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Forum Discussion
bob99
5 years agoHelpful | Level 5
Stop creating a file (.dropbox.device) on every device I connect to my pc!
Simple solution had at least an option in the settings to disable this feature.
I red a lot of messages in this community going back over a year now... and I understand why it's being created to help your software with notification... but I am sure their is a better way of doing this without writing an unwanted file on every external device.
Hi all - thanks for ongoing patience and feedback on this.
Could you please let us know if you notice this behavior after installing our latest, stable version of the desktop app found on this page?
Thanks so much!
54 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
- drumuser4 years agoHelpful | Level 6
I agree!
This is totally unacceptable, why the HELL does dropbox need to add it's files to devices??? Please stop this. Dropbox should use the "My Dropbox" folder and it's internal Programs locations and nothing else.
- drumuser4 years agoHelpful | Level 6
here is the screenshot, I inserted a USB stick today 24/02/2022 and dropbox app created that .dropbox.device file:
And I have the option to ask about backing up devices UNCHECKED.
please stop this behaviour
- MrTom4 years agoHelpful | Level 6
I use Dropbox for my business on my Windows PC. I repair tech and computers and I plug devices into my computer all the time. I'm trying to transfer my customer's data to a 1TB USB drive. A while after I plug it in I see a ".dropbox.device" file created on my customer's USB drive.
There's no option in Dropbox (Backups->Camera Upload) or online to disable ALL camera uploads. Just "Photos Only" and "Photos and Videos". I also tried changing my AutoPlay in Windows 10 since there's a link in Settings, and that didn't work either. I delete the file, eject the drive, then reinsert the drive and it gets created again!
Sometimes I do NOT WANT ANY FILE TO BE WRITTEN TO A DRIVE at all! If these drives had a write protect switch, I would use it, but they don't.
How can I make Dropbox stop writing to my external drives without having to close Dropbox while I work, then run Dropbox when I'm done?
- Megan4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi there, MrTom, how are you today?
Can you send over a screenshot of the settings you've applied after clicking "Change AutoPlay Settings" in the Backups tab of the app preferences?
Thank you so much! - MrTom4 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Megan Well I don't use the Dropbox app, I use the Dropbox software for Windows. These are my Windows Auto Play settings.
- mailmail24 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Serious Bug Issue Feb 2022 with dropbox windows client creates .dropbox.device in all USB devices it does not follow or honor any windows 11 settings. Admins please inform the developer of windows exe to have a proper test with windows and to check for bugs to not create .dropbox.device file in all drives connected via usb
The setting to disable this does not work properly on dropbox windows 11 client. Autoplay in windows is disabled / still this file gets created in usbs
sample issues raised before with no proper solutions
https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-files-folders/What-is-dropbox-device/td-p/532122
- Rich4 years ago
Super User II
mailmail2 wrote:
Serious Bug Issue Feb 2022 with dropbox windows client creates .dropbox.device in all USB devices ...
This is not a bug and is the intended behavior. Dropbox uses this file to remember your backup/import preferences for that device.
- mailmail24 years agoHelpful | Level 6
have you tested the usecase before replying ? The setting to disable this is not working. Please don't jump the gun
- Megan4 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey MrTom, & mailmail2!
Would it be okay for me to reach out to you via email, in order for us to have a closer look into this?
Keep me posted. - kenleese4 years agoNew member | Level 2
This behavior is TOTALLY unacceptable. How can I prevent the ever-worsening DropBox Windows client from creating unwanted .dropbox.device files on USB devices?
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