You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
How can I completely disable Smart Sync?
How can I completely, 100%, disable Smart Sync so that Dropbox will always download all of my files?
The settings I have found all apply to NEW files and seem to have no impact on old files.
What...
Hey there Whatever2018 - how are you today?
I'm sorry to hear you would like to opt out of Smart Sync. Depending on the account you're on now you can do it following the steps mentioned below:
Individuals that no longer wish to use Smart Sync can do so with the steps found in the following Help Center article:
https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/filesystem-integration#optoutIf you're the Admin of a Dropbox for Business team and you'd like to opt all members of your Dropbox Business team out of Smart Sync, I'd also suggest to see the following Help Center article specifically under the section "Dropbox Business team admins: how to opt out your whole team from the system extension":
https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/filesystem-integration#optout
Also note that some of your team members may have connected a work and personal account. If you opt out your team from the system extension, team members won't be able to use Smart Sync on any personal devices (or personal accounts) where they're also signed in to their Business account.
I hope this information helps and please keep me posted on your progress!
Walter
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey there Whatever2018 - how are you today?
I'm sorry to hear you would like to opt out of Smart Sync. Depending on the account you're on now you can do it following the steps mentioned below:
Individuals that no longer wish to use Smart Sync can do so with the steps found in the following Help Center article:
https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/filesystem-integration#optoutIf you're the Admin of a Dropbox for Business team and you'd like to opt all members of your Dropbox Business team out of Smart Sync, I'd also suggest to see the following Help Center article specifically under the section "Dropbox Business team admins: how to opt out your whole team from the system extension":
https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/filesystem-integration#optout
Also note that some of your team members may have connected a work and personal account. If you opt out your team from the system extension, team members won't be able to use Smart Sync on any personal devices (or personal accounts) where they're also signed in to their Business account.
I hope this information helps and please keep me posted on your progress!
None of this works at all. Users really ought to have the choice to switch smart sync on or off but this seems impossible. I have "normal" dropbox on other devices but when I upgraded the SDD on this Macbook Air I am on, suddenly the nonsense Smartsync was on and I cannot find a way to switch it off. Time to move to OneDrive, amazing how a startup like Dropbox can drive its customers away. Clowns!
I couldn't agree more. "Smart" Sync is absolutely stupid! Very bad job, Dropbox!
Couldn't agree more. An appalling feature. Unwanted and a nightmare to get round. Completely idiotic.
- Walter
Sorry to hear you feel this way Seager1.
If you would prefer not to use Smart Sync, then you can do so by setting your default sync preferences for new content to "local" and by recalling any files that are currently "online only".
For instructions on syncing online-only content and choosing the default setting for new content, please see the following Help Center article:
https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/smart-sync
If there are any issues with this process please don’t hesitate to reach back out with screenshots depicting the problem at hand and I'll be more than happy to follow up.
I feel that way too. This change sucks for existing users. I have to now figure out how to get thousands of files to download to my PC as I expected they would. Terrible way to treat existing users. I'll be looking for alternate services.
The instructions to OPT OUT do work ----- But my concern is that they (DB) may automatically turn is on.
Afterall this "enhancement" was installed w/o telling us that it is on and we have to manually turn it off. Another "enhancement" we didn't ask for nor want!
They just don't care about the customer base or ask our opinions. "They thinl they are our government & they know better. Same results!
I randomly check to make sure the "extension" optiion remains OFF. What a time consuming nightmare after I found they turned it on W/O telling me / us.
I suggested they survey the users asking who - if any - actually understand & use this useless option.
Since they don't seem to ever listen to anything this community mentions, they probably will also ignore this comment.
- Daphne
Hey peeps, just dropping in here for an update.
If you have turned off the system extension JB M.2, then it shouldn't be turned back on again by Dropbox without your input.
If you notice this occur again, then please don't hesitate to reach back out to me here and I'd be happy to look into this in more detail with you.
We do our best to monitor all the comments and feedback that we receive here on the Community, whether it's positive or negative.
I'm only a post away if anyone has any questions about this.
Thanks!
what a nightmare this is. i have disabled the system extension and it still isnt loading my files. HELLLLLLLLLPPPPPPP
- Walter
Hi bondzinho; sorry to hear that and I'll be glad to help look into this.
Can you forward me a screenshot of the desktop app's status as shown within your computer's system tray/menu bar and another one of the content of your Dropbox folder just to check the syncing icons on your files?
Thanks!
Why doesn't DB query all of us and ask WHO ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDS & USES THIS TERRIBLE OPTION. When you find out that NOONE does REMOVE IT FROM THE SYSTEM. Selective sync is all anyone needs!
This Smart Sync (better known a [profanity removed as per Community Guidelines] SYNC) Feature SUCKS BIG TIME.
Dropbox has been working well so far, until they introduce [profanity removed] SYNC!
Get this [profanity removed] out!
I used to have about a 90% trust in Dropbox doing what I wanted/expected. This trust is lower than 50% right now and I'm gradually moving-over (parallel data storage) to OneDrive... and OneDrive has never been a favourite of mine.
