Nextcloud

If you want to set up a private file-sharing service, there are a number of software solutions available. Among the most popular are the open-source projects ownCloud and Nextcloud, with the latter being a fork of the former.

Once you’ve configured your private server, the official Nextcloud desktop client will help you manage your account and sync files between the cloud and your computer.

After installing the application, you can connect to the server by entering its address and the required login credentials. You can also configure various settings, though this step can be skipped.

You can access the program at any time from the notification area. By right-clicking the icon in the notification area, you can quickly pause or resume synchronization, open the Nextcloud folder, or connect to the server in your browser.

Synchronize files between your computer and the Nextcloud server

You can choose which of your cloud folders to synchronize, and the app lets you monitor all activity on the server as well as data transfers. You’ll always know which files have been downloaded or uploaded, and you can even view the most recent ones directly from the menu in the system tray.

Additionally, you can completely ignore certain files and have the option to request confirmation before syncing very large files.

Last but not least, Nextcloud allows you to limit the bandwidth it uses for downloading or uploading files. The app can either manage the speed automatically or let you set a specific limit.

A great desktop client app for Nextcloud users

Overall, this tool makes it easy to back up files to your Nextcloud server or sync the contents of your cloud drive with a local directory. It’s simple to set up and very unobtrusive, yet it offers plenty of customization options and lets you monitor transfers.