Frequently Asked Questions

Glass Desktop Box™ is visual desktop organizer software and a desktop file organizer for real local files. It places project-based workspaces directly on your desktop and adds optional direct file sharing and remote collaboration.

It is designed for people and teams who work with many files: individuals, freelancers, creative professionals, project teams, IT support and organizations that want clearer visual workspaces.

No AI model is embedded in the installed application to scan, classify, rename or move your files. You create and control your workspaces manually. Nox is a separate website support assistant that searches the product information.

Local organization features work without an internet connection. Internet access is required for online activation, updates, browser-based transfers and internet-based collaboration. Enterprise LAN capabilities are planned for controlled internal networks.

The public Knowledge Base and online FAQ are available before and after installation.

A new user chooses between a simple start with one private Organizer Box and one Workspace Box, or a coordinated Desktop Experience. Existing Boxes and contents must never be overwritten silently.

Nox is the shared name for all the animal characters you encounter on the website and in the application. The animals were chosen because animal welfare is a permanent part of the company’s values. Glass Desktop Box is deliberately intended to remain affordable. In the future, 10% of all profits will be distributed to animal-welfare organizations and shelters around the world. Nox gives this commitment to fair pricing, accessible software and animal welfare a visible identity.

Open it directly in the Box by double-clicking it, selecting it and pressing Enter, or choosing Open from the right-click menu. Glass Desktop Box passes the file to Windows, which starts the default application for that file type.

For files, Open is the first action. For folders, Open in File Explorer is the first action. Double-clicking and selecting an item and pressing Enter always perform that same primary action.

No. Local files remain at their original location. Open a connected folder from its Box and then continue working normally in File Explorer, Word, Excel, CAD or another Windows application. New contents created inside a connected folder are retained together with the complete folder.

Only intentional Remote and ProBox workflows use a protected, managed working copy. This copy is no longer physically located on the desktop and must be clearly identified as a working copy. Local Organizer files and connected folders remain at their original location.

Any existing file type for which Windows knows a suitable application can generally be opened. This includes Office, PDF, CAD and 3D, image and layout, audio, video, text, source-code and archive files, as well as folders and shortcuts. Glass Desktop Box does not convert the file.

Windows cannot start a suitable application and may offer an app selection. The file remains unchanged in the Box. Install a compatible program or set a Windows default app for that file type.

Right-click the file and use Open with in the Windows context menu. If that menu is temporarily unavailable, Glass Desktop Box immediately shows its own fallback menu with Open.

Yes. The responsible Windows application opens the file normally. Use Save to update it at its current location. Protected Workspace or ProBox workflows additionally follow their rules for originals, working copies and synchronization.

In Save As, choose Desktop > GDB > [Box] > [Selection Tab or subfolder]. The new file should then appear in that part of the Box. If you save elsewhere, add the file to the Box afterward. When you remove the Box, a file first saved there returns to the Desktop without overwriting another file of the same name.

A local Organizer file keeps its stable original path but is hidden on the Windows desktop while assigned to a Box. This prevents duplicate display as both a desktop icon and a Box item. Open and edit it directly from the Box during that time.

The reliable method is to open the file from Glass Desktop Box, which knows its stable path and passes it directly to the correct application. A third-party File > Open dialog may not show hidden desktop files; an opened file may also appear in that application's recent-files list.

If the same physical file is still assigned to another Box, it remains protected and hidden on the desktop. It becomes visible only after the final valid Box assignment has ended.

Remove it using the intended Box action, clear the relevant Selection Tab or close the Box through its safety dialog. Glass Desktop Box checks the original destination and handles name conflicts or locked locations without silently overwriting a file.

A missing or unreachable path is not treated as success. No other file is overwritten without permission, and relevant file and transaction data remains available for recovery and conflict resolution. Close the locking program, reconnect the drive or use the Recovery Center.

No. Opening a local Organizer file only starts the assigned application. Data is transferred only when you explicitly use a Workspace, Remote or ProBox transfer function.

Yes. Operation is independent of file type. Windows opens each file in its assigned image editor, media player, CAD program or other application.

A separate button would enlarge the interface without adding a function. The familiar Windows methods remain available: double-click, Enter and Open as the first context-menu command. A tooltip explains these controls on each file item.

If the file already appears in its Box but is still shown faintly or semi-transparently on the Windows desktop, File Explorer is probably displaying hidden items. Press Windows key + E, then choose View > Show > Hidden items and remove the check mark. This changes only the display; it does not delete, move or upload the file. OneDrive cloud, check-mark, sync or error icons describe only the file's OneDrive status. Do not manually delete or move the faint desktop item. If it remains visible, refresh the desktop with F5, wait for OneDrive synchronization to finish and restart File Explorer or Windows normally. If it is still shown as a normal, non-transparent icon, contact support with the Windows version, OneDrive status and a screenshot with file names obscured.

In Windows File Explorer, open Desktop > GDB. You will find your Boxes, Selection Tabs and their files there. The same route works in file dialogs in other programs, including email attachment and File > Open dialogs.

Windows or a company policy may prevent pinning in Quick access. Instead, open Desktop > GDB in File Explorer or a file dialog. You can also open the Explorer view from the Glass Desktop Box icon in the Windows notification area.

GDB is the simple File Explorer and file-dialog access point for your Boxes and files. Open Desktop > GDB > [Box] > [Selection Tab or subfolder]. It is not automatically a second copy of every file. Use the Start menu and notification-area icon to launch and control the app.

No. The Explorer structure uses links managed by Glass Desktop Box that point to the existing files. It creates neither additional file copies nor unnecessary storage use.

During an update, Glass Desktop Box removes obsolete access points only when they are clearly identified as program-created. Personal files and unknown shortcuts are not deleted. A full uninstall removes the managed Explorer access and its Quick access entry; the safety and recovery rules for personal files remain unaffected.

Windows 11: Open File Explorer with Windows + E. Go to … > Options > View > Hidden files and folders, select “Don’t show hidden files, folders, or drives,” then Apply and OK. Windows 10: Under View > Show/hide, clear “Hidden items.” This changes only the display, not your files.

Do not manually delete or rename the faint original. Use the intended action in Glass Desktop Box. Normal visibility returns after the final Box assignment ends. If it stays visible, check the assignment and setting, refresh with F5 and wait for OneDrive. Do not force-quit the application. If necessary, restart Explorer or Windows normally. Give support your Windows version, OneDrive status, whether the file opens in the Box, and a screenshot with filenames obscured—not confidential file contents.

Use the Box creation controls in Glass Desktop Box or the tray controls when no Box is visible. Choose the appropriate Box type, give it a clear name and then add the files or folders that belong to that task.

Yes. Rename the Box through its editing controls. The new title changes the visible workspace label; it does not rename the files stored in or connected to that Box.

Drag selected files or folders into the intended Organizer Box or Workspace Box. Glass Desktop Box works with real local files rather than uploading them to a permanent cloud folder. Keep an independent backup of irreplaceable data.

Yes. Open the visual settings for the Box and select a compatible local image. Background, color, transparency and image intensity remain adjustable for each Box, so the content can stay readable.

For normal desktop files, the original file path remains unchanged. Glass Desktop Box hides the desktop icon and shows the file inside the Box. Removing it from the Box or closing the Box makes it visible again.

Files with a clearly known origin return to their original storage location. Only real files whose origin cannot be determined safely appear in File Recovery.

If another file with the same name already exists in the original location, no file is overwritten. The file from the Box is kept safely in the Recovery Center. From there, you can restore it to any location under a new name using “Save As”. If the file cannot currently be moved or secured, it remains safely in the Box.

The original location is no longer unambiguous or another file already occupies it. You therefore choose the storage location and filename yourself.

Each view displays no more than eight recoverable files. Page means only the next view inside the application; it does not refer to a Word or PDF page.

It contains only real, clickable and recoverable user files. Logs, chats, temporary items and technical application files are not shown.

Uninstall can retain license activation, device ID and personal settings for a later reinstall. To start completely fresh, explicitly confirm during uninstall that these personal data should also be removed.

Closing a window can leave the application running in the Windows tray. Use the tray icon to reopen Boxes, create a new Box or exit the application completely.

This is intentional file protection. Before closing, emptying, merging or fully hiding the Box, unlock it with the PIN, a security answer or its individual recovery code.

An individual recovery code is shown once during setup. It can be used to set a new PIN. Without the PIN, a correct security answer or the recovery code, the Box must not be unlocked.

You choose whether to replace the existing layout or add new Boxes. Existing Box names remain unchanged when only the design is refreshed. A reset and rollback mechanism protects the operation.

An older settings window must not overwrite a newly selected preset. If the wrong Box image still appears after switching presets, reopen the current settings, check the selected preset and report the behavior as a defect if it persists; it is not normal operation.

This message must not appear when normally removing a desktop file from a Box in the current version. It indicates an old installation or a regression that should be reported.

Folders containing very many files, such as development projects with build folders, need more processing and can slow the Box. The application therefore shows a warning in advance.

The application preserves a safety margin on the drive. Normal file operations keep between 1 and 10 GB free depending on drive size; interactive remote transfers keep an emergency reserve of at least 256 MB.

Possible causes include missing Windows permissions, group policies, a missing image or another wallpaper application. Use Restore previous desktop background to return to the earlier image.

Several animated Boxes and high-resolution desktop animations consume GPU, memory and energy. On less powerful devices, use fewer animations at once or replace individual Box backgrounds with images.

The included video animations are predominantly supplied at a source resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels (720p); individual animations may use different dimensions. Included static images have asset-specific dimensions. Unless a specific asset is expressly described otherwise, uniform Full HD (1080p), 2K or 4K quality is not promised for all included media.

The supplied source is prepared from up to 120 source frames on a 12-fps basis. During visible playback the current application displays no more than 8 frames per second and scales decoding to the Box or monitor. Website previews are compressed separately. Minimized, collapsed, hidden or closed Boxes pause their animation, so appearance and smoothness can differ by context and hardware.

There is no reliable fixed number of animations that every computer can run smoothly at once. The current application limits visible playback to 8 frames per second and pauses animations in minimized, collapsed, hidden or closed Boxes. Start with one or two visible animated Boxes and add more only while interaction, temperature and fan noise remain acceptable; 10–20 simultaneous animated Boxes must not be treated as an expected performance level.

Yes. The regular website previews, product demonstrations and animated desktop backgrounds are intentionally created without an audio track. This keeps them unobtrusive during everyday work and prevents them from interrupting conversations or other media. Separately identified information videos may include audio and subtitles.

First reset the desktop background that is currently in use. Then select and activate the new 3D animated background. Order: reset the current background → choose a new 3D animation → activate it. Resetting ensures that the previous animated background is stopped completely and replaced correctly.

Open Desktop Experiences for the Box, choose Background Images or 3D Animations, preview the item and apply it. The first activation of a Box image, video or 3D animation sets the Box opacity once to 10% so the medium remains visible. Any opacity you set manually afterwards is retained and is not reset again automatically.

Open Desktop Experiences, choose 3D Animations, inspect the real preview image and select Preview. The preview plays once. Select the animation and then apply it to the current Box or as the desktop background. An applied background runs as a continuous loop.

Open Desktop Experiences for that Box and choose Remove video. The animation stops and the Box returns to its independent color or static background image. Removing a video never removes files from the Box.

Yes. Select a supplied animation and choose Use as desktop background. Stop desktop animation or Restore previous desktop background returns to the previous state. If a static wallpaper is active, the guided action replaces it instead of layering two backgrounds.

A preview intentionally plays once so you can inspect it without an endless background process. Only an animation that you deliberately apply to a Box or desktop runs continuously.

The current library contains 233 supplied animations. You can also choose your own compatible local video for your own Box or desktop, but personal videos remain private and are not part of branded Experience sharing or ProBox animation synchronization.

Use a supported 64-bit Windows system with current graphics drivers, working hardware video decoding and enough free storage. Test multiple monitors and battery operation individually. Reduce or stop motion whenever it affects comfort, battery life or responsiveness.

Installing an update keeps existing Boxes, their contents, the saved layout and the existing licence.

Uninstalling the application does not delete user files. Files managed in Boxes are returned safely to their original locations.

During installation, Setup shows ongoing activity, actual installation progress as a percentage and elapsed time. This makes it clear that installation is continuing; the percentage is based on real installer progress rather than a decorative timer.

Light includes 1 GB, Starter 5 GB and ProBox 25 GB of relay file transfer per month. ProBox Duo includes two independent licences with 25 GB each, not a shared pool. Direct P2P transfers do not consume this allowance; availability depends on connection conditions. Light and Starter share files through a browser; ProBox and ProBox Duo additionally support shared Boxes on each participant’s desktop. All participants need a ProBox licence for that feature. All four plans permit private and commercial use. ProBox and ProBox Duo each offer Standard and XXL variants. Standard includes 25 GB of relay file transfer per month per licence; XXL includes 50 GB. ProBox XXL costs a one-time €99.00 net for one licence; ProBox Duo XXL costs €169.00 net for two independent licences with 50 GB each, not a shared 100 GB pool. These are total XXL prices before tax, not surcharges on Standard. The same twelve months from each licence’s first successful activation, local usage rights and other base-plan terms apply. The selection is shown before purchase. It does not change existing contracts or create an automatic switch or prorated upgrade entitlement.

Peer-to-peer transfer is designed to send data directly between participating devices whenever technically possible instead of first storing the file in a permanent cloud folder.

A compatible relay route may be used to complete the transfer. A relay is a transport fallback, not a permanent user file archive.

For supported browser-based transfers, the recipient uses the HTTPS guest page without installing Glass Desktop Box and without creating a separate account or registering. Shared ProBox workspaces require compatible Glass Desktop Box software and the appropriate access.

A recipient can use the HTTPS guest page for supported browser-based transfers without installing the application. Shared ProBox workspaces require compatible Glass Desktop Box software and the appropriate access.

During an active invitation, a guest can view shared files, download permitted items, upload files or folders to the host, replace permitted files and use the session chat. The exact controls depend on the host's session and permissions.

The product is designed for direct or relayed transfer rather than permanent cloud-file storage. Connection services may establish or relay a session, but they are not presented as a permanent user file archive.

An upload can fail if the session ended, storage reservation is insufficient, the file is locked, a size or plan limit is exceeded, the connection is interrupted or the host is no longer available. The interface should identify the affected item and provide a useful reason instead of only showing a technical code.

A Starter one-click remote session is technically configured for a maximum duration of up to eight hours. This is the intended session limit, not a guarantee that every connection will remain uninterrupted for eight hours. Connection quality, network changes, device settings, browser behavior, power-saving functions or other technical interruptions may end a session earlier. If a remote session is interrupted or has expired, start a new session and create a new invitation link. The previous link cannot be used to resume the disconnected session.

When you create the invitation, Glass Desktop Box copies the prepared invitation text, invitation link and session code to the Windows clipboard. If a mail program is fully configured as the Windows handler for mailto links, a prepared draft can open automatically—for example in Outlook or Thunderbird. Check the recipient and message before sending. With Gmail or another browser-based mail service, open a new message and paste the clipboard contents into the message field with Ctrl+V or the context-menu command “Paste”. If no draft opens, open your preferred mail program or webmail service yourself, create a new message and paste the invitation there. Never add your email password, Windows sign-in details, license key or other access credentials to the invitation.

Remote ProBox™ is the licensed remote collaboration capability for a shared visual workspace. It brings project files, context and communication together without broadcasting the user's entire desktop.

Light includes 1 GB, Starter 5 GB and ProBox 25 GB of relay file transfer per month. ProBox Duo includes two independent licences with 25 GB each, not a shared pool. Direct P2P transfers do not consume this allowance; availability depends on connection conditions. Light and Starter share files through a browser; ProBox and ProBox Duo additionally support shared Boxes on each participant’s desktop. All participants need a ProBox licence for that feature. All four plans permit private and commercial use. ProBox and ProBox Duo each offer Standard and XXL variants. Standard includes 25 GB of relay file transfer per month per licence; XXL includes 50 GB. ProBox XXL costs a one-time €99.00 net for one licence; ProBox Duo XXL costs €169.00 net for two independent licences with 50 GB each, not a shared 100 GB pool. These are total XXL prices before tax, not surcharges on Standard. The same twelve months from each licence’s first successful activation, local usage rights and other base-plan terms apply. The selection is shown before purchase. It does not change existing contracts or create an automatic switch or prorated upgrade entitlement.

Light includes 1 GB, Starter 5 GB and ProBox 25 GB of relay file transfer per month. ProBox Duo includes two independent licences with 25 GB each, not a shared pool. Direct P2P transfers do not consume this allowance; availability depends on connection conditions. Light and Starter share files through a browser; ProBox and ProBox Duo additionally support shared Boxes on each participant’s desktop. All participants need a ProBox licence for that feature. All four plans permit private and commercial use. ProBox and ProBox Duo each offer Standard and XXL variants. Standard includes 25 GB of relay file transfer per month per licence; XXL includes 50 GB. ProBox XXL costs a one-time €99.00 net for one licence; ProBox Duo XXL costs €169.00 net for two independent licences with 50 GB each, not a shared 100 GB pool. These are total XXL prices before tax, not surcharges on Standard. The same twelve months from each licence’s first successful activation, local usage rights and other base-plan terms apply. The selection is shown before purchase. It does not change existing contracts or create an automatic switch or prorated upgrade entitlement.

No. Screen sharing broadcasts a view of another computer. Remote ProBox™ is designed around a shared visual workspace and its permitted project content.

A shared folder may be sufficient when a team only needs common file access. Remote ProBox™ is more appropriate when files need visual project context, workspace structure and live collaboration.

Authorized participants can work in the same active ProBox session. Participant names, file actions, chat and connection events should remain attributable in the session history.

The departing participant disconnects while the host and remaining participants continue. The host must not mark the entire ProBox as disconnected merely because one guest left, and the departure should be visible to the remaining session.

The active ProBox chat is intended for all authorized participants, with messages identified by participant name. Delivery depends on the active session and connection state.

The collaboration workflow is designed to preserve recoverable originals of changed shared files and record relevant actions. This safety mechanism does not replace an independent backup strategy.

No. ProBox as a desktop box currently works only on Windows. Both host and guest need the Windows app and a valid ProBox entitlement. Browser-based sharing is a separate feature and does not replace a ProBox guest.

During initial setup, you can optionally choose a name for file-transfer chat. Chat is active only during a file transfer, not as an always-on messenger. The name stays saved on this device and can be changed at any time through Change username in the tray menu.

Not through a ProBox connection: it connects ProBox participants on Windows only. Instead, use a Workspace Box on the Windows PC, start a normal remote sharing session, and send the browser invitation. The recipient opens it in a supported browser and does not need ProBox on their device. This also applies when you have a ProBox license yourself.

ProBox entitlement also includes Workspace Box. If you do not have one yet, create it separately in the app. Relay usage from transfers through ProBox and Workspace Box is combined against the same license allowance; there is no second allowance. Direct P2P transfers do not count against the relay allowance.

Remote requires a valid license. A firewall, VPN, security software, router or unavailable tunnel can also prevent the connection.

The host must still have the session open. Invitations can expire, be revoked or belong to a session that already ended. The host must then create a new link.

Routers, corporate networks, VPNs or firewalls can block direct P2P connections. The application tries a relay fallback, which can be slower.

A browser or RemoteBox file can be up to 1 GB. Without an active P2P file channel, files over 100 MB are not sent by HTTPS as a fallback. A ProBox file can be up to 5 GB.

The transfer is using a relay service rather than direct P2P. The application warns at 80% and 95%. At 100%, relay fallback is no longer available in the Starter plan.

A ProBox supports no more than five simultaneously connected guests.

For safe shared editing, the guest needs edit approval from the host. This helps prevent several participants from overwriting the same file with conflicting changes.

The received file does not fully match the file that was sent. The transfer is therefore not marked as successful and should be started again.

Public HTTPS fallback supports up to 100 MB per file, direct browser or RemoteBox transfers up to 1 GB, and direct ProBox-to-ProBox P2P transfers up to 5 GB per file.

No. A direct browser, RemoteBox or ProBox transfer within the local network does not consume cloud storage, relay traffic or internet data. Existing hardware, network, licence and electricity costs still apply.

For direct ProBox P2P, the program automatically divides the file into transfer units of no more than 5 GB each. You do not have to split it manually.

Open Transfer volume from the Windows tray menu. It shows the current billing month, measured relay use so far and the monthly allowance. Direct P2P and local-network transfers do not use the relay allowance and are not included. A history or direction-by-direction statistic is not currently provided.

Eight practical video tutorials begin with preparation before installation and cross-platform sharing from a Workspace Box, then cover first steps, ready-made designs, invitation-based file exchange, animated Box backgrounds, PIN protection, the Box menu and preset setup. YouTube is loaded only after you click play.

Learn the essential controls and set up Glass Desktop Box safely after installation.

Start quickly with ready-made desktop designs and preconfigured Boxes.

Create an invitation and exchange selected files directly in just a few steps.

Use animated backgrounds in your Boxes and protect selected Boxes with a local PIN.

Understand the Box main menu and find its essential functions at a glance.

Apply a ready-made preset after installation and adapt it to your own desktop.

Light · Starter: Available now. ProBox · ProBox Duo: Available October 20, 2026. Light includes 1 GB, Starter 5 GB and ProBox 25 GB of relay file transfer per month. ProBox Duo includes two independent licences with 25 GB each, not a shared pool. Direct P2P transfers do not consume this allowance; availability depends on connection conditions. Light and Starter share files through a browser; ProBox and ProBox Duo additionally support shared Boxes on each participant’s desktop. All participants need a ProBox licence for that feature. All four plans permit private and commercial use. ProBox and ProBox Duo each offer Standard and XXL variants. Standard includes 25 GB of relay file transfer per month per licence; XXL includes 50 GB. ProBox XXL costs a one-time €99.00 net for one licence; ProBox Duo XXL costs €169.00 net for two independent licences with 50 GB each, not a shared 100 GB pool. These are total XXL prices before tax, not surcharges on Standard. The same twelve months from each licence’s first successful activation, local usage rights and other base-plan terms apply. The selection is shown before purchase. It does not change existing contracts or create an automatic switch or prorated upgrade entitlement. The one-time purchase includes twelve months of online services starting with each licence’s first successful activation, not purchase. Each ProBox Duo licence starts independently. The first activation is recorded; reactivation does not restart the term. There is no automatic renewal or further charge, and no cancellation is needed to prevent renewal. Continued online use requires a voluntary new purchase with its price and service period shown beforehand.

Feature updates released for the purchased product line are included during the twelve months. This entitlement then ends unless you buy again. Legally required security and conformity updates and statutory remedies remain available for the applicable statutory period. Installing an update does not start a new term.

When Glass Desktop Box starts, it checks whether a newer eligible version is available. If so, the application shows an update notice with the version and available release information.

Yes. You can choose Install update or Later. If you install now, visible progress is shown while the signed package is downloaded and verified. Later keeps the current session running and the update can be offered again.

Smaller bug fixes, security and product improvements as well as more comprehensive releases are published regularly as needed, without a fixed calendar guarantee. A successful update preserves existing Boxes, files, layout and license.