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Forum Discussion

GMoneyy's avatar
GMoneyy
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago
Solved

Exclude folder from syncing - but KEEP on desktop

I can't seem to find an answer to this issue specifically. I have a folder within a folder that contains many files I do not want added to my dropbox. Attempting to use selective-sync, I went into my...
desktop
Mac
sync
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    3 years ago

    Hi GMoneyy, thanks for messaging the Community!

     

    If you choose 'Get info' on the folder in question, you would get the full file path.

     

    That is where you would replace the example files path in the command line for Terminal.

     

    If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.

irenesf's avatar
irenesf
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

Many of us want to have some fires only on the computer, not on DB. But we prefer not to use Terminal. I think we can have folders in our Home folder but outside the library where DB now lives, that would work. However we would prefer to have a folder on the always visible Desktop to work with!

 

Any suggestions?

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

Hey irenesf, I'm afraid the only way I can think of is by using our ignore feature as outlined here which would require you to use the terminal.

 

I wish I had a better answer for you. 

  • irenesf's avatar
    irenesf
    Helpful | Level 5
    3 years ago

    Thank you Walter, but phooey!    Too bad adding a tilde ~ to the name of the folder does not indicate to DB that is is hands off!

     

    Am I correct about putting it in one's HOME folder would work?

     

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      3 years ago

      HI irenesf, aside from using Terminal command, it wouldn't be possible to prevent files from automatically syncing to the Dropbox site.

       

      Regarding the shortcut, what exactly are you trying to achieve? Is this to access certain folders in Dropbox quickly via the desktop?

      • irenesf's avatar
        irenesf
        Helpful | Level 5
        3 years ago

        Many things are  needed urgently and often for a week or two. Then they are deleted. 
        No need to waste DB space on those items. .

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