move contents of dropbox to external hard drive

how do I move contents of dropbox i.e my files and photos to an external hard drive thanks folks

FAQ

Sync

Rich
8 years ago
Do you have the Dropbox client installed on your computer? If so, then your files will be syncing to your computer. They'll be in the Dropbox folder. Just copy them to your external drive like you would any other file.

If you're not already syncing your files and you just use the Dropbox website, then you'll need to download your files and save them to your external drive. The easier method would be to install the Dropbox client, let it sync all of your files to your computer, uninstall the client, and then move the Dropbox folder to your external drive.
Jane
8 years ago
Hey @TominAZ,

Welcome to the Dropbox Community, let's look into that together!

Please keep in mind that as a rule of thumb we recommend choosing a location for the Dropbox folder on the same hard drive as your operating system, since Dropbox won't work correctly if the Dropbox folder becomes inaccessible, which can happen if it's located on an external drive that gets disconnected.

Should you decide to go per this option regardless, though, please follow these steps.

Of course, we’re always here if you need further assistance!

Warm regards,

JaneA

[mod edit 2023, updated Help Center link]

LIUTAURAS

New member | Level 2

If you want them to be synchronized parent folder should be created in your external drive

jayne

New member | Level 2

8 years ago

not synchronised as such , copied I meant - to another storage facility such as a external hard? I'm a newbie so not very techie
thanks

Rich
Super User II
8 years ago
Do you have the Dropbox client installed on your computer? If so, then your files will be syncing to your computer. They'll be in the Dropbox folder. Just copy them to your external drive like you would any other file.

If you're not already syncing your files and you just use the Dropbox website, then you'll need to download your files and save them to your external drive. The easier method would be to install the Dropbox client, let it sync all of your files to your computer, uninstall the client, and then move the Dropbox folder to your external drive.
- anarvaja
  New member | Level 2
  6 years ago
  This is fine. But it does not solve the problem. There should be a way to copy files directly from Dropbox to an external storage device (USB HDD for example) without the need to sync them to the local computer's HDD.
  Moreover, Dropbox should give users the possibility to sync their Dropbox files to an external drive directly, without intermediate steps.
  Thanks.
  - Walter
    Dropbox Staff
    6 years ago
    In this case, you could use the website (at https://www.dropbox.com) and change your browser's settings to point to your external hard drive anarvaja!
Sanchez
Dropbox Staff
8 years ago
Hey jayne, welcome to our forum!

Do you have our desktop application installed on your computer? If so, do you want to have your local Dropbox folder and keep another copy on an external hard drive?

Let me know, and we’ll take it from there.

Thanks!
- TominAZ
  New member | Level 2
  8 years ago
  No, I want to move Dropbox to an external drive off my very crowded hard drive, and I bought a 5T drive to do that. It is on the Dropbox cloud, so I don't need it on two drives at my house. ;)
  - Jane
    Dropbox Staff
    8 years ago
    Hey @TominAZ,
    
    Welcome to the Dropbox Community, let's look into that together!
    
    Please keep in mind that as a rule of thumb we recommend choosing a location for the Dropbox folder on the same hard drive as your operating system, since Dropbox won't work correctly if the Dropbox folder becomes inaccessible, which can happen if it's located on an external drive that gets disconnected.
    
    Should you decide to go per this option regardless, though, please follow these steps.
    
    Of course, we’re always here if you need further assistance!
    
    Warm regards,
    
    JaneA
    
    [mod edit 2023, updated Help Center link]
- JuliesHeart
  Explorer | Level 4
  7 years ago
  I would like to know how to keep dropbox on my laptop and have a copy on an external hard drive just incase something happens. I do not want to lose my designs. I want them saved permanently on my own external drive. Thank you for your help!
  - Sanchez
    Dropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    Hey JuliesHeart,
    
    So, you want to keep the Dropbox folder that’s syncing to your account, on your computer, and have another copy on your external hard drive? If this is the case, you’ll need to search for some backup software solution that will back up files from your computer to the external, automatically.
    
    Something to take note of: if your files are in your Dropbox, and “something happens”, we can help recover those files for you. We can restore previous versions, specific folders, and even your entire account. Most accounts have a 30-day limit on these types of recoveries, so if the need for recovery assistance ever arises, I suggest that you contact our support team asap!
    
    Cheers