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giant2130's avatar
giant2130
New member | Level 2
12 months ago

Is it possible to have the directory of files visible locally, without downloading them?

I have a new computer and want all my Dropbox files online only (10TB). Is there a way to have the directory of files visible locally without downloading all files? My old desktop was set up to show ...
desktop
Mac
sync
Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
3 months ago

Hi JadeB, in addition to those settings you have enabled, could you try marking the Dropbox folder itself as online-only by right clicking it and choosing that option, to see if this helps?

JadeB's avatar
JadeB
New member | Level 2
3 months ago

Thanks, Jay. But I don't have that option within Windows explorer.

In this screenshot I've selected all the folders except for the one that I want a local copy. Right-clicking produces only "transfer a copy" as an option.

 

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

    Are you certain that you're viewing the files in the Dropbox folder?

    Is the Dropbox desktop application currently running and syncing, in order for you to see all the context menu items?

    • JadeB's avatar
      JadeB
      New member | Level 2
      3 months ago

      Thanks Jay. I had paused syncing because I didn't want my HD to fill up. I resumed syncing and then I had the right-click context menu to "make online only."

      So, I've selected that. But I'll just have to wait and see if it continues to create the local folder structure or if it will leave whatever folders hadn't yet synced invisible on my local computer.

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

        It should populate the Dropbox folder with placeholder files of your entire folder structure, as you didn't hide any folders using the selective sync feature.

        This can take a little time depending on the number of files and folders on your account. 

        Let me know how it goes!

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