Finding you FileRunner package
Recipients added to a package will receive an email notification with a download link once the package is ready for download.
If the recipient is an unverified user, the download package link will open in a new tab for easy downloading. If for some reason the recipient did not receive the email, the sender can forward the unique link to the recipient. For more information on forwarding links to unverified users, please click here.
If the recipient is a verified user, the download package link will open to the login page, prompting the user to login in order to access the package. Upon login, the user will be taken to their Inbox where they can select which package they would like to download.
Downloading files
Users can choose to download the entire package by clicking on the 'Download All' button located on the top right of the page or download individual files within the package by clicking on the blue download icon located to the right of the respective file.
Unlocking PIN verified packages
If the package has been secured with PIN verification, a lock icon will appear over the package name. Clicking on the lock will generate a 6-digit code sent to the recipient's mobile phone via SMS text. A popup will appear promoting the recipient to enter the code in order to unlock the package.
Optimised Download
FileRunner now features optimised downloading for all packages downloaded through Chrome and Chromium-based browsers, e.g. Edge. Optimised downloading accelerates the download process and unpacks the package in flight, preserving the file structure for immediate access.
For your first optimised download, you’ll be prompted to choose a folder for your packages to be downloaded to. Please choose any non-systems folder or create a new folder for these downloads. You can choose to use this folder for all downloads or if left unchecked, you’ll be prompted to choose a folder for your next download.
Example of System folders include - downloads, documents and desktop
An advanced download dropdown on the Download All button gives you the option to select a different download folder or to download the package as a single .tar file.
Your downloads are now managed in the Downloads queue of the transfer drawer.
If a package fails to download for any reason, you can manage it from the transfer drawer. Here you will have the option to retry the download again as an optimised download or try a standard download which will tar the package. You can also try downloading to a new folder if there is an issue with the current folder you are downloading to, or cancel the download completely.
Managing tar files with Standard Download
If you use Safari or Firefox, FileRunner downloads files via the browser and the default download folder. After the package has completed downloading, you may notice it's in a .tar file format. What are tar files and how are they used in FileRunner?
A tar (tape archive) file format is an archive created by tar, a UNIX-based utility used to package files together for backup or distribution purposes. It contains multiple files (also known as a tarball) stored in an uncompressed format along with metadata about the archive. Tar files are not compressed archive files.
When sending more than one file in a package, the files will be grouped together as a single .tar file. Tar files are similar to zipped files in that they need to be unpacked after download, ensuring we are able to keep the integrity of your directory structure in the transfer process. Depending on the size of your package the untarring process may take some time after download to unpack before the files are fully available.
Package access period
Each package includes the access period listed to the right of the package name. The access period is determined by the sender on a per-package basis. By default this access period is 10 days but the sender can choose to lengthen or shorten this time period.
When a package is selected, it will include the exact date and time it will expire. Once a package has expired, it will appear grayed out and no longer accessible to download. Clicking on an expired package will show information such as the list of files in the package, but all downloading icons will be disabled.