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Windows Desktop Client

Seamless file sync with native Windows system tray integration for Windows 10 and 11.

Native Windows Experience

The DotNetCloud desktop client integrates naturally with Windows, sitting in your system tray and keeping files synchronized in the background. Built with Avalonia for excellent Windows 10 and 11 compatibility with a modern, native appearance.

  • Bidirectional Sync — Files sync automatically between your PC and your DotNetCloud server
  • System Tray Integration — Runs silently in the notification area with status at a glance
  • Chunked Uploads — Large files transfer in 4 MB chunks with automatic resume
  • Delta Sync — Only changed portions of files are transferred
  • Selective Sync — Choose exactly which server folders to sync locally
  • Conflict Resolution — Conflicting edits preserved as conflict copies
  • Files On-Demand — Browse your entire server file tree without downloading everything. Files are fetched on access with placeholder entries for offline browsing
  • Windows Service — Can run as a Windows Service for headless sync
  • Startup Integration — Auto-launches on Windows login
DotNetCloud Windows tray popup showing sync status, account details, storage usage, and quick actions

Tray Icon Status Indicators

The system tray icon gives you instant visibility into the sync status.

Idle

All files synced. Green checkmark.

Syncing

Transfer in progress. Blue spinner.

Paused

Sync paused. Rebecca purple pause icon.

Conflict

File conflict detected. Orange branch icon.

Error

Sync error occurred. Red warning.

Offline

No server connection. Gray ring.

Installation

Requirements

  • OS Windows 10 (version 1809+) or Windows 11
  • Arch x64 (64-bit)
  • RAM 256 MB (additional)
  • Disk 100 MB + space for synced files

Prerequisites

  • Server A running DotNetCloud server
  • Account Your DotNetCloud username and password
  • Network Network access to the server
1

Download a Release Package

Get the Windows client from GitHub Releases. Most users should install the .msix package.

2

Install

For .msix, double-click and complete the installer. For ZIP, extract and run install.cmd from an elevated Command Prompt.

3

Launch and Connect Your Account

Start SyncTray, add your server URL, authenticate in browser, then pick a local sync folder.

DotNetCloud Windows setup dialog showing server URL, credentials, and sync folder selection
4

Confirm Startup

The installer creates a per-user startup entry so SyncTray launches automatically at sign-in.

Advanced mode is for admins who want explicit control over install paths, service lifecycle, and scripted upgrades.

Advanced prerequisites: run installer commands in an elevated shell, expect script-based installs under C:\Program Files\DotNetCloud\DesktopClient, and keep the previous ZIP/MSIX artifact available so you can roll back quickly if post-upgrade checks fail.

1

Install via ZIP Bundle + Scripts

PowerShell (Admin) 
# Download and extract installer bundle
Invoke-WebRequest https://github.com/LLabmik/DotNetCloud/releases/latest/download/dotnetcloud-desktop-client-win-x64.zip -OutFile dotnetcloud-desktop-client-win-x64.zip
Expand-Archive dotnetcloud-desktop-client-win-x64.zip -DestinationPath .\win-x64 -Force
Set-Location .\win-x64

# Preferred: CMD-first installer (no execution-policy dependency)
cmd /c install.cmd

# Alternative PowerShell installer with explicit path
# .\Install-DesktopClient.ps1 -InstallPath "C:\Program Files\DotNetCloud\DesktopClient"
2

Verify Service, Package, and Tray Startup

PowerShell 
# Windows service (created by script install mode)
Get-Service DotNetCloudSync

# MSIX package check (if using MSIX install path)
Get-AppxPackage -Name DotNetCloud.SyncTray

# Startup shortcut created for current user
Test-Path "$env:APPDATA\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\DotNetCloud SyncTray.lnk"
3

Launch and Troubleshoot Manually

PowerShell 
# Launch MSIX app
Start-Process "shell:AppsFolder\DotNetCloud.SyncTray_xrs2wr7p8d2rc!SyncTray"

# Or launch script-installed tray executable directly
Start-Process "C:\Program Files\DotNetCloud\DesktopClient\SyncTray\dotnetcloud-sync-tray.exe"
4

Upgrade and Uninstall Safely

Upgrade by rerunning install.cmd or Install-DesktopClient.ps1 with the new release bundle. Use uninstall.cmd (or Uninstall-DesktopClient.ps1) for complete cleanup.

Client Features

Sync Engine

  • Real-time monitoring — Windows filesystem events trigger immediate sync
  • 4 MB chunked uploads — Large files split for reliable transfer
  • SHA-256 deduplication — Identical content isn't re-uploaded
  • Resume on interruption — Connection drops don't restart uploads
  • Bandwidth-friendly — Delta sync transfers only what changed

Windows Integration

  • System tray icon — with status, progress, and quick actions
  • Auto-start on login — runs silently when you sign into Windows
  • Windows Service mode — runs as a background service without UI
  • Notification toasts — Windows notifications for sync events and errors
  • Explorer integration — right-click to open synced folder directly
Windows Client Feature Showcase Composite screenshot showing: (1) the Windows 11 tray icon with popup open, (2) a Windows notification toast showing "3 files synced", (3) the sync folder in Windows Explorer with DotNetCloud files. Arranged as a clean collage.

Capture: Take individual screenshots of the tray popup, a sync notification, and the sync folder in Explorer, then compose them into a collage.

Troubleshooting

Tray icon not visible in Windows 11

Windows 11 hides some tray icons by default. Go to Settings → Personalization → Taskbar → Other system tray icons and toggle DotNetCloud to On.

Windows Defender or antivirus blocking sync

Add your DotNetCloud sync folder and the client executable to your antivirus exclusion list. Some security software can interfere with filesystem monitoring and chunked uploads.

Authentication errors

If you're behind a corporate proxy, ensure the proxy allows WebSocket connections to your DotNetCloud server. Check your server URL uses the correct protocol (https://) and port number.

Logs Location

Client logs are stored at %LOCALAPPDATA%\DotNetCloud\logs\. Include these logs when reporting issues.

Also Available On

Get DotNetCloud on all your devices.

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