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Forum Discussion
Moving Dropbox files from old disk to new on same machine, w/o re-downloading files.
Hello, I have a machine that has all of the Dropbox files (just under 1.6 tb) on an external USB 3.0 disk that is running extremely slow. I plan to replace the slow disk with a new and much fas...
Rich
Super User II
Super User III can copy the entire tree to the new disk, but don't want to have to re-download everything from the Dropbox cloud, that would seem to be very unnecessary.
First I'll remind you that it is strongly NOT recommended to store the Dropbox folder on an external drive. Under the right circumstances, data loss can occur. If the drive were to become disconnected while Dropbox were running, or if Dropbox is started before the drive connects, it could be seen as a mass deletion would then sync to your account online.
If the new drive is going to retain the same drive letter and the Dropbox folder will be in the same location, exit the Dropbox app, copy the Dropbox folder to the new drive, make sure it's in the same location with the same drive letter, then restart the Dropbox app.
If the location or drive letter will be different, first, uninstall Dropbox. Copy the Dropbox folder from the old drive to the new drive and rename it to Dropbox_OLD or similar. Install Dropbox and use the Advanced Options to specify the desired location for the Dropbox folder. A new Dropbox folder will be created and when the install is complete it will start to sync. Immediately exit the Dropbox application. Move the content of the Dropbox_OLD folder into the new Dropbox folder and restart Dropbox. Dropbox will need to index all of your files and will appear to be uploading/downloading. Be patient and let it work!
I would also suggest that you have all files marked as Available Offline and all folders selected in Selective Sync, so that all files are downloaded locally before you start the process.
Hi Rich,
Thank you for the quick reply!
The basic challenge here is that my current Dropbox folder is about 1.8 tb, most of which is my Lightroom catalog (commercial photographer here). My thinking was to include the LR catalog in Dropbox, so as to have offsite storage.
However, if I follow your (appreciated) advice, the target machine doesn't have an internal disk large enough to accommodate my Dropbox folder, and I'm not sure it has a slot to add an internal disk.
So, with that physical limitation, it sounds like removing the LR catalog from Dropbox is needed. Without LR, the Dropbox folder would only be about 325 gig, which can then avoid the need for a larger internal disk.
And your point about accidental data deletion - that's a scary thought indeed!!
QUESTION: What's the best approach for removing the LR catalog from Dropbox? I maintain a local copy of the complete Dropbox folder, indeed that's how I manage everything. Just remove it locally? Remove it from the cloud first?
Thanks again!
