We’re Still Here to Help (Even Over the Holidays!) - find out more here.
Forum Discussion
TomTommy1
5 years agoExplorer | Level 4
dropbox pretending my files are online only while copying
Hello all.
I do not have selective sync on/I have all folders checked to be held locally.
Save HD space automatically is off.
new files default is "local"
My computer says my ...
- 5 years agoThanks for the detailed response, Tom.
Since you recently downloaded Dropbox to this new computer and chose to sync your files as online-only, perhaps some of them have stayed that way.
Do they have the green check mark icon next to them, or the cloud icon?
If lots of them have the cloud icon, you can actually right click on the Dropbox folder itself, to make everything local at once.
After every file is local, can you try copying them again, to see if you get the same issue?
TomTommy1
5 years agoExplorer | Level 4
and selective sync may technically be turned on from the past, but all the folders are checked for syncing
it just won't make sure all my files are really local- or it pretends like they aren't until I click them, then they won't open till dropbox does something with my internet. wow. wowo. wow. Lets say i wanted to quit dropbox. HOW DO I EVER MAKE SURE IREALLY HAVE ALL MY FILES FIRST. (caps for the drobox team.)
Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
5 years agoThanks for the detailed response, Tom.
Since you recently downloaded Dropbox to this new computer and chose to sync your files as online-only, perhaps some of them have stayed that way.
Do they have the green check mark icon next to them, or the cloud icon?
If lots of them have the cloud icon, you can actually right click on the Dropbox folder itself, to make everything local at once.
After every file is local, can you try copying them again, to see if you get the same issue?
Since you recently downloaded Dropbox to this new computer and chose to sync your files as online-only, perhaps some of them have stayed that way.
Do they have the green check mark icon next to them, or the cloud icon?
If lots of them have the cloud icon, you can actually right click on the Dropbox folder itself, to make everything local at once.
After every file is local, can you try copying them again, to see if you get the same issue?
- James H.835 years agoExplorer | Level 3
I have the exact same problem. You indicate to "right click on the Dropbox folder itself and make everything local," but there is no such option when I right click. I assume you are talking about the folder on my computer, but I also tried right-clicking on folders in the online (web browser) Dropbox, but there is no option there either.
Any ideas?
- Hannah5 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey James H.83, thanks for the nudge here.
You can only change the state of your local files from the local Dropbox folder on your computer.
So, you'd need to go to your Dropbox folder, right click on it, select Smart sync > Local.- James H.835 years agoExplorer | Level 3
I should have been more detailed. Just like the person I was replying to, I already did everything I am supposed to do. The sync settings are all correct, but most of my files remain only links to the cloud.
- TomTommy15 years agoExplorer | Level 4Explorer | Level 3Saturday
I have the exact same problem. You indicate to "right click on the Dropbox folder itself and make everything local," but there is no such option when I right click. I assume you are talking about the folder on my computer, but I also tried right-clicking on folders in the online (web browser) Dropbox, but there is no option there either.
Any ideas?
REPLY TO ABOVE MESSAGE
it is really cryptic but simple action. Not checking a box, not changing settings. Go to your dropbox folder(not the shortcut! right click the dropbox folder shortcut and click "open file location" to see the actual folder). Right click on the actual dropbox folder, move your mouse down the pop up list to "smart sync" and hover for the addition box to pop open, and you should see "local" and "online only" - click "local." That should "wake dropbox up" and make it actually download all the files that SHOULD BE THERE ANYWAYS DROPBOX DEVELOPERERRERRES when smart sync is OFF and all dropbox folders are checked to be synced in dropbox ap settings.
- TomTommy15 years agoExplorer | Level 4
THANK YOU! I wish I didn't need to know that magic trick to make dropbox do what it is supposed to do.(settings have all boxes checked to sync and smart sync is off) (both my computers started having this problem just from switching selective sync back and forth)
But it appears to be making all files actualllllly local
About View, download, and export
Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.
The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.
If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.
For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.
If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!