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Forum Discussion
How to mirror local files using Dropbox?
Hey everyone,
I'm scouting the internet about something I've tried and google in different languages. Unfortunately, I don't get a 100% answer, so my question is... How can I synchronize the whole computer with all your "computers"?
IOW. How to mirror your computer with a laptop, or even two computers?
I am talking about a way that I can sync all my files inside Documents, Desktop, Music, Pictures, Downloads etc. to all devices/machines.
- FYI. The idea struck me to create a folder inside Dropbox (can be called, for example, "ALL") that has stored all aliases/shortcuts to files that are already inside the entire dropbox. But that makes it difficult to sync all local files.
I have also considered using the backup method, but can I sync a backup between two computers with that option? Or is that option only for security backup?
It would have been great if I could download a file on the work computer in f.ex the "Downloads" folder, and then go home and find the same file fully downloaded in the "Downloads" folder.
I don't know if I have explained the "problem" comprehensibly enough, but I would be very happy to hear you guys thoughts and maybe even solution to what I'm trying to do here 🙂
Hope to hear from you, and thank you in advance for any possible answers in a direction that might help 🙂
Wish you all a great morning/evening!
Delegado Cero wrote:
How can I synchronize the whole computer with all your "computers"?
Simply put, you can't, at least not in the way you're describing it.
You could enable the backup feature which would move your key folders (Desktop, Documents, etc.) into Dropbox so they sync, but they will only sync for that computer. If you set up that same process on another computer, the folders from the second computer would sync separately from the first. In other words, you can't use Dropbox to sync your key folders across multiple computers.
Your best option is to create your own folders within Dropbox for your Documents, Pictures, Music, etc., and move all of the files from your various computers into the appropriate folder, and then access them directly from within Dropbox. This way the folders will sync and appear on all the computers linked to your account.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi Delegado Cero, thanks for messaging the Community!
Long story short, it won't be possible to do what you're asking with the Dropbox service. Any kind of alias or shortcut wouldn't translate to those folders being backed up on the site, or to another device.
The Dropbox Backup feature is a one-way backup to the site for each device, and those backups can't be synced into the Documents, Downloads and Desktop of another device.
If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.
Thanks for the feedback Jay!
- Rich
Super User II
Delegado Cero wrote:
How can I synchronize the whole computer with all your "computers"?
Simply put, you can't, at least not in the way you're describing it.
You could enable the backup feature which would move your key folders (Desktop, Documents, etc.) into Dropbox so they sync, but they will only sync for that computer. If you set up that same process on another computer, the folders from the second computer would sync separately from the first. In other words, you can't use Dropbox to sync your key folders across multiple computers.
Your best option is to create your own folders within Dropbox for your Documents, Pictures, Music, etc., and move all of the files from your various computers into the appropriate folder, and then access them directly from within Dropbox. This way the folders will sync and appear on all the computers linked to your account.
Thanks Rich!
I've will try it out, and I also saw that Apple got their own solution of syncing Desktop and Documents folder.
Prefer Dropbox better since they got a better "sync flow" than Apple and Google.
