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Anderssssf's avatar
Anderssssf
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago

Random files being backed up?

Hey
I have been looking through my backup and seems to find that dropbox backup finds random files, which only share the characteristics of having random names attached to them. Should I erase them or are they a part of the dropbox backup processes? If they have been too random files from my PC, is it possible to ignore them for backup?

Thank you in advance 

10 Replies

  • Anderssssf's avatar
    Anderssssf
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Hey
    I have problems for a while with dropbox backuping my folders, but the files inside the folders - with some instances where it only handpicks a few files. 
    How can i fix it?

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    3 years ago

    Anderssssf wrote:

    I have been looking through my backup and seems to find that dropbox backup finds random files, which only share the characteristics of having random names attached to them.


    Are you sure that these files aren't marked as hidden on your computer? Dropbox would still back them up, but you wouldn't be able to see them on your computer if they're marked as hidden files.

  • Anderssssf's avatar
    Anderssssf
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    I'm not sure. 
    Could be the case, but since their hidden on my computer, I do not know how to access them. 

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

    Hey Anderssssf, would you mind giving us some more info on the issues you're having?

     

    Can you, perhaps, give us a few examples of the files with the random names?

     

    About backup actually backing up your folders, but only randomly backing up files in them, could you check your backups page online, to see what you can find there?

     

    Do your backups look okay, or are they missing files there too?

  • Anderssssf's avatar
    Anderssssf
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Hey
    Yeah, it's like "variables.css" and "widgets". 

     

    In regards to the backups, I seem to find some of my files from my desktop, however, some of my other files seem not to be visible under the folders, in which they are supposed to be. I think it has something to do with all my space in dropbox being used up, however, I do not know how to change the setting to prioritize the files which I am missing from the backup.  

    Thank you in advance. 

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

    Hey Anderssssf, hope you don’t mind me jumping in. 

     

    Just to clarify, the files that you mention ("variables.css" and "widgets") were not showing within your computer folder prior to backing them up with Dropbox? 

     

    Also, if your Dropbox account has gone over-quota, then that would explain why not all files have been backed up. If you hover over the small Dropbox icon in your system tray, what’s its current syncing status?

  • Anderssssf's avatar
    Anderssssf
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Hey
    The current syncing status is in updating and has been continuously updating for a while over all my files, including those which I did not intend on being saved by dropbox

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

    Can you let me know what’s the approximate size of the computer files you wish to back up?

     

    Also, if you go here, how much is the total quota of your Dropbox account? In any case, you’ll need to have enough space on your account, in order to back up your computer files.

  • Anderssssf's avatar
    Anderssssf
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Hey
    Sorry for the late response.
    Its about the 3.16 GB, however, i was wondering how I could selectively choose what to back up here in dropbox. More specificially under what settings can I adjust for that? Then I should be able to safe the most essential files. 

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

    Hi Anderssssf, you can see more in regards to selective sync right here.

     

    Keep in mind that you can't use the feature on your Backup folders. 

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