> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.expandrive.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.expandrive.com/how-expandrive-works.md). # How ExpanDrive Works ExpanDrive presents remote storage as a mounted drive. The drive appears in Finder, File Explorer, or the Linux file manager, and desktop applications use ordinary file operations to open, edit, save, move, and remove remote content. ## Mounted Drives and Full Synchronization A mounted drive shows the remote directory structure without first copying the entire account, server, or bucket to the computer. ExpanDrive retrieves file data when an application needs it and uses a local cache for active content. It also maintains a separate directory-listing cache for each connection so ordinary browsing does not require a fresh remote listing for every action. This model makes large remote collections available without requiring enough local disk space for a complete mirror. ExpanDrive is therefore different from a conventional synchronization client. The remote service remains the primary location for online-only content, and the computer downloads the working set rather than every file. The mounted volume is available while ExpanDrive is running and the connection is connected. Disconnecting the connection or exiting ExpanDrive makes that volume unavailable until it is connected again. ### Windows Cache Locations ExpanDrive's file and directory-listing caches are per-user on Windows. On a computer used by several people, each Windows user has their own cache locations under their user profile. | Cache | Default location | | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | | File content | `%LOCALAPPDATA%\ExpanDrive\-\` | | Mounted-drive directory listings | `%LOCALAPPDATA%\ExpanDrive\-\exfs_files.db` | | Built-in file-browser directory listings | `%APPDATA%\ExpanDrive\IndexedDB\` | `` and `` identify the connection type and the individual connection. Each mounted drive's listing database is stored alongside that connection's file cache. The built-in file browser keeps its listings separately in `IndexedDB`, so its listing cache is distinct from the one used by the mounted drive. ## Online File Access When the computer is online, files that have not been selected for Offline Access remain online only. Opening one retrieves its data from the remote service. Changes to online-only items are written to remote storage through the configured provider API or protocol. Network speed, latency, the remote service, and the selected protocol still affect performance. A mounted remote file system does not have the same latency or availability as a local disk. ## Offline Access [Offline Access](/offline-access.md) downloads selected files or folders and keeps them available locally. You can work with that downloaded content while disconnected as long as ExpanDrive remains running. After the computer reconnects, ExpanDrive synchronizes the offline changes to the remote service. Offline Access is selective. Content that has not been downloaded still requires a connection to the remote service. ## Connections and Credentials Each mounted drive is a [connection](/connections.md) to one cloud account, object-storage service, or file server. A computer can have multiple connections at the same time, including multiple accounts from the same provider. ExpanDrive connects directly to the remote service. OAuth providers handle sign-in in their own authorization flow, while server and object-storage connections use the credentials required by their protocol. [Security](/security.md) explains transport encryption and credential storage. Most connection types can use a folder within the remote service as the root of the mounted drive. Connections can also be read-only when users should be able to open and download remote files without uploading, renaming, moving, or deleting them. ## File Browser and Provider Features ExpanDrive also includes a file browser for a connected drive. On a writable connection, the browser can upload, rename, move, and delete items, create folders, and accept files or folders by drag and drop. Some actions depend on capabilities supplied by the remote provider. Where the provider supports shareable links, ExpanDrive can request a link that points directly to the item in that remote service; ExpanDrive does not host the shared file. Where the provider exposes file-version history, ExpanDrive can display the available versions and download a selected version. On Windows, the ExpanDrive right-click menu provides *Copy Link*, *Previous Versions*, and *Offline Sync* where those actions apply. On Windows 11, select *Show more options* to reach that menu. ## Desktop, Team, and Server Operation The desktop application mounts drives for a person working on Windows, macOS, or Linux. [Team Deployment](/expandrive-website/team-deployment.md) distributes shared desktop configurations through the ExpanDrive Website. [Server Edition](/server-edition.md) runs as a system service for unattended Windows Server or Linux workloads.