- How to Save Outlook Email to Dropbox? [11 Explanations]
Hello, my name is Lucas and I’m a Dropbox user and expert. I’m from the United States of America, specifically in New York. I love staying up to date on the latest tips and tricks, and helping others learn how to use Dropbox like a pro. In addition to being an avid Dropbox user, I also have a background in cloud storage platforms. I love creating how-to tutorials on everything from setting up Dropbox folders to automating file backups. Learn More About Me