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Backup folder name change
Hello! I have 2 macs, one personal and one for work. Both had backup enabled and when I went online, I saw both computers' backup directories. The directories were both in the format of "My Mac (computername)" However, recently I disabled the Dropbox backup on my work laptop because I didn't think it would be wise to backup my work stuff to Dropbox. But I was subsequently told it was OK, so I re-enabled the backup. While everything was uploaded to Dropbox just fine, the name of the work laptop backup directory is now simply "Mac (2)". I would like to rename the folder to the "My Mac" format I previously had, but it is not letting me rename the folder. Any assistance would be great. Thanks in advance.
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That is not fair we are not able to change names of program and makes your program unusable for that feature for businesses that have multiple computers they do not all want named the same.
This issue has caused me all sorts of problems too.
I have two computers; a desktop and a laptop, both of which are backed up using DropBox.
Where both backups are simply labelled as 'Mac' and "Mac2', I have no clarification which is the iMac and which is the MacBook Pro.
Whilst on my MBP, I tried to sync a folder from my iMac, but I inadvertently synced the MCP, thus creating a folder of the laptop on the same laptop. This somehow completely rewired the routing on my laptop and created alias folder of all my fundamental folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, etc.). It also gave itself priority so if I export something to the Desktop, it actually goes to the alias folder; Dropbox > Mac2 > Desktop.
I can't even begin to tell you the problems this has caused me, all of which could have been very easily avoided if only we were able to name the backups in DropBox to make things crystal clear.
Come on DropBox, please sort it out!After over a year since my original post, it's good to see that there is more interest in this issue. In the past year I ended up replacing a Mac with another, which is now labeled "Mac (9)" as my backup directory, so this is truly annoying as heck. Hopefully this will be considered.
Question for Dropbox product people - is this even on the roadmap? If so, estimate of when it'll be addressed?
Thanks!
- To be clear
I am a Dropbox user just like yourself, I only offer this as an effective solution.
As to whether Dropbox breaks it or not…
Well I would use the second method I propose and then you just have symlinks in your home directory to folders that are being synced like any other folder in Dropbox
It avoids any of the “Backup” terminology and setup… you have just provided yourself with a handy link for yourself.
I’ll admit it requires willingness to use the terminal and really shouldn’t be necessary for such a simple concept.
We’re you able to see the link contents from my post? With the instructions near the end…..
```bash
[my prompt is a '→' and the current directory prepends the prompt sign]
~ → IFS="::"
[Set a custom separator character so spaces can be used in directory names]
~ → COMPUTER_BACKUP_DIR="My Mac (MacBook Pro 13)"
~ → mkdir ~/Dropbox/$COMPUTER_BACKUP_DIR/Desktop
~ → cp -r ./Desktop/. ~/Dropbox/$COMPUTER_BACKUP_DIR/Desktop
OR (I prefer rsync)
~ → rsync -a ./Desktop/. ~/Dropbox/$COMPUTER_BACKUP_DIR/Desktop
``` Although I appreciate the workaround to be able to modify the symbolic links through Terminal commands...
- We shouldn't have to do this!
- There are always risks with Terminal commands
- As these are unsupported commands they can always be broken by any Dropbox upgrades
This problem has been around for a long time and Dropbox needs to reprioritise the problem in their software update planning
I have gone to the link in your message and I have clicked on the Vote for this idea -> button. But nothing happens.
This item definitely needs to move up in their priorities.
I created a doc explaining how this could be done -- with some willingness to use the terminal and be responsible for your changes
https://brianlamb.notion.site/Methods-for-Custom-Backup-Folder-Name-f0426632c9044ab5bb3c52a0ec74ca50
as i paid 650 euro for a business account, i cant really get a grasp on why i cant define my mac backup folder so its alligning with my number-based foldertree
- That suggestion has been out there for almost two years and has 41 votes. So this isn’t something recent. So to everyone on this thread - VOTE on the suggestion Nancy posted above. The more votes, the more Dropbox’s product people will pay attention to it.
- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi everyone, I hope you’re all doing well.
At the moment, we have a relevant idea that’s open here, so if you’re interested, you can definitely vote for it.
This will really help our team have a clearer image of what you need, and look into this further.
Hope this helps!
