How to select or disable folders on new computer or dropbox?

[blee23]

I use TimeMachine on my old MacBookAir, which stopped working, to transfer everything to my newMacBookAir - but when I open DropBox there, I've noticed the new DropBox folder on the new computer has every file and folder from DropBox synced including files and folders that I don't want to sync. Now in the past I remembered if I delete those folders (unsync) on my MacBookAir, those same folders will also disappear (be deleted) from my DropBox account too. So I don't want to repeat that again. I can somehow circumvent that problem by creating a new folder on DropBox and moving the files there. But this time there's just too many folders and therefore will be tedious and time consuming. Any suggestions or solutions? I'm sure there's a proper way to unsync the folders but can't see it on the new DropBox format.

[Jay]

Hi @blee23, thanks for messaging the Community.

Are you referring to using selective sync in the Dropbox desktop application to prevent entire folders from appearing on your machine?

This will help me to assist further!

[blee23]

I think so, because I don't change computers or add new devices (like phone or tablets) too often.

When I tried to access DB from the new computer, it just asked me to verify that it's the real me with emailed verification codes. Then once that's done, it didn't ask me about syncing folders or whatnot. Then I saw everything from my DB is now copied to my computer - which is exactly what I don't want to happen.

[Walter]

Hey @blee23, sorry to jump in, but I was wondering; can you access your app's preferences and change your selective sync settings now?

[blee23]

Ah yes that helps, ... I knew it was somewhere but did not look thoroughly. 

But the thing is, anyone who has access to my computer can also illegally enter and 'unhide' those folders through the same means since DB does not ask for password or any security methods every time someone click on the apps or the 'open dropbox.com' icon.

[Hannah]

Hey @blee23, indeed, there's currently no way to password protect the Dropbox folder, or stop someone from accessing the preferences, when they are on your computer.

I'll pass your feedback along to our team about this, though, so thanks for your comments.

If you need anything else, please let us know!

[blee23]

Yes please do. Laptops and smart phones get stolen almost constantly everyday and sensitive/confidential files or info in Dropbox should have priority protection. I'm surprise they didn't even considered by your programmers. And it isn't that difficult to code in those security features either. It's been done for decades already by others. I tried bringing it to their attention years ago but to no avail.