You can connect to your ownCloud server using any web browser. To access the ownCloud server using a web browser, specify the uniform resource link (URL) address of the server in the browser navigation bar. This can be the URL address of your personal ownCloud setup or a URL address that you have received from your company or your service provider.

Accessing the ownCloud Web Interface

The ownCloud login window opens.

ownCloud login window

2. Enter your valid username and password.
   The username and password combination can be those that you set up yourself when creating your ownCloud server setup or those provided by your company or your service provider.
   If you have set up the server yourself or are administering the server, you can add additional users by configuring a user backend (for example, LDAP).
3. Click the Log in button.
   The ownCloud main interface opens.
   

   ownCloud main user interface

Navigating the Main User Interface

• Apps Selection Menu: Located in the upper left corner of the user interface, this bar contains apps that are configured on the ownCloud server. The icons in this bar enable you to launch the different apps available and navigate between them within the ownCloud user interface.

• Apps Information field: Located in the left side bar, this field provides filters and tasks associated with the chosen app. For example, using the Files app, you can use the filters in the apps information field to view only files that have been shared with you, files that you have shared with others, files that you have shared through the use of a link, or an option to delete files. Other app-specific information fields might provide tasks for creating new documents or modifying calendar entries.
• Application View: The main, central field in the ownCloud user interface. This field displays the contents or user features of the app selected in the Navigation Bar. By default, this field shows the files and directory (“Files” view) of your user account.
• Navigation Bar: Located over the main viewing window (the Application View), this bar provides a type of breadcrumbs navigation that enables you to migrate to higher levels of the folder hierarchy up to the root level (home) of your ownCloud instance.
• New button: Located in the Navigation Bar, the New button enables you to create new files, new folders, or upload existing files from a specified link.

• Upload button: Located next to the New button in the Navigation Bar, the Upload button enables you to upload files from your system to the ownCloud server. Clicking this button launches a file picker (e.g. Windows Explorer or Mac OS X Finder) window with which you can choose files for uploading.
• Search field: Residing in the upper right hand corner of the Main User Interface window, the Search field enables you to search for files and folders stored in ownCloud. The ownCloud search function provides a full text search. However, for searching to function, administrators must enable the app in the search app settings.
• Personal Settings menu: Located to the right of the Search field, the Personal Settings dropdown menu provides access to your personal settings page and the ability to log out of your ownCloud user session. The personal settings page provides access to the following:
  • Activity notifications
  • Server usage and space availability
  • Password management
  • Name, email, and profile picture settings
  • Interface language settings
  • WebDAV URL for receiving files using WebDAV (see next chapter).
  • Mozilla Sync information for creating a synchronization to a Mozilla (Firefox) account.
  • ownCloud Version information
  You can see Setting Your Preferences section to learn more about those settings.