Nextcloud Desktop
An open-source desktop sync client for self-hosted or hosted Nextcloud Server, with multiple accounts, folder selection, virtual files, bandwidth limits, sharing and conflict copies.
What Nextcloud Desktop does
Nextcloud Desktop connects a local directory to a compatible Nextcloud Server. Classic sync keeps a full local copy, while virtual files can reduce disk use on supported operating systems. The client is not the server: sharing, versions, quotas, locking and end-to-end encryption depend on server version, apps and policy.
WebDAV, conflicts and backup boundaries
The client relies on the server's WebDAV endpoint, certificate and reverse proxy. When local and remote copies change together, a conflict copy is typically preserved for manual comparison. Sync is not a backup, and the same directory should not be controlled by multiple sync tools or edited directly in the server data directory.
Maintenance note
This page reviews Nextcloud Desktop 34.0.1, platform packages, multi-account sync, virtual files, WebDAV, ignore rules, conflict copies and GPL-2.0-or-later licensing. Content review date: 2026-08-23.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
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Nextcloud Desktop 34.0.1 sync and virtual files guide
Confirm the server and WebDAV in a browser, configure one test folder for classic sync or virtual files, rehearse conflict and recycle-bin behavior, then add production folders or accounts.
Before you start
- Prepare a reachable Nextcloud Server, account and two-step or app password, and verify the certificate and web login first.
- Match Windows 10 1809+ x64, macOS 13+ or Linux x86_64, and back up old client settings, sync database and unfinished uploads.
- Reserve space for full sync, virtual-file cache and logs, and keep the directory away from other sync services.
Installation steps
- 01
Install the 34.0.1 package
Use the Windows x64 MSI, macOS PKG or Linux x86_64 AppImage or distribution package, preferring a stable build for production.
- 02
Add the server and account
Enter the same server root used by the web client, complete authorization and verify account, certificate and available quota.
- 03
Choose classic sync or virtual files
Select clear local and remote folders for classic sync, or test online-only, keep-downloaded and release-space states with a small account first.
Quick start
- 01
Test upload, download and deletion
Change a test file locally and in the web interface, observe status and activity logs, and use the server recycle bin to verify restore behavior.
- 02
Rehearse a conflict copy
Edit the same test file offline and in the web interface, reconnect and compare the generated conflict copy manually before deleting either version.
- 03
Set bandwidth and ignore rules
Configure proxy and limits, add only explainable temporary-file patterns to the ignore editor and retest after each rule change.
Usage tips
- The client communicates through WebDAV; a working web login with a broken reverse proxy, certificate or WebDAV path can still produce desktop failures.
- Virtual-file availability differs by operating system and build; validate offline retention and release-space behavior on every target platform.
- The same path controlled by multiple sync tools can produce data loss, while direct edits to the server data directory bypass application rules.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why can the browser log in while the desktop client fails?
Check server root, WebDAV endpoint, certificate chain, reverse-proxy path, app password and client logs in that order.
Why are files skipped or conflicts repeated?
Check invalid characters, case sensitivity, ignore rules, locks, disk and server quota, then stop other sync programs and inspect diagnostics for sensitive filenames.
- Stop sync and disconnect foldersLet tasks finish, resolve conflicts and record local and server paths; disconnecting a folder stops sync but does not decide which side to retain.
- Revoke the device and uninstallRevoke the device or app password, uninstall the client and file-manager extension, and back up diagnostics before removing the sync database.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nextcloud Desktop connect to any cloud-drive account?
It connects to a compatible Nextcloud Server through its server address and WebDAV interface. A third-party service must provide that compatible server workflow.
Are virtual files identical on every operating system?
No. File-provider support depends on the client build and operating system; test online-only, offline-retained and release-space behavior on each platform.
What happens when local and remote files are changed together?
The client generally keeps one version and creates a conflict copy for manual comparison. Do not delete either copy based only on timestamps.