Box

This page will provide information about using the Box cloud storage system (Windows, macOS, Unix) as well as Box Drive (Windows, macOS (?)). You will be working with files on your own computer but you will be backing them up with a system called Box. Duke students have 50 GB of free storage for academic purposes on the box system. Furthermore, you can have box sync up with your local files (as long as you put them in the right place)!

This page was last updated for Fall 2023.

Box Setup

• Go to https://box.duke.edu/.
• Click the LOG IN button.
• If asked if you are Part of Duke? Click Continue.
• Log In using your Duke credentials.
• You should now see your Duke Box - it may be entirely empty.

Local Folder Setup

Next you will create a folder on your local computer to synchronize with your Box folder.

• Go to https://duke.app.box.com/services/browse/newest/box_drive for information about Box Drive and scroll down for the download links for Windows and Mac.
• Download the appropriate file and install it.
• Keep track of where the Box folder is placed on your drive.
  • For Windows it is likely a spur off the main File Explorer window and located specifically at C:\Users\USER\Box where USER is your Windows user name.
  • For macOS, a Box drive will be mounted.
• To see it work, on your computer go into your Box drive, create a new folder, and call it EGR103F23 or ECE280F23 or whatever is appropriate for the class in all caps with no spaces. After you have created it, refresh the browser that is looking at your Box account and the folder should show up in your list!
• Box Drive generally works when you are online and thus keeps things in the cloud and only pulls them down when you need them. To make sure that you have access when you are offline, and to mitigate any internet connectivity issues, you will want to tell Drive to make your folders available offline.
  • In the File Explorer or Finder, open your Box folder. Right-click EGR103F23 or ECE280F23 or whatever is appropriate and then in the context box find "Make Available Offline" or "Show more options" and then within that find "Make Available Offline." If there is a green circle with a check, you are all good already.
  • Once things have synchronized, there should be a picture of a cloud or a green circle with a check by the folder - that is the sign that the folder will be available offline.
• You will never need to set this up again for the computer you are currently working on, but if you end up working on a different computer you will need to install Drive. This also means you can work from public or other computers as your files will always be on Box.

Box References

• https://box.duke.edu/ - Box
• https://duke.app.box.com/services/browse/newest/box_drive - Box Drive