Getting Started Using WebFiles via a Web Browser
Using online file management is easy. If you have an Internet connection and a compatible web browser, you are never more than a few steps away from storing and managing your files. The following tutorials provide a brief introduction to the WebFiles web browser interface. For a more detailed explanation of WebFiles' functionality, please see our Online Manual.
- Web Browser and Operating System Requirements
- Creating Your Account
- Logging In and Out
- Uploading Files
- Downloading Files
- Share Files with Anyone (even with non-WebFiles users)
- Move, Copy, Rename or Delete Files and Folders
- Quota Information
- Empty Your Trash
- Preferences
If you have further questions, please contact us at webfiles@berkeley.edu.
Web Browser and Operating System Requirements
| Browser | Windows 2000/XP | Mac OS X | Unix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netscape | version 4.75 | version 4.75 | version 4.75 |
| MS Internet Explorer | version 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 (note that version 4.0 is NOT supported) | version 5.2 | n/a |
| Netscape (Gecko engine) | version 7.0 | version 7.0 | version 7.0 |
| Safari (Mac OSX) | n/a | version 1.0 | n/a |
| Mozilla (Mozilla Firebird is not supported, as it is still a beta product). |
version 1.4 or higher | version 1.4 or higher | version 1.4 or higher |
| Firefox | version 0.9.2 | version 0.9.2 | version 0.9.2 |
Creating Your Account
If you are using WebFiles for the first time you need to create a WebFiles account first. Those of you who used our previous storage service, WebDisk, will automatically be able to use your old username and do not need to create a username on WebFiles.
WebFiles Usernames
Your WebFiles username is not the same as your CalNet ID. Your WebFiles username is used to identify yourself to others when you share files or create a web site. For more information about the difference between your WebFiles username and yourt CalNet ID, see our FAQ.
Choose a username that is a unique and friendly common name, 3-40 characters (we highly recommend a username between 6-12 characters long), and is normally used in your website URL (i.e http://webfiles.berkeley.edu/~username). Many users use their CalMail login name, for example, as their selected WebFiles username. Your username should not be your CalNet ID.
Logging In and Out of WebFiles
Logging In
When you arrive at the WebFiles login page (https://webfiles.berkeley.edu), you will see a login box on the left-hand side of the page. Enter your CalNet ID and passphrase to log in to WebFiles. If you do not know what your CalNet ID and passphrase are, or have not set yours up yet, you will not be able to access WebFiles. For more information about CalNet, including how to set up your account and where to change your passphrase, please see the CalNet website (https://calnet.berkeley.edu/).
Logging Out
To log out of WebFiles, click the Logout link
in the upper left-hand corner of the browser window.
Uploading Files to Your Account
- After you have logged in to WebFiles, click the Upload button
. This will display the Upload Files page. - Choose to upload 1-10, 15 or 20 files from the drop-down menu next to the words "Change the number of files to upload".
- Click the first Browse button. This will display the Choose File window. In the Choose File window, locate and select the file you want to upload. Click the Open button. The file you have chosen now appears next to the Browse button on the Upload Files page.
- Start uploading your file(s) by clicking the OK button on the bottom of the Upload Files screen.
- If you would like to transfer entire folders of files at once, look for the tutorial "How to Drag & Drop Files (using WebDAV) on our Advanced Topics page.
Downloading Files from Your Account
- After you have logged in to WebFiles, you can download a file by clicking on its name. This will display the File Download window.
- Choose whether you would like to Open the file from its current location or Save the file to your disk.
- If you would like to transfer entire folders of files at once, look for the tutorial "How to Drag & Drop Files (using WebDAV) on our Advanced Topics page.
Share Files with Anyone (even with non-WebFiles users)
Sharing files and folders can be accomplished several different ways. We recommend the method outlined below because it works for both files and folders. Also, these instructions apply to sharing with anyone, including non-WebFiles users.
- After you have logged in to WebFiles, you can share a file by clicking the Info button
next to the file you wish to share. This will open the File Management page. - Click the Tickets link. This will open the ticket information page.
- Click the Create Ticket button
, then click OK. - A "Ticket" (a web address) will be granted to you. Copy and paste this web address into an email and send it to whomever you wish to share the file with.
Move, Copy, Rename or Delete Files and Folders
After you log in to WebFiles, click the checkbox next to the file or folder you wish to move, copy, rename or delete. Then click the toolbar button that corresponds with the action you wish to take, and follow the instructions provided to complete the task.
Quota Information
After you log in to WebFiles, look to the lower-right side of the File Management window to find out the total size of your account, including the space you've used and the space you still have available to you.
Empty Your Trash
Your trash folder will magically appear the first time you delete something from your account. Don't think your file is gone simply because you've deleted it! If you change your mind, you can always open your trash folder and move the file back to its original location.
Remember the files in your trash count toward your total quota usage. If you are nearing your quota, take a look at your trash and try deleting some files. Be careful though - once your files are deleted from your Trash they are gone!
Preferences
Log in to WebFiles and look for the link to Preferences
in the lower-left corner of the browser window. Your Preferences page allows you to change your Time Zone and date format. This page will also show you the email address we have on record for you from the CalNet Database. If you need to update your email address, please do so in the UC Berkeley Online Directory.
