Access FDS and Create a Delivery

Use TU's File Delivery Service (FDS) to securely share files too large to send as attachments through conventional delivery services such as email. Faculty, staff and students can send files to people both inside and outside the TU network. Files in FDS may be retrieved for 15 days. 

Access the file delivery service

1. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to https://fds.towson.edu. Or select the link in your email if you are a receiver.
2. The User Sign In page will appear. If you are a TU student, faculty, or staff, log in using your Email (NetID) and Password.
   Note:
   - External users can register for an account only after they have been sent an invitation. They will access FDS via the link received in the invitation email message.
   - External users will have access to send messages only to @towson.edu and @students.towson.edu accounts after registering.
   - External users who have already registered may log in using the Email and Password combination previously established.
3. Select Login.
4. The File Delivery Service Home Page will appear with the Compose link open. From here, you can send large files and private messages. Select the Secure Messages drop-down menu to view your Inbox and Sent messages.

Create a delivery

As a sender, you may create deliveries to send files to a recipient.

1. Under Message, enter the recipient's TU or external email address in the To box.
2. If desired, select add cc or add bcc and enter applicable email addresses.
3. Fill in the Subject line.
4. Enter your text in the Message box.
5. You may add files to the package in two ways:
   Note: The maximum size Limit per message is 10 GB.
   1. Drag and drop your files to the Drop Files Here box on the right-hand side of the window.
   2. Select the Add Files button. The Open dialog box will appear. Navigate to the correct drive and directory. Select the file(s) you wish to add (you may select several files at one time) and select the Open button at the bottom right of the dialog box.
6. Additional options will appear in a gray box at the bottom of the screen.
   Note: Notice the Private Message option is automatically checked. Any message typed in the Message box can only be viewed by specified recipients.
7. To make the delivery more secure, set the number of times a recipient can download each file. For example, if you send two files that expire after one download, each recipient can download each file once. Enter a number in the Message Expires After field to specify the number of downloads.
   Note: The date under Message Expires is preselected. The delivery package will automatically delete fifteen days after its original creation.
8. When you have made all your selections, select the Send button.
9. A message will appear; your message has been sent, with other information such as message ID, subject, etc.
   Note: You will receive an email notification when the recipient has opened the files and downloaded the file you sent.
10. Select the Gear icon in the upper-right corner and then click Logout if you have completed transactions in the file delivery system.

Request a file

A File Request is a way to request a file from someone. When you've submitted their details, they will get an email with a unique link that can be used to send the requested files to you. This link will expire after two weeks.

1. Select Request File from the home page.
2. Select New File Request.
3. The Request File form will appear. Enter the recipient's TU or external email address in the To box.
4. Fill in the Subject line.
5. Enter your text in the Message box.
6. Place a checkmark in the Send a copy to myself checkbox if you would like a copy of the request. You may also specify the request expiration date.
7. Select the Request File button.
8. A green message box will appear at the top of the page; file request sent.

Manage files

After you have created a delivery package, you may need to go back and revise that package. You may view, download, or delete messages and files you have sent.

1. From the FDS home page, select the Secure Messages drop-down menu and select Sent. A log of all your sent messages will appear.
2. Select the down arrow under the Action column beside the package you wish to edit.
3. A drop-down menu will appear with a variety of options:
   • View Message (Popup): View your sent messages in a smaller window.
   • View Message: View your sent messages on your current webpage.
   • Download Log: Open the Download Log page. A list will appear of recipients who have downloaded your files.
   • Download All: Download all the files attached to the sent message. Note the maximum file of any file in a ZIP archive is 4 GB.
   • Delete Attachments: Delete the attachments from the sent file. A popup will appear to confirm your action. Select the OK button to delete the package permanently.
   • Delete Message: Delete the entire message. A popup will appear to confirm your action. Select the OK button to delete the message permanently.
4. Select the Gear icon in the upper-right hand corner and then click Logout if you have completed transactions in the file delivery system.