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JMBand's avatar
JMBand
New member | Level 2
5 months ago
Solved

Can I pause Dropbox while backing up files to my external hard drive?

Dropbox noob here.

I've been advised by some people to always use the "3-Tier Backup Protocol" to back up important files: 1) on the computer's hard drive itself, 2) to an external hard drive, and 3) to the cloud.

Before I ever started using Dropbox, I was backing up to an external HD. Now that I use the Dropbox cloud, would I be able to temporarily disable Dropbox in order to also back up to my external HD, then re-enable Dropbox afterwards?

desktop
sync
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    5 months ago

    Hi from me JMBand - thanks for the additional information.

    In this case, I'd recommend making sure that your Dropbox desktop app is 'up to date' and not still syncing while you back your files up to your external hard drive. You can also pause syncing or quit the app when you perform your backups. 

    Let  us know if you have anything else to ask. 

4 Replies

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 months ago

    Thanks for posting here, JMBand!

    Can you clarify how you’re backing up files to your external hard drive exactly? Are you manually creating copies of your files and saving them on your external hard drive?

    Also, when saying you use the Dropbox cloud, are you referring to the desktop app you’ve installed on your computer or are you only using Dropbox via our website? 

    Let me know more details and we’ll go from there.

  • JMBand's avatar
    JMBand
    New member | Level 2
    5 months ago

    I'm used to using the Windows backup function (choosing the external HD as the backup target), having already indicated which files I wanted backed up. Just the normal way anyone would backup to an external HD.

    By Dropbox cloud, I'm just referring to the desktop app on my computer, set to "online only."

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 months ago

    Hi from me JMBand - thanks for the additional information.

    In this case, I'd recommend making sure that your Dropbox desktop app is 'up to date' and not still syncing while you back your files up to your external hard drive. You can also pause syncing or quit the app when you perform your backups. 

    Let  us know if you have anything else to ask. 

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