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Forum Discussion
How to permanently stop the auto-backup of USB connected temp drives (W7)
How can I permanently configure DropBox to NOT try and backup every single USB drive I connect to the computer and thus depositing its little .dropbox.device file into the root folder without permiss...
Megan
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey Dibrom, thanks for the screenshots!
Since you've unchecked the "external drive backups" box, do you still receive the message when connecting a drive?
Since you've unchecked the "external drive backups" box, do you still receive the message when connecting a drive?
No I don't, but that's not what is causing problems. Whenever a portable USB drive is connected (of which I have a very great many), Dropbox looks at it immediately upon connection and deposits its little .dropbox.device configuration analysis file into the root directory which sometimes causes file system corruption forcing a file system check to clear the lost chains that result. This is highly annoying, unnecessary and irritating. I want it to stop doing this so it doesn't permanently damage my drives.
Do I presume from the lack of response that Dropbox know about this annoying behaviour with USB connected drives and have no intention of allowing it to be stopped?
- MeganHi Dibrom!
Your feedback regarding this has been very valuable and I will endeavor to make sure your voice is heard.
I will pass on your comments to the relevant departments since your needs are our priority.
Your comments on our external hard drive have been quite helpful, and I will do everything I can to ensure that your voice is heard.
If you need anything, I'm here.So that's a firm NO then? There is no way currently to stop the Dropbox app from doing this everytime a new USB drive is connected? Not even a registry key or a hidden backdoor switch that will disable the interference with connected USB drives?
Until Dropbox decides to provide a way for the user to stop it attacking temporarily connected USB drives, I have found that dropping a zero byte file called .dropbox.device into the root folder of the drive does trick Dropbox into thinking its own POS file is already there and thus stops it recreating its own. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
