Nextcloud is for people and small teams who already run a Nextcloud server or have an account with a Nextcloud provider and want their PC files to stay in sync. It is a desktop client, not a ready-made cloud storage account, so the server or provider must be arranged separately.
Its central feature is two-way synchronization: changes made in a synced folder on the computer are sent to the server, while changes on the server are brought back to the computer. This lets users work with local files while keeping the corresponding server copy updated.
Choose how files appear on the PC
On Windows, virtual files display the files stored on the server in File Explorer without downloading all of them in advance. A file is downloaded when it is opened, which can help avoid keeping every remote file on the computer. For folders that need to be available locally, selective sync lets users choose which server folders to keep on the PC.
These approaches can be chosen for each folder during setup. After installing the MSI, sign in using the server address; the client opens a browser window for authentication. Decide early whether each folder should use virtual files or full synchronization, and exclude very large folders that are not needed on this computer.
Sharing and account management
Nextcloud also adds sharing actions to Explorer. From a file or folder’s right-click menu, users can create a share link without first switching to a separate file-management workflow. The client can connect to several Nextcloud servers, allowing multiple accounts to be managed from the same desktop application.
Before setting it up, users need access to a Nextcloud server, whether it runs on their own hardware or is provided by a hosting service. The Nextcloud client does not supply storage by itself, and synchronization speed and reliability depend in part on how well that server is maintained.
Platform and license details
The Windows client supports Windows 10 (1809 or later) 64-bit and Windows 11. The program is also available for macOS and Linux. Nextcloud is open source under the GNU GPL v2, and both the desktop client and server software are free; hosting providers and enterprise support may charge for their services.
This setup suits users who want control over where their files are stored or who already rely on a Nextcloud provider. It is less suitable for someone seeking cloud storage that is ready to use without first choosing a server or provider. The practical benefit is the combination of local folder syncing, on-demand access through Explorer, selective folder control, and sharing tools, while storage and server administration remain outside the desktop client itself.
