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Forum Discussion
Choosing where Dropbox folder should be.
Until 2 weeks ago, I was running Windows 10 and I had placed my Dropbox folder on an external hard drive. I've switched to using Ubuntu and I want to resume using Dropbox. I'm going to follow the instructions at this link:
https://linoxide.com/linux-how-to/install-dropbox-ubuntu/
The only potential problem I see is that this method will place the Dropbox folder on my internal hard disk, where there is not enough space. I'm assuming that once Dropbox is running, it will begin cloning its folder from your cloud to my internal hard disk.
So, two questions:
1) If I can quickly interrupt the synch process and tell Dropbox that it already has a folder (on the EXTERNAL HD), will it recognize that folder or attempt to recreate it somehow? The external HD is NTFS and Ubuntu has no problem accessing files there.
2) Is there a better way to do the installation which avoids these issues?
I have made two complete copies of my Dropbox folder and they're stored on separate media until this mystery is solved. And, I'm using a dual boot setup, so I can return to Windows 10 in case this migration requires tweaking something in the Dropbox app on Win10.
Edit: If all factors were the same as above, but I had bought a new computer running Windows 10, would a new Dropbox installation "honor" its folder on the external HD, or would it try to replace it somehow?
Hi Doug K., thanks for posting on the Community!
The first issue you’ll experience is that the Dropbox desktop application on Linux can’t have a Dropbox folder on a drive formatted in NTFS, only Windows devices can have that option. You'll need to have the folder on a compatible file system for Linux.
Generally, we recommend against placing the Dropbox folder on an external drive as it can result in unexpected behavior when the drive is missing or disconnected, including performance issues, and even deleted files.
Hope this helps to clarify matters!
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi Doug K., thanks for posting on the Community!
The first issue you’ll experience is that the Dropbox desktop application on Linux can’t have a Dropbox folder on a drive formatted in NTFS, only Windows devices can have that option. You'll need to have the folder on a compatible file system for Linux.
Generally, we recommend against placing the Dropbox folder on an external drive as it can result in unexpected behavior when the drive is missing or disconnected, including performance issues, and even deleted files.
Hope this helps to clarify matters!
Hi!
I have Dropbox installed on the C-drive, which is soon running out of space. I'm thinking of moving the folder to the D-drive.
Can I move the hole dropbox-folder to the D-drive and use Dropbox as normal (and excpect the program to syncronize in the D-drive)?
Or do I have to uninstall Dropbox, delete everything, install Dropbox on the D-drive and then syncronize the files?
Regardings,
E
Elias:
I've had my Dropbox folder on an external HDD for a few years without any problems. Just keep in mind that if your external disk is unplugged, you'll get complaints from the program, as expected. As far as actually moving the folder, there's an option in Preferences where you can choose its location, like the external disk in your case. It could take a very long time for all those files to transfer, so you'd better make absolutely sure that your computer won't go into sleep or hibernate mode.
-D
Thank you, Jay.
