Get started with Dew

Dew is a self-hosted file-sharing server: your team uploads files and shares download links from a browser, while the files stay on infrastructure you control.

Set up a new server

Follow these guides in order:

1. Install the server on a Linux server, with Docker Desktop on a Mac or Windows computer, or on a Synology NAS.
2. Enter the setup code and create your admin account.
3. Set up a domain and HTTPS, with a free Let’s Encrypt certificate that renews automatically.
4. Set up email, so Dew can send invitations, verification codes and notifications.
5. Invite users by email, by creating accounts, or from a CSV file.
6. Set up the desktop app and get it to your team.

Join an existing server

If your organization already runs Dew, you need your invitation email and the address of its server:

• Share your first link: upload and share from the browser.
• Set up the desktop app: upload from your menu bar or system tray.

What’s next

• SSO: connect Dew to Entra ID, Okta or Google Workspace.
• Link protection: protect a link with a password, an emailed access link, an SMS code, or a one-time download.
• Administration: manage domains and email under Settings, users under People, and the server under System.

Stuck? When something goes wrong on the server, Dew shows a reference such as REF-a3f8b2c1. Quote it when you contact support at support@getdew.io.