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Accessing S3 Bucket or Pics.io storage from your PC

Learn how to access your S3 bucket or Pics.io Storage directly from your computer

Written by Denis Limishko

Discover the convenience of accessing your S3 bucket or Pics.io Storage directly from your PC. S3 buckets offer secure storage, but setting them up can be tricky.
With Pics.io Storage, we handle the setup for you, making it effortless to access your files anytime you need them.

We recommend using a desktop tool to upload files to an S3 bucket, ensuring the preservation of directory structure and recovery in case of network interruptions.
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How to access my S3 bucket using Windows?

Download and Install WinSCP.
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Configure the Connection in WinSCP by following the steps below:

  1. Open WinSCP and select "New site" to create a new connection.

  2. In the "New site" dialog, choose the Amazon S3 protocol.

  3. Enter "s3.amazonaws.com" in the "Host" field.

  4. Provide the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key for authentication.

  5. Click on 'Advanced' and navigate to the "Directories" section.

  6. In the "Remote Directory" field, specify the name of your S3 bucket.

  7. Upload Files to the S3 Bucket.

  8. Once the connection is established, you can start uploading files.

Simply drag and drop the desired files or directories into the WinSCP interface.

WinSCP will recursively upload all files and subdirectories to the specified S3 bucket.

How to access my S3 bucket using macOS?

Download and install Cyberduck, a free tool that empowers you to connect to an S3 bucket directly from your desktop.
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After installation, open Cyberduck and proceed with the following steps:

  1. Navigate to the menu bar and select "File," then opt for "New Browser."

  2. Create a new bookmark (connection) for your S3 bucket by clicking the "+" symbol at the bottom left.

  3. From the top window's drop-down menu, choose "Amazon S3."

  4. Input the required information into the designated fields:
    ​Nickname (Optional): Apply any simple name, such as 'Import Bucket.'
    ​Server: Keep it as-is (s3.amazonaws.com).
    ​Access Key ID: Enter the generated Access Key or the one provided.
    ​Secret Access Key: Input the generated Secret Key or the one provided.
    ​Path: Enter the bucket name.

  5. Close the window once all details are filled in.

  6. Locate the new connection in the list and double-click on it.

Now, your S3 bucket folders will be visible, allowing you to drag and drop files from your computer onto this window for uploading.

NB! If you're using your own S3 bucket, the Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, and Path should already be available to you.


If you're using Pics.io internal storage and this sounds like what you need, reach out to support@pics.io — we'll be glad to assist you based on your use case.
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​How do I access my Pics.io storage?

Pics.io storage operates atop the Amazon S3 storage infrastructure. If you opted for Pics.io storage when registering, an Amazon bucket is automatically generated for you.
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The process for accessing your Amazon bucket is the same as for accessing it via Cyberduck.

However, for security and safety measures, direct access (Access Key ID and Secret Access Key) to this Amazon bucket is not provided by default, but we're always open for a discussion and review your case.
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