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PGB99's avatar
PGB99
Helpful | Level 6
3 months ago
Solved

Dropbox is syncing files that have not been changed.

Device Lenovo X1 Carbon FGen 13 Operating System/Browser (if using the web) Windows 11 Dropbox App Version (if using the app) 232.4.5988 Syncing Status Syncing Question or Issue This is an ...
desktop
sync
windows
PGB99's avatar
PGB99
Helpful | Level 6
3 months ago

Just posted this to theThunderbird forum ....Will come back here when I get a reply.

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Hi, Yes, my Thunderbird client is connecting to Gmail with imap. I am using the Local Folders account to download full copies. I just have a folder hierarchy under the Local Folders a/c where I drag and drop emails to keep them as offline copies.

I can understand if I open any of these, Thunderbird might 'touch' the files and so Dropbox would sync them. But if I haven't looked at a subfolder, I would not think Dropbox would realise.

I noted that this 'full sync' doesn't happen on every open of Thunderbird / Dropbox.

One thought - I use Avast Cleanup Premium to keep safe, and it cleans up things every week, including temp files, cookies etc and cleans caches. Could it be that this makes either Thunderbird or Dropbox forget what has been synced?

Rich's avatar
Rich
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
3 months ago
PGB99 wrote:

I use Avast Cleanup Premium to keep safe, and it cleans up things every week, including temp files, cookies etc and cleans caches. Could it be that this ...

ANY process that modifies the files could cause them to sync. If the files are marked as Online-only (i.e. not actually stored locally, just a reference file), then ANY process that TOUCHES the file, including a virus scan, backup, cleanup utility, etc., will cause Dropbox to download it.

So if your files are stored locally (marked as Available offline), and Dropbox is syncing them SOMETHING is changing something within the file. Dropbox won't (and can't) just sync files for no reason, and it won't sync files that haven't changed.

  • PGB99's avatar
    PGB99
    Helpful | Level 6
    3 months ago

    Thanks Rich, 

    I am beginning to think Thunderbird is the culprit. 

    I am currently on the TB forum as well, so will post any conclusions back here. 

    • Megan's avatar
      Megan
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      3 months ago

      Hey PGB99​!

      Still stuck with this, or did you work some magic and fix it? Do you have any updates?

      Either way, we'd love to know what fixed it for you, or if you still need some help. 

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