Forum Discussion

KeyBlue's avatar
KeyBlue
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago

Online-Only Not Working?

Hi all, We're trying to move all files from a 2TB local networked hard drive to Dropbox. My first question is - Am I right in thinking that when I paste a file or folder into the local Dropbox fold...
Delete
desktop
sync
Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
7 years ago

Yes, exactly KeyBlue - just keep in mind that many processes on your machine may look at files that you might have not manually opened and in order to fulfill these requests from these processes Dropbox syncs the files (thus making them local again and taking up hard drive space on your computers). Examples of this include:

  • Backup services
  • Antivirus
  • Recently used file lists
  • Third party applications that monitor files in general.

If a file has been synced locally that you would prefer to have online-only, simply right click on it again and select online-only from the Smart Sync menu.

I hope this information is helpful to you while I remain at your disposal should you have any more questions or concerns. 

mergerarb's avatar
mergerarb
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

Hello, when i right click smart sync, there is no option for me to set the file to ''online only" 

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    6 years ago

    Hi mergerarb; welcome to our Community!

     

    If you're still having issues with this,  could you let me know what plan are you on, your computer's OS and the version of our desktop application along with its exact status as shown within your system tray/menu bar? 

     

    Thanks! 

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