Exclude files/folders from backup

[Koczka]

It would be nice, if from the new "backup" feature would be extended by an exclude option.

A lot of programs store temporary files in the Documents folders, which doesn't need to backup.

The exclude option could go to the "mouse right click" menu. (also the exclude from sync, not only exclude from backup)

Thank you!

[Walter]

Thank you for your idea, while we can’t take every idea forward we do regularly re-review and will update you if anything changes!

[taciteloquence]

THIS!

Otherwise I may have to turn off the backup feature. I don't need to back up every big file in my Downloads folder

[Lusil]

This idea is going to need a bit more support before we share your suggestion with our team. 

We’ve updated the status to encourage more users to back you up!

[taciteloquence]

Thanks @Lusil ! I'm pretty optimistic that other people have this problem as well.

[cgravelm]

I agree with this comment as well, so you can add my support. My Dropbox backup actually often gets stuck syncing temporary files as I work in some programs, and it drains my laptop battery as well as uses bandwidth I don't need. I've started having to pause the sync or even quit the application during the day so that I can work more efficiently. This is becoming counter-productive and it almost makes me want to stop using the automatic backups altogether.

[Walter]

Thank you for your idea, while we can’t take every idea forward we do regularly re-review and will update you if anything changes!

[Gebhard Wierling]

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I like to use the "Synchronize" service in the DROPBOX application. For example, on this computer mentioned above (MSI), "Picasa" creates many files in each picture folder, but they are only used on this computer and do not have to be backed up. Another program generates many HTML files on the "HTPC PC" computer that are only used there and nowhere else . When I asked for support about a different topic, I was informed that there is no provision for a filter to be used to exclude certain files or folders from the synchronization. I suggest integrating such a function into the program.

Kind regards

Gebhard Wierling

[kadriaen]

I strongly agree.

I'm a software engineer and a lot of the tools I use generate a lot of fast changing temporary files that  do not require sync or backup at all.

This means dropbox is currently of limited use to me as most of the data on my system is in project folders that have a mix of temporary files (no sync/backup required) and source code, config, ... files (that do require backup).

(I typically use a various version control systems for the majority of my work, but this is not a single centralised 'backup' and some of the data cannot be put under version control (not shareable), but definitely does require backing up.)

Ideally I would like to simply mark my top level 'Projects' folder as a dropbox 'sync' or 'backup' folder while telling dropbox to ignore all '**/target' folders under 'Projects' (for example).

[kimandjo]

Hi!

I live on an island with pretty slow internet connection, so a way to exclude certain folders will have to be implemented before I would dare to use this backup feature.

I work with animation projects with lots of both small and crazy large assets. It would be so nice to be able to work only from external ssd drives where I could choose to backup folders with small assets to the cloud, while using larger capacity external hard drives to make full backups of the largest video files, like I already do with Time Machine.

Just a little menu where you choose which folders to exclude. Like how apple time machine works (and probably windows backup and sync) so people would already be familiar with it. 

[Walter]

Hi all - would maybe skipping the files as outlined here do the trick for you?

[girarde]

There is another reason to wish to exclude files from backup: A security database may need a shared location, but to augment Dropbox security it may be desired to use a keyfile that is only stored on authorized devices. The keyfile should never be remotely accessible.