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Forum Discussion

TimP's avatar
TimP
Helpful | Level 5
6 years ago

What's the best way to back up the Dropbox folder if I don't have enough space to sync all files?

Hello, I'm using Dropbox Business with Smart Sync. I would like to brckup my entire dropbox to an external hardware (alternative ideas welcome). According to Dropbox support I would have to: ...
Desktop
dropbox business
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  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    6 years ago
    I appreciate it that you circled back to us here Tim (TimP), let me clarify matters in a bit more detail for you below!
     
    I simply don't have enough space. I was hoping there is a way to download the entire content from the website.
     
    Please bear in mind that by suggesting the Dropbox folder move to your external hard drive, I meant the remaining folder after unlinking (which is just a simple folder as any other on your OS). This essentially implies that if you had chosen to exclude any of your content from syncing to your desktop, this will also be eliminated when you move files/ folder from your internal to your external drive. If you decide to follow my advice, it will be the same as if you downloaded your content in smaller chunks (i.e. via the website). 
     
    In other words, you can sync your files to your desktop utilizing Selective Sync; once you get all folder structures you’d need to backup fully synced, you can unlink & then safely move the folders to your external hard drive to back them up. 
     
    From there, you can re-install the desktop application anew changing the Selective Sync settings in order to get going with the second backup batch &c. 
     
    I hope that this illustrates my point a bit more clearly; please let me know if you have any follow-up questions! 
TimP's avatar
TimP
Helpful | Level 5

Thanks for your reply.

Yes I understand that in order to copy them to another drive they would have to be local. I simply don't have enough space. I was hoping there is a way to download the entire content from the website. I'm not sure why that doesn't work and would have to be in badges.

At this point I guess there is no (safe) way to backup the dropbox. If anyone has ever backed up their dropbox and / or if there is a feature  / way that is designed to do so (could be another software solution) please let me know.

Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
6 years ago
I appreciate it that you circled back to us here Tim (TimP), let me clarify matters in a bit more detail for you below!
 
I simply don't have enough space. I was hoping there is a way to download the entire content from the website.
 
Please bear in mind that by suggesting the Dropbox folder move to your external hard drive, I meant the remaining folder after unlinking (which is just a simple folder as any other on your OS). This essentially implies that if you had chosen to exclude any of your content from syncing to your desktop, this will also be eliminated when you move files/ folder from your internal to your external drive. If you decide to follow my advice, it will be the same as if you downloaded your content in smaller chunks (i.e. via the website). 
 
In other words, you can sync your files to your desktop utilizing Selective Sync; once you get all folder structures you’d need to backup fully synced, you can unlink & then safely move the folders to your external hard drive to back them up. 
 
From there, you can re-install the desktop application anew changing the Selective Sync settings in order to get going with the second backup batch &c. 
 
I hope that this illustrates my point a bit more clearly; please let me know if you have any follow-up questions! 
  • michelemx's avatar
    michelemx
    New member | Level 2
    5 years ago

    HI Jane,

    Ive read your suggestions re backing up Dropbox but have some further questions.

    My current Dropbox is approximately 450gb (out of 2 TB).  I recently bought a new laptop with 500 gb hard drive.  On my new laptop I have installed Dropbox but all files are set to online as I dont want to fill up my new laptop. I have a 5TB external hard drive that I would like to use to back up my Dropbox files. I also would like to synch my drop box with the HDD as I work.

    Is this possible? 

    all the best,

    Michele

      • Etienne2's avatar
        Etienne2
        Helpful | Level 6
        5 years ago
        Hello,
        You Said you can « move » your Dropbox to an external Hard Drive.
        But can you just « copy » it to an external hard drive, to do a complete backup for exemple?
        Thank’s for your help.

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