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Can we have more folder options like custom folders or sub-folders to add to Computer Backup?

Can we have more folder options like custom folders or sub-folders to add to Computer Backup?

helenavelikaja
New member | Level 2

Right now, the automated backup option in Dropbox allows me to sync my Documents, Desktop and Downloads folders. By far the biggest - and most important - folder on my computer is the Music folder though. I can imagine for other people it's Pictures. Could we have a way to automatically backup those folders too?


To be really ambitious: would we be able to clone our computer on Dropbox? I used to have an Apple Time Machine that allowed you to do just that. If your computer broke down or was stolen, you could buy a new one, let it download the clone, including not just your documents but your applications and presets too, and you'd be good to go!

Please let Dropbox be the new Time Machine.

Latest Update
Emmet
Community Manager

This idea is currently being worked on by our internal team, and is already available for external drive backups. External Drive Backups are available to all of our users. You can find out more about computer backups in our Help Centre.

 

Screen Shot 2021-12-07 at 9.01.21 PM.png

 

Computer backup is currently being worked on by our teams. If you are interested in participating in beta testing new features to our backup solutions, you can find out how to opt in here

 
Status changed to: Accepted
148 Comments
David S.178
Collaborator | Level 9

That is a completely different issue, and a good one. It deserves its own thread, so ideally you would delete your posting here and post again in its own thread.

Ksiyas
New member | Level 2

Hello. Id like the ability to auto backup a specific folder, not just the entire library. My current use case is that there is 1(!) folder within my downloads folder that I want to auto backup.

 

If I just backup that 1 folder it's 20gb but if I am forced to do the currently limited option of selecting the entire Downloads folder, it would rocket up to 48gb. 

 

Please add this functionality. Thanks in advance.

Kate_L
New member | Level 2

Dear Dropbox,

 

I would like this to go further and allow you to browse to back up a secondary hard drive. My primary hard drive is used for running complex software and a secondary hard drive is used for file storage. I would like to use the back up function to be able to clone this hard drive so if something happened to the computer I would always have the files stored safely with you!

Shalmirane
Explorer | Level 4

Is there any update on this one? I would like to just select whatever folders I would like to backup using standard windows file/directory dialog. Perhaps even add them via context menu.

mica123
New member | Level 2

I second this. Is there an update? There are many of us who would like to backup any folder on our PCs/Macs, not just Documents or Desktop or Downloads. This should be simple enough, it is surprising that Dropbox has not enabled that feature so far. Thanks.

Pirx
Helpful | Level 6

Just to drop back in and let people know: YES, there is a substantial update, in two important ways:

  1. First, at least in Windows, you can now also add your Music, Pictures, and Videos folders to the set of folders to be backed up
  2. Second, and just as important, Dropbox is now able to recognize Windows shell folders that have been properly moved as such, and back them up even if they are not in their default system locations. That is, as long as you have moved the shell folders (such as "Music", say), by using the right-click context menu in Windows Explorer, clicking on "Properties", and then going to the "Location" tab to set the new location, Dropbox will happily backup those folders no matter where they reside physically.
mica123
New member | Level 2

Thank you, but I had other folders in mind, nit the default ones such as Music, Pictures or Videos. Let's say that I have a folder called "Work" under C:\ - I am unable to add it to the Backup.

Pirx
Helpful | Level 6

Yes, that is correct, those still cannot be added

lamoidfl
Explorer | Level 3

This is so typical of Dropbox. It would be simple (for companies that have competent management and programmers) to allow a user to specify an arbitrary folder for back up, e.g. F:\Docs\Courses. But Dropbox sets arbitrary, ridiculous restrictions on what you can do, and does not even attempt to change it. If I did not already have so much data in my dropbox account, I would drop it immediately and use a cloud storage service that is reasonable and competent. In addition I have found their customer service to be anything but that. Usually if something goes wrong with their code they blame it on Microsoft. At some point I am going to have to find another service because Dropbox has proven to be so bad in so many ways.

kast
Explorer | Level 3

Hello everyone,

I would also appreciate this feature. I need to backup on PC the whole D:\ drive and not change the path name. I need backup D:\work\.. not D:\dropbox\work\.. because I have plenty of textures linked into 3D files with exact path name. And I can’t be changed automaticly so I would have to do it several times in each 3D file in last decade.  (I am a bit dramatic, but it could help a lot).

Please, let me know when it is possible and I will purchase dropbox again. Thank you a wish you great day. 

 

And thanks @Megan to point on this request. 

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