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. AI tools assisted parts of product development, while Nox is a separate website support assistant that searches prepared 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.

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.

Usa the Knowledge Base for detailed guides, ask Nox a question in English or email support@glassdesktopbox.com. Nox searches prepared product information and points to relevant public guides.

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, with personal access costing approximately ten euros per year or the corresponding amount in US dollars. 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.

Save As usually creates a new file at the location you choose. That new file is not automatically assigned to the previous Box. Drag it into the desired Box if it should appear there as well.

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.

Yes. Boxes that were not explicitly closed or hidden should be restored after the application starts. They remain visible in their saved expanded or minimized state unless the user deliberately closes them, hides them through the tray controls or ends the application.

Minimizing changes only the Box display. Its organization, files and saved state remain available and the Box can be expanded again.

Closing a Box is a deliberate removal of that Box organization, not a normal minimize action. The application must show a prominent confirmation and explain how the underlying files are handled before completing the close operation.

Yes. Glass Desktop Box continues through its tray icon unless the application was explicitly ended. Opening the desktop shortcut or application again also provides access to the Box creation controls.

The tray icon is the persistent control point for showing Boxes, creating new Boxes and ending the application. Closing the last visible Box must not silently remove access to the running application.

Boxes of the same family are minimized first so they do not overlap chaotically. The new Organizer Box or new Workspace/ProBox opens centrally, while the other Box family remains independent.

It is a safety export used only when files or Box content cannot be returned to their expected location during uninstall. It should not appear when there is nothing to recover, and its plain-language read-me explains any preserved items.

The application could not automatically return one or more items to their former source path, for example because the source no longer exists or a file is locked. The source data is preserved instead of being discarded, and the recovery information identifies the affected item.

Glass Desktop Box currently contains 16 complete one-click presets, 30 curated image collections with 414 backgrounds, and 201 silent motion backgrounds. These are three distinct content groups, not one combined count.

Each preset combines a coordinated wallpaper, three Organizer Boxes, three Workspace Boxes, individual box images, colors, transparency and image-intensity settings. It is a starting configuration, not a fixed screenshot.

The application asks before making changes. Existing boxes and their contents can be retained and restyled, or the preset boxes can be added. Existing files are not replaced by applying a visual preset.

Yes. Wallpaper, box background, color, alpha transparency, image intensity, size and arrangement remain independently adjustable for every box.

No. A Desktop Experience is primarily a local visual configuration. Remote Desktop Box and ProBox share the selected workspace and files; they do not silently overwrite another participant’s personal desktop design.

Installed presets, images and animations work locally without a permanent internet connection. Static images use fewer resources; video impact depends on resolution, codec and hardware, and playback can be disabled at any time.

Existing boxes can be preserved when a preset is applied, and the previous wallpaper can be restored. Boxes can be positioned across supported monitors; exact wallpaper behavior follows the operating system and the installed Glass Desktop Box version.

You can personalize every supplied preset by changing Boxes, positions, colors, transparency, images, videos and the desktop background. These changes form your personal desktop setup. The current website does not document a separate command for publishing or sharing that setup as a reusable custom preset, so this is not presented as an available feature.

The Windows minimum is Windows 11 64-bit, a four-core processor at 2.0 GHz or faster, 8 GB of RAM, DirectX 12-compatible graphics with a current driver, a 1280 × 720 display and at least 5 GB free on the Windows system drive. An HDD is technically supported. We recommend an up-to-date Windows 11 installation, an 8th-generation Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5 or equivalent, 16 GB of RAM, Intel UHD 630 or better, Full HD or higher, an SSD and at least 10 GB kept free. Local Boxes work offline; activation, HTTPS, ProBox and updates require internet access.

3D animations require at least 8 GB of RAM, four CPU cores at 2.0 GHz, DirectX 12-compatible graphics, a current graphics driver and 5 GB free on the system drive; an SSD is recommended. For several animated Boxes, two or more monitors or resolutions above Full HD, we recommend 16 GB of RAM and a modern integrated or dedicated GPU.

At least 5 GB must be free on the Windows system drive before installation or an update; keeping at least 10 GB free is recommended. This covers about 1.1 GB of installed program data plus included animations and images, high-resolution caches, safe updates, temporary transfers and recovery files. Depending on the scene, resolution and monitor count, an animated desktop typically uses another 20–75 MB of cache per animation and monitor; using many animations can accumulate several hundred MB.

The application protects the Windows system drive from becoming completely full. If free space is insufficient, file transfers, animation generation or other storage-intensive operations may stop for safety. Never let free space fall below 2 GB; keep at least 10 GB free for reliable updates, animations and recovery.

Yes. The stated 5 or 10 GB covers only the application, animations, updates and caches. File transfers, ProBox working copies and recovery require additional space for user files. As a safe guide, keep at least twice the size of the largest file being processed or transferred at once; a 10 GB file therefore calls for at least 20 GB of additional free space.

Yes. The application has been tested on Intel UHD Graphics 630 with 8 GB of RAM and an Intel Core i5-8500, including multiple animated Boxes. For multiple monitors, 4K or many simultaneously visible animations, we recommend 16 GB of RAM and a more capable modern GPU.

No, not reliably for animated Boxes or an animated desktop. The minimum is 8 GB of RAM. Static Boxes may start on lower-specification devices, but reliable operation is not assured there.

Local Desktop Boxes and local file organisation generally remain usable without a server connection. Online functions such as activation, HTTPS transfer, invitations, signalling and TURN/relay depend on internet access, networks and third-party technical services. Server infrastructure is currently provided in part by Hetzner Online GmbH. Exceptional demand, maintenance, security measures, DDoS attacks or failures at a network or infrastructure operator may temporarily delay, queue, rate-limit, interrupt or reject connections. Glass Desktop Box takes reasonable technical measures, but without a separate SLA it does not guarantee uninterrupted availability or a successful direct P2P connection. For outages caused exclusively by third parties and not attributable to the provider, liability applies only to the extent required by law; mandatory consumer, warranty and liability rights remain fully unaffected.

Firewalls, VPNs, proxies, NAT rules, DNS or content filters, endpoint protection and corporate network policies may restrict or completely block HTTPS, P2P or ProBox connections. Glass Desktop Box does not bypass these local security rules. On a managed network, contact the responsible system or network administrator. Do not disable or weaken protective measures yourself; changes should be made only by authorised personnel following a security review. A block caused exclusively by the customer-controlled system or network configuration is outside the provider’s responsibility and does not by itself constitute a product defect. If, however, the disruption results from a breach attributable to the provider, your mandatory statutory rights remain unaffected.

No. Glass Desktop Box is a desktop-only application and runs solely on the desktop operating systems expressly supported. The website, including FAQs, tutorials and support, is accessible on smartphones and tablets, but this does not provide mobile app functionality. The application cannot be installed or run on Android, iOS or iPadOS. The published system requirements apply.

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.

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

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.

For supplied animations, the ProBox synchronizes the animation ID, speed and loop state. Each compatible licensed installation plays its matching local asset, so the large video file does not need to be retransmitted.

No. A private user video remains local to its owner. Guests receive a clear static fallback, and the host is informed that personal videos are not streamed or synchronized.

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.

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.

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.

$9.99 net. Final price including applicable state and local sales tax is shown at checkout. Prices, currency and taxes are determined from the billing location. The final total displayed by Paddle before purchase is binding.

Starter Plus: $29.99 net. Final price including applicable state and local sales tax is shown at checkout. Prices, currency and taxes are determined from the billing location. The final total displayed by Paddle before purchase is binding.

ProBox: $59.99 net. Final price including applicable state and local sales tax is shown at checkout. ProBox Duo: $99.99 net. Final price including applicable state and local sales tax is shown at checkout. Prices, currency and taxes are determined from the billing location. The final total displayed by Paddle before purchase is binding.

Enterprise packages are in preparation and scheduled for October 1, 2026. Until release, Enterprise descriptions are advance information rather than an immediately available purchase. All Enterprise plans available October 1, 2026. Currently in preparation.

Yes. Bug fixes, security updates and product updates are included. Updating does not require a new license activation each time, and local user data is stored separately from the program files.

The planned checkout uses Paddle as merchant of record. The checkout must show the applicable price, taxes, renewal or term information and legally required cancellation or withdrawal information before purchase.

Choose Starter for light personal use, Starter Plus for greater individual transfer volume, ProBox for professional collaboration, ProBox Duo for two licensed collaborators, or Enterprise after release for centrally managed company deployment.

The initial term is twelve months and is paid in advance. Consumers may cancel during the initial term with effect at its end, subject to a notice period of no more than one month. If the subscription is not cancelled, it continues for consumers for an indefinite period and is billed monthly. It can then be cancelled at any time with no more than one month’s notice; no new fixed twelve-month commitment is created. The gross monthly prices from month 13 are Starter €0.99, Starter Plus €2.97, ProBox €5.95 and ProBox Duo €9.92. Different renewal terms may apply to businesses where expressly agreed.

When the subscription ends after cancellation, the installed application, your local Desktop Boxes, their arrangement and your local files remain on the computer activated for the license. Nothing is automatically deleted, moved, encrypted or locked. Local Box organization can continue to be used on that computer. Only the server-side entitlement to subscribed services ends. Remote file transfers, ProBox connections, plan-based transfer allowances, new feature and product updates, and regular voluntary technical product support are then no longer available. Mandatory statutory rights, including defect remedies, security updates and consumer rights, remain unaffected.

No. Glass Desktop Box has no hidden remote access to your computer, either during the subscription or after it ends. Your local files, Boxes and settings remain on your device. Ending the subscription only disables the server-side entitlement for remote services, file transfers and other subscribed services.

Your local files remain in normal folders on your computer. Creating, minimizing or closing a visual Box does not turn those files into cloud documents.

Yes. PIN protection can restrict access to compatible workspaces. It complements, but does not replace, operating-system accounts, device encryption, antivirus protection and organizational security controls.

Glass Desktop Box™ uses recovery-first handling and transaction records intended to reduce the risk of files silently disappearing. Unfinished operations are checked after restart and source data is preserved when automatic recovery cannot complete.

The product is not designed to sell user files or use their contents for advertising. The privacy notice describes which account, licensing, support, transfer and website data may be processed.

No. User-supplied images and videos never receive automatic Glass Desktop Box branding. Only approved supplied Experience media can use the branded Experience-sharing flow.

Windows is available now. Native macOS and Linux versions are in preparation and scheduled for October 1, 2026. They must not be presented as already available before release.

Use a currently supported 64-bit Windows version, current system and graphics updates, sufficient free storage, normal write access to the user data folders and working hardware video decoding for animated backgrounds.

Usa the Knowledge Base, ask Nox in English or contact support@glassdesktopbox.com. Include what you tried, what happened, the affected file or feature and any message shown.