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Dropbox Backup
162 Topics
Backup folder name change
Hello! I have 2 macs, one personal and one for work. Both had backup enabled and when I went online, I saw both computers' backup directories. The directories were both in the format of "My Mac (computername)" However, recently I disabled the Dropbox backup on my work laptop because I didn't think it would be wise to backup my work stuff to Dropbox. But I was subsequently told it was OK, so I re-enabled the backup. While everything was uploaded to Dropbox just fine, the name of the work laptop backup directory is now simply "Mac (2)". I would like to rename the folder to the "My Mac" format I previously had, but it is not letting me rename the folder. Any assistance would be great. Thanks in advance.Solved11KViews13likes43Comments
Dropbox moving my documents folder
Hi guys, I just tried the latest beta feature that allows me to backup my mac's folders. The issue is that when I select to backup my documents folder, dropbox just moves my entire documents folder from /Users/username/ to /Users/username/Dropbox/My Mac/ folder without asking me if that's OK. It just created a symlink in my home folder (/Users/username) that points to the the dropbox folder. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE. 1. A backup software shouldn't move around the source files. I want my data to stay in a specific location that I prefer. 2. I have another backup software running on my machine that has to now re-upload ~9gb of files because dropbox decided to move the folder. 3. The replacement folder it created doens't even match the icon of documents folder. This frankly feels like an intrusion of my data. Until dropbox can figure out how to backup files/folders without moving my data in the dropbox folder I am turning this feature off. I hope this feedback reaches the right folks. Thanks.4.8KViews9likes11Comments
My backed up desktop folders disappeared from my computer and are only on the Dropbox cloud
Hi everyone - have had Dropbox for a while, and have had specific files from my Macbook back up to Dropbox (my documents file and my desktop). When I used the laptop last night everything was located on my Macbook and in Dropbox where it should be. This afternoon, came home from work and I have nothing on my desktop anymore (all files, folders, etc) and my entire My Documents folder are gone from the Macbook but are in Dropbox. Anytime I create a new file on the desktop it disappears into the dropbox cloud. There are sync issues identified, and I can't fix them because Dropbox can't find the files in their original location...not sure what to do or how to fix. I want all the files in both places, not just in the cloud on Dropbox. Any help appreciated. Thanks!5.8KViews5likes22Comments
Stop Dropbox from backing up external drive
I made the mistake of accepting a request from Dropbox to back up an external drive plugged into my Mac. I didn't stop to think the files in that drive were going to be huge video files that should NOT be backed up to Dropbox. How do I stop the backup of that external drive? The help section says go to the preferences of the Mac Dropbox app and uncheck folders I don't want to be synced. There is NO such option. The only option is to uncheck something about set up notifications for new external drives. There was another help suggestion that suggested right clicking "the backup" and pausing it. WHAT backup?? I don't see the external drive listed anywhere in my Dropbox folder, and right clicking the external drive icon on my desktop doesn't show any Dropbox options. How do I stop this backup without disabling ALL backups?? Thank you for any help on this....Solved19KViews5likes22CommentsI can't access my backup from other devices after a recent update
I recently updated to the new Dropbox Backup on my main computer and, from the reading that I have done, realized that the new update no longer allows you to view or access files in backup from the Dropbox folder on other devices. I do work across a computer and two laptops and need to be able to access and edit my files from any device on any other device and have everything sync in real-time. Before the update, this worked flawlessly as I could access and edit files in the documents folder of one computer from another. But it seems that this function has been removed. Is it possible for me to roll back the update and restore the old functionality. If not, what can I do to have all of my files sync and be accessible across devices. I use Dropbox specifically for this functionality and with this change, Dropbox has become effectively useless to me.5.4KViews4likes15CommentsProblem with backup (folders not in default location)
Long Story - Short Version New pc/laptop. Installed 2nd hard drive/ssd Moved location of ALL my folders (public and private) to 2nd drive. Path D:\Users\XXXX(name of user)\folder(music, documents, videos etc) Installed upgraded dropbox with 1 year free gratis 100gb storage. because i bought a 2k laptop.... and discovered DropBox Backup& Sync.. It won't run because folders are not in default location. IE C:\user\XXXX\Folder Duh! Of course they ain't! And I dont want them there EVER! The repair option will move the folders back to C: and I DO NOT WANT THAT TO HAPPEN - EVER! And because of this, the backup funtion won't work. This is sloppy programming! I was using Glacier from Synology (which is FREE BTW) and i just point it at my folders and BOOM! backed up. This bit of software cant even backup if the files are not where DropBox programmers have decided they must be. Really Bad Idea. anyone these days with a pc or laptop, which can use a second drive WILL move their folders off the boot drive. unless they have a death wish, of course...Solved9.4KViews4likes25Comments
I'd like utilize Dropbox as a backup however I have some syncing-specific questions.
Hello, My goal was to use dropbox to backup the stuff on my computer, but need more clarification on how the syncing works. I'll list my questions below: 1. Can I upload a folder from my computer to dropbox, and then delete the folder from my computer without it also be deleted from dropbox? My goal is to use dropbox as a backup. 2. If folders are syncing between my computer and dropbox, and my laptop were to crash, would I lose all of the content in dropbox? 3. Is it possible to save content from my computer on dropbox without syncing, and still have it be visible on the dropbox on my computer? Thanks in advance!Solved24KViews4likes10Comments
Dropbox External Drive Backup - Changing Computers
I’ve just found out when you change Laptop / Desktop you can’t continue to use the same external hard drive with Dropbox Backup. This is absolute madness. If you want to continue to use that hard drive with Dropbox Backup you have to re upload the full HD. I have 2TB used on a 4TB external SSD and I’ve just changed to a new MacBook. I’m having to spend three days uploading / backing-up all my data again just to continue to use that same drive with the new device. What a waste of energy, electricity, data and bandwidth. For no reason. My old backup is sitting there in my account with all the same data and I just have to re-upload 2TB of the exact same files for no reason other than Dropbox can’t set up a way to re-link an external hard drive on on a new system. I can’t believe this is the current state of affairs for this service.1.4KViews3likes15Comments
Two-Way Sync Option for "Camera Uploads" Folder
Please release a "Two-Way Sync" toggle option for the "Camera Uploads" folder. This "Camera Uploads" folder would actually be a valuable feature if this option were enabled. Currently, the folder is a one-way sync, which simply creates more work for us users - if we use the feature as is, we have to clean out photos twice - once on our phone and once in the "Camera Uploads" folder. For that reason, I simply have the feature turned off as I am sure many others do as well. Ideally, with this folder having 2-way sync capability, it could be used as a "holding place" for phone photos until the user is able to organize the pictures/videos into proper folders elsewhere on Dropbox. This way, if the phone is lost or stolen, those pictures are securely saved to Dropbox AND it is a perfect mirror of what was actually on the phone. PLEASE FIX THIS. 🙂2KViews3likes6Comments
Unable to stop or turn off desktop backup [SOLVED]
A while ago I turned on the new 'backup desktop/documents/downloads' feature. Now I want to turn it off, but I can't. There's no obvious 'turn this feature off' button. All the instructions I've seen point to a 'manage backups' or 'import' tab, which I don't have. I've upgraded to the latest Beta (Win 10), uninstalled, reinstalled, rebooted several times and nothing. I've just set Dropbox up again and I have unchecked the 'MY PC' box. But Dropbox is just merrily syncing all my stuff again. It's insane that Dropbox would enable this feature and not give users a simple way to turn the thing off. Does anyone know how I can do it?Solved16KViews3likes44Comments