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Prototype · Local-to-web

Personal Cloud File Access

A personal prototype for accessing an external USB drive connected to a Windows computer through a browser.

ContextPersonal projectRolePrototype developerYear2026ScopePrototype · Infrastructure
Situation

Where the process was losing clarity.

Files on an external drive were tied to the host computer and needed a browser-based access path from another device.

Design response

The decisions that created a cleaner path.

Explored a custom web-access service through the Windows host while keeping the drive as the existing storage layer.

Operating flow

One state moves deliberately into the next.

  1. Source

    Keep the external USB drive as the existing physical storage layer.

  2. Expose

    Use the Windows host to provide a controlled web-access path.

  3. Browse

    Reach the available files through a browser from another device.

  4. Review

    Identify authentication, continuous hosting and backup as the next design questions.

Build scope

A focused system—not a collection of tools.

External-drive access prototype

Windows-hosted web path

Explicit future security and backup review

WindowsExternal storageWeb access
Documented outcome

What the work proves—and what it does not claim.

Browser access is owner-reported as working; continuous hosting, authentication design and backup review remain future work.

Interface system

Designed as a system,
not a collection of screens.

Explored a custom web-access service through the Windows host while keeping the drive as the existing storage layer.

Personal Cloud File Access
Tablet
Mobile

Working framework

How the experience
works underneath.

Each layer has one responsibility. That separation keeps the interface easier to understand now and easier to move from Vercel to dedicated infrastructure later.

Source

Keep the external USB drive as the existing physical storage layer.

Expose

Use the Windows host to provide a controlled web-access path.

Browse

Reach the available files through a browser from another device.

Review

Identify authentication, continuous hosting and backup as the next design questions.

Interface decisions

External-drive access prototype

This decision keeps the personal cloud file access experience focused, understandable and easier to operate.

Windows-hosted web path

This decision keeps the personal cloud file access experience focused, understandable and easier to operate.

Explicit future security and backup review

This decision keeps the personal cloud file access experience focused, understandable and easier to operate.

Build stack & plugins
WindowsExternal storageWeb access
Case-study palette
Foundation#09070DViolet#8750F7Surface#17101FText#F5F1F7
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