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How do I select specific folders for automatic backup?

How do I select specific folders for automatic backup?

EdMorton
Explorer | Level 4
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This sounds like such a simple thing but I cannot figure out how to choose specific folders to automatically backup. When I get to the backup folder selection menu in the dropbox app I have half a dozen high level choices like "Desktop", "Downloads", and "Videos" to choose from but I don't want to automatically backup any of those, I want to backup specific folders like "C:\cygwin64\home\foo\bar" - how do I tell the app to do that? I'm on a Windows 11 PC.

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Accepted Solutions

Rich
Super User II
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@EdMorton wrote:

I want to backup specific folders like "C:\cygwin64\home\foo\bar" - how do I tell the app to do that?


You can't. The Backup feature only backs up the key folders of your operating system; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc, along with external drives. You can't specify other folders to be backed up. Also keep in mind that Dropbox can only sync files that are located in your Dropbox folder. The backup feature works by MOVING the key folders into your Dropbox folder so they can sync. It doesn't back them up in place.

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6 Replies 6

Rich
Super User II
Go to solution

@EdMorton wrote:

I want to backup specific folders like "C:\cygwin64\home\foo\bar" - how do I tell the app to do that?


You can't. The Backup feature only backs up the key folders of your operating system; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc, along with external drives. You can't specify other folders to be backed up. Also keep in mind that Dropbox can only sync files that are located in your Dropbox folder. The backup feature works by MOVING the key folders into your Dropbox folder so they can sync. It doesn't back them up in place.

EdMorton
Explorer | Level 4
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OK, I guess Dropbox isn't for me then. Thanks for the quick response!

Cyberchicken76
Helpful | Level 5

When do you plan to implement that?

Cyberchicken76
Helpful | Level 5

>> the key folders of your operating system; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc, along with
external drives.
Whoever thought those are the "key folders of my operating system" made a very funny, naive and arrogant assumption.
When are you going to answer our questions?

SalemFisher
New member | Level 2
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Hello - I'm trying to set up Dropbox Backup but it won't let me select my own folders to back up. It gives me a list of folders to select from, but I want to incldue other folders (eg parts of Program Files). Is there a way to do this? I can't see a 'browse' option or similar. Many thanks.

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Rich
Super User II
Go to solution

@SalemFisher wrote:

It gives me a list of folders to select from, but I want to incldue other folders (eg parts of Program Files). Is there a way to do this?

The Backup feature only allows you to select folders that exist within your user folder, and even then, not all of them. It's meant to backup the key folders within your user profile (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc.).

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Top contributors to this post

  • User avatar
    Rich Super User II
  • User avatar
    SalemFisher New member | Level 2
  • User avatar
    Cyberchicken76 Helpful | Level 5
  • User avatar
    EdMorton Explorer | Level 4
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