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Forum Discussion

WendyNield's avatar
WendyNield
Helpful | Level 5
5 years ago

Suddenly, I can't open my online-only Smart Sync files

I have been using Dropbox without issue for years, and Smart Sync seamlessly since December. Suddenly today, when I go to open files from a folder that I have not used in months, I am getting an erro...
Desktop
Error Messages
Selective sync
Sync
  • WendyNield's avatar
    WendyNield
    5 years ago

    Doh! That was the problem! I had forgotten that I was using Smart Sync AND Selective sync. Ok. Is there a way to change the sync status of a folder without going into Dropbox preferences? It seems like there must be an easier way that how I've been doing it.

     

    Thanks!

    Wendy

monierich1's avatar
monierich1
New member | Level 2
5 years ago

I am having the same issue. I noticed it last week as well.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    5 years ago

    Hi monierich1; thanks for joining our discussion and welcome to our Community!

     

    Let me give you some additional context about this as I think this might help. 

     

    When using selective sync, and choosing to sync a folder you had previously excluded on the desktop client, you may notice the files appearing with a grey cloud icon beside them. This means that the files are ‘online-only’. You can see and interact with these files as normal, but they take up practically no space on your computer.

     

    Through our Smart Sync feature you now have greater control and can sync only the folders or files you need by right clicking, choosing Smart Sync and then selecting 'Local'. This helps optimize your hard disk usage.

     

    Once we have returned these 'online-only' files/folders through Selective Sync you can now see the files and folders and then proceed with re-downloading only the content you need and want.

     

    I hope this clarifies matters and I'm just a post away if you have any more questions!

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