⚠️ Important: You can only opt in to the GA version of the new Box Drive if you are running version 2.47. Using an earlier version may enable a non-production-ready build. For the latest updates on version 2.47, see the Release News.

The general availability (GA) rollout of the new version will happen in phases. The start of GA will occur with the release of version 2.47. The new version will be enabled by default for Free Users and Enterprise customers using Arm-based devices. Other Enterprise customers can enroll through an opt-in process to gain early access.

For a detailed comparison between the new version and the legacy version, please refer to the following article: https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/43854492838419-New-Box-Drive-for-Windows-Built-on-a-New-Architecture

Starting with version 2.49, the new version will be enabled for all customers by default unless they choose to opt out.

Who should opt-in for the new version of Box Drive?

• Customers who want early access to the General Availability (GA) version of the new Box Drive, built on a new architecture, and do not want to wait for version 2.49—when it will be enabled by default.
• Customers using Box Drive on Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) who have updated their Mount Location configuration (see details below)

Who should opt-out of the new version of Box Drive?

• Customers who want to prevent the new version from being automatically enabled in Box Drive 2.49 can temporarily keep users on the legacy version. However, those users will miss out on the latest updates and features. Note: The legacy version of Box Drive will reach end-of-life in the near future, and customers will be notified in advance.

• Customers using Box Drive on Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) who have not updated their Mount Location configuration for the new version should temporarily opt out. Although Box Drive will try to skip upgrades on VDI environments, we recommend opting out to avoid any issues.

  Once Mount Location configuration is updated(see details below), you can opt in again to receive the new version. Please note that all customers will eventually be moved to the new version, so opting out is only a temporary solution.

Important update for non-persistent VDI environments:

If your setup persists the application directory (%localappdata%\Box\Box), you must also persist the mount location (%userprofile%\Box by default). Box Drive now stores downloaded content in the actual mount location, so both locations need to be preserved.

Admin Guide: Deploying Box Drive new version Opt-In/Opt-Out across devices

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for Box admins to enable or disable the new version of Box Drive across multiple devices by deploying the required registry setting.

To opt users in or out, you need to configure the following registry key on each target machine:

• Registry Path: 
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Box\Box
• Value Name: 
  EnableCloudFiles (DWORD)
• Value Data:
  • 1 = Opt in for the new version
  • 0 = Opt out of the new version

Example: Using Group Policy Object (GPO)

1. Open the Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc) on your domain controller.
2. Create a new GPO or edit an existing one linked to your target OU(s).
3. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry
4. Right-click and select New > Registry Item.
5. Configure as follows:
   • Action: Update
   • Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
   • Key Path: Software\Box\Box
   • Value name: EnableCloudFiles
   • Value type: REG_DWORD
   • Value data:
     • Enter 1 to enable (opt-in), or
     • Enter 0 (opt-out)
6. Click OK and close the editor.
7. Link/apply this GPO to appropriate OUs containing user computers.
8. Run gpupdate /force on client machines or wait for automatic policy refresh.