Windows 11 new computer - how can I sync my Desktop and other folders?

[mebrooks]

New computer with WIN 11, one thing right away is that WIN 11 does not allow you to look at files evidently unless you are in the User directory. My question is - when I open desktop app preferences, and select 'Selective Sync, it only shows the older files already in the account from my last computer. How do I selectively sync so I am able to sync my Desktop and other folders?

[Hannah]

Hey @mebrooks, thanks for taking the time to post to our Community.

Can you please clarify with me exactly what you'd like to do?

Are you trying to back up the Desktop folders of this new computer to your Dropbox account? If so, you'll need to turn on the backup feature on this computer.

Are you missing other Dropbox folders that are saved to your account, but do not appear in your selective sync settings?

Keep me posted.

[mebrooks]

Thank you.

On my old computer I was able to selectively sync certain folders and not others. When I open preferences in the desktop app, and choose sync - then 'selective sync' (as I have done in the past) the only folders that appear are the ones previously uploaded. None of my current files are being uploaded except for ones I put in a folder called 'Ryzen 5 files'. 

I previously was able to point Dropbox towards which folders (not the entire drive) that I wanted to sync and be able to make use of the local/online only functionality as an extension of my computer. I use file explorer, and all my previous files are located just where I put them. I want only the files I choose to be uploaded automatically as they were previously on a WIN 10 machine.

Thanks again for your response.

 Version: 152.4.4880

HP Ryzen 5 with Windows 11 - 16gb RAM etc

[Megan]

Hi @mebrooks, sorry to jump in here! 

Can you send me a screenshot of what you see on your end, please? 

Also, what is the app's syncing status currently? 

[mebrooks]

[mebrooks]

Files are up to date in both sync/drobox desktop app and file explorer. (No sync activity except manually  or for folder edits)

[Hannah]

Thanks for the update here!

Just to make sure I got this right, you're opening the sync preferences on your new computer, but you're not seeing your newest folders in the selective sync settings, only older ones?

Are these new folders synced to your account and are you able to access them from your account online?

[mebrooks]

Correct on both counts, thanks.

[Hannah]

I see, thanks for the clarification!

Are they available in the Dropbox folder of the new computer, though, or are they missing from there as well?

If they are missing, do the names of these folders, contain any of the incompatible characters here?

If so, try to remove those characters, using the website, to see if the folders will sync, so that you can access them from the selective sync settings.

[mebrooks]

"Are they available in the Dropbox folder of the new computer, though, or are they missing from there as well?"

All previously existing files from the previous computer are all current and visible both online and in file explorer.

I have no idea where windows 11 stores things from the desktop, and I use it as a folder rather than visible on the desktop. Since I am currently unable to sync, I am saving in the previous computer's desktop sync area. I am in the middle of editing a film for a memorial service next month, so I have had to just go on and get my work done.