============
Introduction
============

Available for Windows, Mac OS X, and various Linux distributions, the ownCloud 
Desktop Sync client enables you to:

- Specify one or more directories on your computer that you want to synchronize
  to the ownCloud server.
- Always have the latest files synchronized, wherever they are located.

Your files are always automatically synchronized between your ownCloud server 
and local PC.

.. note:: Because of various technical issues, desktop sync clients older than 
   1.7 will not allowed to connect and sync with the ownCloud 8.1+ server. It 
   is highly recommended to keep your client updated.
   
Improvements and New Features
-----------------------------

The 2.0 release of the ownCloud desktop sync client has many new features and 
improvements. (See the `complete changelog 
<https://owncloud.org/changelog/desktop/>`_.)

  * Multi-account support
  * Many UI improvements
  * Accessibility improvements (high contrast schemes)
  * Automatic bandwidth throttling
  * No redundant directory entries in activity log
  * Remove deleted accounts properly from toolbar
  * File manager integration: show hidden files as ignored
  * Do not sync new big folders from server without user's consent
  * Integrate selective sync into the default UI
  * More reliable reconnect after timeout
  * Improve progress reporting during sync
  * Sharing: Do not allow sharing the root folder
  * Sharing: Show thumbnail
  * Client Updater: Check for updates periodically, not only once per run
  * Quota: Only refresh from server when UI is shown
  * SSL Button: Show more information
  * System proxy: Ask user for credentials if needed
  * Several fixes and performance improvements in the sync engine
  * OS X: Show file name in UI if file has invalid UTF-8 in file name 
  * OS X: Support native finder integration for 10.10 Yosemite  
  * Network: Try to use SSL session tickets/identifiers
  * Windows: Support paths >255 characters
  * Windows, OS X: Allow to not sync hidden files
  * Windows: Remove misleading option to remove sync data
  * Windows: Do not provoke Active Directory account locking if password changes
  * Windows: Fix installer when installing unprivileged

.. note:: When you upgrade from 1.8, restart Windows to ensure that all new 
   features are visible.
   