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Robert F.41's avatar
Robert F.41
Helpful | Level 6
3 years ago

Not understanding how syncing works

I've read all of Dropbox's documentation about keeping computers in sync but I still don't think I'm understanding how it works. I have two Mac laptops and all I want to do is 1) Keep local copies of...
Organize
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    3 years ago
    Robert F.41 wrote:

    What I don't understand is why, if Dropbox is supposed to be keeping the Documents and Desktop folders in sync between the two computers, there aren't Documents and Desktop folders up on dropbox.com?

    That's not what Dropbox does. Dropbox will keep the local Dropbox folder in sync between your computers. It does not keep the Desktop or Documents folders in sync between your computers.

     

    The idea behind Dropbox (and other cloud storage/sync services) is that you no longer need a Documents folder. The intent is that you move your files into the Dropbox folder so they can sync to your account and any other computer that you've Dropbox installed on, and work on them from there. Dropbox can only sync the files and folders that are in your Dropbox folder.

     

    Where I believe the confusion is coming from is with the Backup feature. When you enable Backup you're allowing Dropbox to MOVE your key folders, in your case, Desktop and Documents, into your Dropbox folder so they sync, but since this is a backup operating and not just a normal sync, those folders only sync to a specific Mac folder in your account, and will not sync to any other devices.

Rich's avatar
Rich
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
Jim B.45 wrote:

On Windows you can change the location of your Desktop and Documents folders.

The OP is on a Mac, which doesn't have the ability to relocate those folders, so Jay's comment is correct. The entire Home folder can be moved, but not the individual folders within.

Jim B.45's avatar
Jim B.45
Helpful | Level 7
4 months ago

Oops, my mistake. But at least my comment might be of value to Windows users.

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