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Canto Connect Windows


Canto Connect is an application for Windows that allows users to access Canto directly from their desktop.


With the application, you are able to:

  • import extensive folder structures (Canto preserves the imported structure so you don't have to recreate it)
  • import files with embedded additional metadata (copyright information, geo-location data, keywords and more)
  • automatically synchronize local folders from your computer to your Canto library or a workspace 
  • synchronize files from My Collections with your computer for offline access

How to install Canto Connect for Windows

How to install Canto Connect on your Windows computer:

  1. Download Canto Connect (version 2.7.1 from 26 January 2024) HERE (supports Windows 7, 8, 10 and 11).
  2. Unzip the ZIP-file and open setup.exe.


Note: Java (Version 1.8.0_311) will also be installed as it is the minimum version required to run Canto Connect on your windows machine.


In case Canto Connect does not start after the installation, you may try to stop any anti-virus and firewall software running on your machine, and do the installation again.


How to use Canto Connect

  1. Once installed, open the Canto Connect app.
  2. Login using your Canto URL and click Next.
    Note: Single Sign-On login is supported (since version 2.6.5.5).
  3. Enter your Email address and Password. 
  4. Proceed by clicking Login.
  5. The home screen gets displayed.
    Note: The displayed options vary depending on your user role.

  6. Click either
  • Advanced Uploader to upload folders and files to your Canto library, or
  • Auto Sync to set up automatic synchronization of local folders with Canto, or
  • My Collections to get an overview of synchronized files and open the Canto Sync folder.


After closing Canto Connect you will find it in your toolbar, from where you can re-open it by double clicking the icon or close it by right clicking it. 


How to use Duplicate Check in Canto Connect

As an administrator , you can choose to have Canto Connect check during the upload whether the new assets are duplicates of assets which already are in your library.
Note: This does not affect the settings in your main Canto library.


To set up duplicate checking in Canto Connect:

  1. Open the Canto Connect app and click the Settings icon ().
  2. In the Settings tab turn on Duplicate Check by clicking on the slider.
  3. The duplicate check options are displayed.
  4. Select the settings that meet your requirements.

    For more information about each option, see the article Options for Duplicates.


You can upload content to an Upload Link via the Canto Connect app. 


Note: The folder structure is not maintained when uploading your folder(s) using an Upload Link via the Canto Connect app.


Instead of inserting the URL for the main library, all you need to do is enter the upload link.

  1. Open the Canto Connect app.
  2. Insert the Upload Link into the Your Canto Instance Url field.
  3. Click on Next.
  4. Leave the Email and Password fields empty.
  5. Click on Login.

The Canto Connect main screen is displayed. Continue as described above.


How to use Canto Connect for Workspaces

You can also use the Canto Connect app for workspaces to conveniently upload files or entire folders.

  1. Open the Canto Connect app.
  2. Enter the URL of the workspace in the For Your Canto Instance Url field. 
  3. Click Next.
  4. Enter your email address and password
  5. Click Login.

The main Canto Connect screen is displayed. Continue as described above.


Canto Connect - Auto Sync

You can set up automatic synchronization of locally stored content with your Canto library.

  1. Open the Canto Connect app and log in to Canto.
  2. Click Auto Sync.
  3. Once you are in the Folder List window, select the Add Folder button.

    You can add more local folders to the automatic synchronization by repeating this process.
  4. Choose a folder in your local drive that you would like to sync with your Canto library. 
  5. After you have selected the folder, select the sync destination (library or a workspace).
  6. Choose between auto-sync and sync manually.
  7. Select how frequently you would like your content to sync.
  8. When you are done, select Save.


You can then see your assets in your specified location (library or workspace) under the Canto Connect area in your folder and album structure. You can then import the content to any folder/album. 


Note: The files synced from a user's local drive cannot be accessed by other users. However, you can share synced assets from an album via a share link.


Files can then be easily identified by the Canto Connect icon on the thumbnail.


How to use Canto Connect for My Collections 

You can synchronize your collections (or individual albums from your collections) with your computer to have the corresponding files available offline.

  1. Open the Canto Connect app and log in to Canto.
  2. Click the settings icon  ().
  3. Head over to the Settings tab.
  4. Next to Canto Sync Folder, select Change and choose the storage destination on your local drive .
  5. Head to the Status tab.
  6. Ensure My Collections is On, showing orange on the bottom right of the screen.
  7. Open your web browser and log in to your Canto account.
    By default, the sync for My Collections is deactivated.
  8. Click on the desired collection and activate the sync to your Windows device.
    When the synchronization is enabled, the icon is displayed in green ().
  9. Or open an album in My Collections and click the Sync with Canto Connect icon at the bottom left to enable synchronization for the album.

    Once this has been set up, your My Collections will sync to your Mac folder within 24 hours.



Note: Synchronization is done only in one direction, from Canto to your local folder. Changes to files in the local folder are not synchronized to Canto!


How to use the Advanced Uploader

The Advanced Uploader feature allows you to upload files or folders, including subfolders, to your Canto library.

  1. Click the Upload to button and select the folder within your library you would like to upload to.
  2. Click Add another folder and select the folder from your computer which contains the assets you would like to upload.
  3. Once the folder has been added, you can click Upload at the bottom left to begin uploading the assets to Canto.
  4. If you have the metadata pop-up option enabled for /Canto Connect (Settings > Configuration Options > Upload Settings), you will be presented with a screen where you can apply metadata before uploading.
  5. Once you hit Apply, the upload begins.

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