Mapping Dropbox to network drive in Windows 7

[Peter C.3]

I want to map Dropbox to a network drive and link to my Dropbox in the cloud versus the Dropbox on my computer. I want to conserve my hard drive space and access, open, and save files to my Dropbox through my network drive. I can do this with other cloud-based storage systems. Can I do this with Dropbox?

[Robert S.]

Sorry, Dropbox isn't supported on network drives.

https://help.dropbox.com/desktop-web/move-dropbox-folder

[Peter C.3]

I'm not trying to put Dropbox on a network drive. I'm trying to have a virtual drive on my PC point to Dropbox in the cloud so I don't take up space on my hard drive.

[Robert S.]

It won't work, Dropbox doesn't support symlinks.

[Andrew T.33]

I have a similar concern---was there any solution to this application?

I'd like to map a network drive on my PC that accesses my dropbox so I have access to the files when connected to the internet, but do not necessarily have to have them permanently downloaded to my PC. This becomes critical when as my drobox size exceeds that of my hard drive.

[Brett G.2]

I bought a new laptop with a smaller HD because I thought I would be able to do this too. I appreciate Dropbox automagically syncing files between my PCs - which have plenty of hard drive space to spare, but my laptop does not have this luxury.

I don't want to use selective sync because that will only allow me to view the specific folders/files.

Most simply stated, can Dropbox on my laptop act the same as Dropbox on my phone or tablet?

[Rich · Accepted solution]

No, it can't. The normal Dropbox client does not work the same as the mobile clients, and there's no way to map a virtual drive or folder to your Dropbox account.

If you're running Windows 8 or 10, you can install the Dropbox app from the Microsoft Store, which is a mobile client. Just know that you will not be able to access any files while offline (unless they are marked as a favorite/available offline).

[Brett G.2]

Rich, thank you for the reply. I am running on a Surface, so your suggestion for the Microsoft Store app is a great suggestion that I will try later today.

[Joe S.65]

Are there any plans to use Dropbox as a mapped drive? 

Not being able to map a network drive limits the functionality of Dropbox as a cloud storage solution.

[Robert S.]

Are there any plans to use Dropbox as a mapped drive? 

Dropbox don't publish their product roadmap, but as they're pretty clear it isn't supported I doubt it.