WorkDrive Genie - quick-editing app for desktop

WorkDrive Genie for Windows

The WorkDrive Genie app lets you open and edit your WorkDrive files on the web with your default desktop applications. You can open and edit any files such as documents, images, and videos with Microsoft Word, CorelDRAW, and Adobe Premiere Pro, respectively, in your desktop.

Info
Genie application is not supported for users in the CN (China), CA (Canada), and SA (Saudi Arabia) data centers.
Notes
OS Requirements: Windows 7 and above

Are you a Mac user?
Check out this link to download and install WorkDrive Genie for Mac.

Download and install WorkDrive Genie

  1. Download the WorkDrive Genie app for Windows OS (Download Link).
  2. Double-click the downloaded file to execute the installation.
    A setup window will open.
  3. Click Install.
  4. Once the installation is complete, click Finish.

Open and edit WorkDrive files

Once you install the WorkDrive Genie app in your system, you will have an option to open WorkDrive files with your default desktop apps.
  1. Select a file and click the more actions icon (...) in the top bar. 

  2. Click Open With from the dropdown.

  3. Select the default desktop app shown.

  4. Alternatively, you can also right-click a file and select Open With > Default desktop app.
    For example, if you are selecting an image file, and your default desktop app for images is Photos, you can find the option.
    Open with > Photos (Desktop)

  5. If the file type you are trying to open doesn't have a default app associated with it, you will be prompted to select or download an app that will be able to open it.

  6. Click Accept to grant permission for the WorkDrive Genie app to access the selected file. This is required every time you open any WorkDrive file via this app.
    The file will be downloaded to your system automatically and will be opened in the default app (such as the Photos app for images).

  7. After making your changes, you can save the file and then it will be automatically updated in the web app as the latest version.

    You can use the Save as option to only save the file as a copy in your system.
Notes
Info
  1. If the file type you're trying to open doesn't have a default app associated with it, then you will prompted to select or download an app that will be able to open it.
  2. If you have not installed the WorkDrive Genie app, you will be taken to a screen with a download link of the app. You need to download and install the app to proceed.

Info
Custom domain users may face difficulties opening files through the Genie app in the Ulaa browser. You can resolve this issue by disabling the Network Protection setting in your Ulaa browser preferences.

To turn off your Network Protection setting in Ulaa browser:
  1. Click on the Hamburger icon in the top-right corner of your browser and select Preferences. The Preferences tab will appear.
  2. Select Privacy & Security in the left pane and navigate to the Additional protection field.
  3. Toggle off the Network Protection option, if it is turned on.
  4. Restart your browser.

Change a default app for Genie

If you want to change the default app to open files of a certain format:
  1. Go to your system Settings.
  2. Go to Apps and the select Default Apps.
  3. Search for the file format you are looking to link in an application with and click it.
  4. When prompted to choose an application, select the application of your choice.
Notes
For documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, you will have these two options:
Open with > Zoho Writer/Sheet/Show (Web)
Open with > (Default app) Desktop
For all other file types such as image, video, and audio, you will only have the Open with the default desktop app option.

WorkDrive Genie Menu



Upload on every save
When selected, changes will be uploaded to the web app every time you save a file. When deselected, you will be prompted to save the file as and when you make any changes.

Run app on startup
When selected, this app will start running automatically when your system starts.

Debugging mode
When selected, detailed logs will be recorded. This is helpful for troubleshooting.

View logs
Go to the logs folder to view all the basic file events.

Quit
Close the WorkDrive Genie app. You must quit the app before uninstalling it from your computer.

Uninstall WorkDrive Genie

  1. Click the WorkDrive Genie app icon in the system tray or menu bar. A small screen will open. 
  2. Select Quit.
    You must quit the app before uninstalling it to remove all app info from your computer.

  3. Press the Windows key and type "Control Panel".
  4. Select the Control Panel app from the search results.
  5. Select Programs.
  6. Select Uninstall a program.
  7. Right-click the WorkDrive Genie app and select Uninstall.
  8. Click Yes to confirm.
  9. Click Yes to confirm removing the app and all its features completely.
    An Uninstall Complete screen will open.

  10. Click Finish.
Info
Any WorkDrive file that you open in your system will remain there for 7 days. If the files are not edited for more than 7 days, those files will be removed from the system. Any changes that are not saved or uploaded to the web app will be lost.

Using WorkDrive Genie App on Brave Browser

Due to Brave browser’s enhanced privacy and security controls, the WorkDrive Genie app requires additional configuration to function correctly.

By default, Brave blocks localhost connections, which are necessary for Genie to communicate with your system.

Follow the steps below to enable access:

Before you begin, make sure that:
  1. You are using the Brave browser (latest version recommended)
  2. The WorkDrive Genie app is installed and running on your system
  3. You have permission to modify browser settings

Step 1: Enable Localhost Access in Brave Flags
  1. Copy and paste the following URL into the Brave address bar and press Enter:
    brave://flags/#brave-localhost-access-permission
  2. Locate the highlighted setting Localhost Access Permission.
  3. Change the dropdown value from Default to Enabled.
  4. Click Relaunch to restart the Brave browser.
Step 2: Allow Localhost Access for Zoho WorkDrive
  1. Access Zoho WorkDrive website.
  2. Click the View Site information icon on the left side of the address bar.
  3. Select Site settings.
  4. Locate Localhost Access under Permissions.
  5. Change the setting to Allow. Return to the WorkDrive tab and refresh the page.
Step 3: Approve the Localhost Connection Prompt
  1. Reload the Zoho WorkDrive page.
  2. Wait a few seconds for the page to load.
  3. A notification will appear at the top of the browser requesting:
    “Allow access to localhost resources.”
  4. Click Allow.
Step 4: Grant Permanent Access (Recommended)
  1. To prevent repeating this process every session:
  2. In the permission popup, open the dropdown that says “until I close this site.”
    Select “forever.”
  3. Click Allow.
Notes
Notes:
  1. These steps are required only for Brave browser
  2. Chrome, Edge, and Firefox do not require this configuration
  3. Settings may need to be re-enabled if Brave is reset or reinstalled

If you have any questions or having an issue, please contact WorkDrive support for more details.
WorkDrive support info:
  1. EU region: support@eu.zohoworkdrive.com
  2. All other regions: support@zohoworkdrive.com

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