Box to Filen Transfer: 3 Reliable Ways to Migrate Your Enterprise Files

Learn how to transfer files from Box to Filen using three proven methods: browser download/upload, desktop sync bridge, or cloud-to-cloud transfer with CloudsLinker. Move your business files to encrypted storage without re-upload hassles.

Introduction

If you're moving from Box to Filen, you're likely prioritizing privacy and zero-knowledge encryption over collaborative features. The challenge is getting your files out of Box and into Filen without losing folder structure or spending days on manual uploads. This guide covers three practical approaches: a browser-based move for smaller datasets, a desktop sync bridge for local control, and a cloud-to-cloud transfer with CloudsLinker for the fastest hands-off migration. Pick the method that matches your data size and technical comfort.

Start Cloud Transfer Compare Methods

Quick tip: If your Box storage exceeds your local disk space or your upload speed is slow, skip to the cloud-to-cloud method to avoid bandwidth bottlenecks.

Box is an enterprise-focused cloud storage platform built for collaboration, compliance, and workflow automation. It's widely used by businesses for secure file sharing, content management, and integration with productivity tools. Box offers granular permissions, audit trails, and third-party app connectors.

Enterprise-grade: built for teams with compliance requirements.
Collaboration tools: comments, task assignments, and workflow automation.
Wide integrations: connects with Slack, Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and more.

What Filen does differently

Filen is built around zero-knowledge encryption. Files are encrypted on your device before upload, and the service cannot access your content. Filen focuses on privacy-first storage rather than enterprise collaboration.

Zero-knowledge design: Filen cannot read your files.
Client-side encryption: data is encrypted before it leaves your device.
Cross-platform apps: web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), and mobile.

Pick a Method in 30 Seconds

Fastest setup

Browser Transfer

Best for small folders or quick one-time transfers.

Most control

Desktop Sync Bridge

Great for local verification and pause/resume capability.

Hands-off

Cloud-to-Cloud

Ideal for large libraries or limited local bandwidth.

Method 1: Download from Box, Upload to Filen (Browser)

Best for: small folders, one-time transfers, and minimal setup.
Trade-off: your internet connection handles the full download + upload cycle.

Step 1: Download files from Box

Log in to your Box account, navigate to the folder you want to migrate, and select the files or folders. Click the download button in the toolbar. Box will package folders into a ZIP archive.

For large folders, consider downloading in batches to avoid timeout issues and make it easier to resume if something fails.

Step 2: Extract and verify locally

After the download completes, extract the ZIP file to a clean folder. Check that the folder structure looks correct and rename any directories if needed before uploading to Filen.

Step 3: Upload to Filen

Open the Filen web app, navigate to your destination folder (or create one), and drag-and-drop the extracted files. Keep the browser tab open until the upload finishes.

Need a faster option? Use cloud-to-cloud Open Filen

Method 2: Desktop Sync Bridge (Box Drive + Filen Desktop)

Best for: larger migrations when you want visibility and local verification.
Trade-off: requires local disk space and time for both sync operations.

This method uses Box Drive to sync files locally, then Filen's desktop client to upload them. It gives you full control and the ability to verify files before they reach Filen.

Create a dedicated local folder (e.g., "Box-to-Filen") as a clean workspace for the transfer.
Install Box Drive and configure it to sync only the folders you want to migrate.
Wait for Box Drive to finish downloading. Verify the local folder size and file count match what you expect.
Install Filen Desktop and set up a sync task pointing to your local folder.
Let Filen upload the files. Once complete, you can disconnect Box Drive to free up space.

When this method works well

You want to verify files locally before they reach Filen.
You need pause/resume capability for large transfers.
You want to reorganize folder structure mid-migration.

Common mistakes to avoid

Syncing too many folders and running out of disk space.
Pointing Filen to Box Drive's cache instead of actual files.
Renaming folders while sync is still in progress.

Tip: Start with a small test folder to validate file naming and folder structure before running the full migration.

Method 3: Cloud-to-Cloud Transfer with CloudsLinker

Best for: large transfers, limited local bandwidth, and hands-off migration.
Trade-off: requires authorizing a third-party transfer service.

A cloud-to-cloud tool like CloudsLinker connects Box and Filen directly, moving files between servers without downloading to your computer. This is the fastest option for large migrations or when your upload speed is limited.

How it works

Connect your Box account as the source.
Connect your Filen account as the destination.
Select folders to transfer and start the job.

Why people choose this

No local download/upload cycle.
Transfers run even when your computer is off.
Handles large, multi-folder migrations efficiently.

Step-by-step setup

Open CloudsLinker and create a new transfer task. Select Box as the source.
Authenticate your Box account through the OAuth flow. Grant access only to the folders you need.
Add Filen as the destination. Enter your Filen credentials (enable 2FA in Filen first for security).
Select source folders in Box and choose the target folder in Filen.
Configure transfer options: "skip existing files" is recommended for first-time migrations.
Start the transfer and monitor progress from the task dashboard.

Recommended settings

Use "skip existing" to avoid duplicates.
Enable file verification if available.
Keep transfer concurrency moderate to avoid throttling.

After the transfer

Spot-check folders in Filen to confirm file counts.
Review any error logs and retry failed items.
Save the task for future incremental syncs.

Start Cloud Transfer Create a Filen Account

Box vs Filen at a glance

Category	Box	Filen
Security model	Server-side encryption with enterprise compliance features.	Zero-knowledge, client-side encryption.
Primary focus	Enterprise collaboration, workflow automation, compliance.	Privacy-first encrypted storage and backups.
Client apps	Web, desktop (Box Drive), mobile.	Web, desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux), mobile.
Best-fit use case	Teams needing compliance, audit trails, and integrations.	Individuals or teams prioritizing privacy and data ownership.

Before You Start: Quick Prep Checklist

Enable two-factor authentication in Filen before connecting to any transfer tools.
Review your Box folder structure and decide how you want it organized in Filen.
Check for shared folders in Box — you may need to download shared content separately.
Run a test transfer with a small folder to confirm file naming and structure.
If using the desktop sync bridge, ensure you have enough local disk space.
Consider cleaning up old or duplicate files in Box before migration to save time.

FAQ

Files from shared folders can be transferred, but sharing permissions won't carry over. You'll need to set up new sharing in Filen after the migration.

Yes, when using reputable services. Review the provider's security documentation and grant minimal permissions. Files are encrypted by Filen upon arrival.

Most transfer methods only move the current version of each file. If you need version history, export versions manually from Box before migrating.

Yes, the same methods apply. For very large enterprise accounts, the cloud-to-cloud method is usually the most practical since it handles large volumes without local bandwidth limits.

Step-by-Step Video Transfer Files from Box to Filen

If you prefer learning by watching this video walks you through the complete process of transferring files from Box to Filen It shows how to connect both cloud accounts choose source folders adjust transfer options when needed and finish the migration without downloading files to your local device This method is efficient stable and works well for both personal file collections and larger data libraries

Conclusion

The right Box to Filen transfer method depends on how much data you have and how hands-on you want to be. For a few project folders, browser downloads work fine. For larger migrations where you want local verification, the desktop sync bridge gives you control. And for enterprise-scale moves or limited bandwidth situations, CloudsLinker handles the transfer entirely in the cloud. Start with a test folder, confirm the structure looks right in Filen, then scale up.

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