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Forum Discussion
How can I view only the local files on my computer's File Explorer?
I use Selective Sync on my laptop PC. Everything works well and I have no problems. However, sometimes I would like to use File Explorer" to view ONLY locally stored files, and not ALL of the files in Dropbox that are stored in Dropbox online (and also some of them locally on my laptop.).
Another way of asking . . . Dropbox on my laptop is within my C: drive. But sometimes I would like to view locally stored files on my laptops C: Drive.
3 Replies
- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks for posting on our forum today, 1tomhouck.
To clarify, when using selective sync and unchecking folders via your Dropbox app preferences, those folders will only appear on www.dropbox.com (not File Explorer); so, in this case, you should only be able to access the local folders on your computer.
Is it possible you’ve made some of your files online-only, instead of selectively syncing them? This feature replaces the actual file with a placeholder, which remains visible in your local Dropbox folder.
Feel free to send over a screenshot of what you’re seeing on your end as well, and I’ll have a look.
Keep me posted.
Thank you for your response. I guess I was not clear with my question. I use Dropbox everyday and it works great for me. I understand and use Selective Sync just fine. I know how to use Dropbox online to see and access my files just fine. I know how to go to Preferences and see which folders are being backed up to Dropbox online . . . So I’m good to go on everything Dropbox, except. . . I want to use File Explorer and view my local files that are physically on my PC, which, therefore, I can use and access without an Internet connection, that are within Dropbox, without seeing all of the other files stored online and only in Dropbox online. So, on my PC, my Dropbox folder has 150 GB of files (mostly online) and about 10 of those GB are stored locally on my PC. How can I use File Explorer, to see which folders and files make of the 10 GB on my PC?
- Rich
Super User II
I want to use File Explorer and view my local files that are physically on my PC ... without seeing all of the other files stored online and only in Dropbox online.
It doesn't work that way.
The Dropbox folder on your computer will contain all files that are in your account, excluding any folders you've removed with Selective Sync. If you've marked a file or folder as Online-only, the content of the files will only exist online, but you'll still see them in your local folder.
There is no view that ONLY shows the local files. You'll see all files that are Available Offline (i.e. local) and Online-only. The sync icons for Online-only files will, however, be different from your local files, so you can use that as a quick indicator of whether or not a file is local or online-only.
