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Forum Discussion
Dropbox doesn't sync symbolic links anymore
Hi,
until this summer I was able to sync folders outside Dropbox using simbolic links.
I just tried again to sync a folder with this tricky method and it's not working. I tried to create simbolic link with normal and admin user rights, I tried to sync a folder in another disk partition, it just doesn't work anymore.
The "fun fact" is that the old symbolic links I created are working, but if I create a new one it shows a red X on it.
I know it's not a feature but a tricky method, but I read that Dropbox doesn't support simbolic link anymore.
Just....WHY. It was so useful, the only drawback was that the sync wasn't in real time with the great advantage of being able to save any folder you want without moving it into Dropbox.
In OneDrive I'm still able to use it (I use it even at work to backup (backup, not syncing, because it's not syncing in real time) my user folders), in Dropbox the old ones are working, but why not the new ones?
The command I use to create simbolic link is like this:
mklink /J "F:\Dropbox\TRANSFER\PC GAME\USERDATA_links\Pictures" "F:\USERDATA\Pictures"
Note that I could try with any folder, even in C: but it doesn't work anymore.
There is a method to make it working again?
Seems like Dropbox have removed the one most useful feature of DropBox; it is now 99% useless. Who the hell wants to reverse the symlinks. We all have file structures outside the dropbox maybe over multiple drives, which we have used for years, so are never going to change that. This is a crazy decision. Go back to the otiginal method ort I'm done with Dropbox !!
+1 need this functionality please. My use case is that I develop websites locally using my SSD drive - but use Dropbox on my HDD (with significantly slower read/write speeds). I use symbolic links to create a 'copy' of my dev files on the SSD that are then backed up via Dropbox.
We need to either be able to select custom folders to sync (outside of the main Dropbox folder) - or reintroduce symlink support. After being a loyal Dropbox user for 6+ years, I'm actively testing other solutions for this exact reason.
Does nobody from Dropbox bother to read these ?????
I see no repsonse from them and no explanation of why the symbolic link featrure was removed.
I think I'm done with Dropbox. I've laready cancelled our business account and my personal account is probably going to go the same way. It's of little use anymore.
Can anybody recomend a good alternative .. ie. one that does not rely on one folder location or supports symbolic links?
I had a chat with DB support, seems they removed symlinks due to a large amount of users getting confused. They have no plans to restore this feature and suggested I add it as a feature request. I've since deleted all my data as I said DB is of no use to me now. They have offered me a refund which I have accepted. As soon as that goes through I will cancel my account. I have switched to Sync.com where symbolic links work fine.
Cancelled my subscription! Dropbox is completely useless without support for symlinks! Used it with macOS, it still syncs hard links because they point to the same Unix inode. But APFS+ dosn't support folder hard links. Just make this option available for real users who need to work! And don't have a 2TB local folder full of cat images, this is absolutely ridiculous! I don't pay 100€ a year anymore for such a bad service. Will give you 0 stars and bad comments on every occasion I can find.
Update:
I switched to Google Drive, it is AWESOME! It makes it extremely smooth, just select the folders you want to sync and done, perfect! No more symlinks needed. It also is very easy to use on multiple PCs and to access data on the other PCs which you can mirror or load on access. Won't look back to Dropbox, and advice everyone with this problem, to switch! 🙂 You will love it.
- Fiona
Dropbox Staff
Hi Baboo85! Thanks for raising this topic.
Truth is symlinks won't work like the use to anymore.
Check out this Help center article explaining how Dropbox can sync symlinks nowadays.
We also have several Community discussions about this.
:books:
I received an email about changes to symlinks. Any ideas?
Best practices for using symlinks (symbolic links)
Moving folders/files to meet new symlink rules.
I am here for all your questions. :nerd:
Have a nice day!
Truth is symlinks won't work like they used to anymore.
Does that mean that the symlink feature is definitely not going to come back? Can you please provide a clear statement on this?
I am a paying user and I need to sync multiple folders in different drives, which until now could be achieved using symlinks/NTFS junctions. Moving everything under the dropbox folder is not an option for me. If this feature is no longer available I will be forced to cancel my subscription an look elsewhere.
- Fiona
Thanks for joining our discussion.
Symlinks were never a Dropbox feature xgirones. They use to work but they were causing huge syncing issues.
I am in the unpleasant position to confirm that the old set up with symlinks will not work.
Sorry to hear that you cannot change your set up.
time4us2fly Was the E folder syncing previously? :thinking: Are both your local folders linked with the same Dropbox account/email address?
Somehow when I got the latest update, my computer is not syncing properly. I keep a copy on an external drive and one on Dropbox. They used to sync perfectly. They no longer do and since they have the same shortcut name in my quick access file explorer, I am loosing track of which file is the right one. Please help get everything synced back up without losing my updated files.
- Fiona
Hello time4us2fly, thanks for posting.
You mentioned Dropbox needs to sync in 2 different locations and so I understand you are using symlinks. I merged your topic to this one here. I hope the information provided here clarifies matters and helps you set this up differently.
Dropbox should still sync, from the Dropbox desktop application to the web and the other way around though. Does it report to be "Up to date"? Check your status please.
Looking forward to your comment to see if there is a syncing issue with the dekstop app or if the problem described, is related to the symlink changes.
Thank you!
