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Forum Discussion

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
4 months ago

Could you check the selective sync settings in the desktop app just in case to see if the folders were deselected?

SKSKSKSKSKSK's avatar
SKSKSKSKSKSK
New member | Level 2
15 days ago

Hi Jay.  

I appreciate you helping, & for clarity, I think what we're asking for is below (excuse the caps, but I want to be clear).  

I've been in many many forums about this and never received clear and concise STEP BY STEP process for how to do the following:

1. Install the Dropbox Desktop interface on a MAC.

2. Have the entire file structure VISIBLE but NOT DOWNLOADED - WITHOUT having to download EVERYTHING in that file structure and THEN select it for online only. 

3. THEN be able to download files as desired.

This was possible years ago.  It is not now, and hasn't been for some time.  My last two installs on new computers have gone poorly for this reason.  Going by all online suggestions, I have to compromise my computer's ability to function for days as I selectively download files one 250 GB grouping at a time (I have about 4TB of files on Dropbox), wait for them to successfully download, select them for online only, wait for them to be removed from my computer's storage, then do that again for literal DAYS.

Please, if it IS possible to do what I listed above, share the steps for this.  If not, please admit it and plead with the people in the development department to create a method to make your users rejoice and use your product, and not suffer and succumb to the easy route - just cancel & use Apple's Cloud.

THANK YOU!  Honestly, thank you, I know you're not the one who made the mess!!

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    15 days ago

    Hi SKSKSKSKSKSK, during the installation steps, there should be an option to have files automatically be online-only when the Dropbox folder is set up, instead of available offline. 

    Do you see that option when installing the app on a new device, or when using the advanced reinstallation steps?

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