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Forum Discussion
DioNik
3 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Stop syncing a drive but keep the files in Dropbox
Hi, I backup my D:\ drive in Dropbox (a 1tb ssd, only for media) but as it is full now, I want to delete most of the files, but keep them in my Dropbox account. Is there a way to stop syncing this p...
- 3 years ago
Sorry to jump in, DioNik, how are you today?
I'm afraid that if the drive remains plugged in and the backup feature is still enabled, the drive will keep syncing.
Alternatively, you could copy the files into your Dropbox folder, allow them to sync and then remove them with selective sync, like Walter suggested.
I hope this helps!
Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi there DioNik, welcome to the Community and happy Monday!
Can you please clarify how exactly are you backing up this drive to your Dropbox account?
Are you, for instance, using the Dropbox Backup feature or you've copied or moved your drive to Dropbox and have it syncing through the desktop app from within your Dropbox folder? Do you see in your account's homepage or on this page perhaps?
Apart from that, do you happen to be familiar with our selective sync feature?
Let me know what you find and we'll take it from there.
DioNik
3 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Hi Walter, I used the Dropox backup prompt that appear when I attached teh drive for the first time. I guess that selective sync could be an option, but I do not want to keep syncing this particular drive.
- Hannah3 years agoDropbox Staff
Sorry to jump in, DioNik, how are you today?
I'm afraid that if the drive remains plugged in and the backup feature is still enabled, the drive will keep syncing.
Alternatively, you could copy the files into your Dropbox folder, allow them to sync and then remove them with selective sync, like Walter suggested.
I hope this helps!
- DioNik3 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Yes that may be a good solution. Thanks! It will take some time, but it will do it.
- MikeInFL3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Question. What would happen in this case if user changes the D drive to a different drive letter? Say to F ?
Would dropbox backup detect that the D was changed to F and still sync/backup the files on it? Or would it act as if D was simply not connected?
If it acts as if D is not connected then the files are still on Dropbox backup, and the user can then delete the files on the F (which was D)? Later if the user wants access to the backup files they would need to rename the F back to D, or add a new drive D. Is this correct?
- hynekel3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Copying 82GB of files onto a laptop to stop Dropbox syncing them is a little silly. There must/should be a better way to turn on/off sync of specific folders once they start syncing. If not, please develop. Its needed. Thanks!
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