I don't see an option to make my files online-only on my Windows desktop app

[chalizay]

Hello

I have just installed Dropbox v200.4.7134 on Windows 11 Pro 23H2. I have Dropbox Plus.

In the app preferences there is no Smart Sync option. My drive is smaller than my Dropbox space. I would have to go through hundreds of folders to sync what I need and to be able to view folder structures etc.

If I right click on a folder/file I can 'Make available offline' or 'Don't sync to Dropbox' - those are my only sync options

Dropbox system extension is set to ON

The Dropbox taskbar menu has a message ' please reinstall Dropbox to free up hard drive space' - I've done this and the message remains there

[Rich]

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@chalizay wrote:

In the app preferences there is no Smart Sync option.

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There is no option in Preferences called Smart Sync. What is it that you're looking for, specifically? There is an option on the Sync tab called How do you want to store new files? which allows you to specify that newly added files are synced to your computer as Online-only, if that's what you're looking for. This doesn't affect files already in your Dropbox folder, or files you add to Dropbox on that device. Only files that are syncing down.

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If I right click on a folder/file I can 'Make available offline' or 'Don't sync to Dropbox' - those are my only sync options

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The Make available offline and Make online-only ARE the options formerly known as Smart Sync.

[chalizay]

Thanks for your reply - seems like I have my terms muddled! 

I would like to be able to see all of my files and folders but to have them all online only to begin with.

There is an option on the Sync tab called How do you want to store new files? which allows you to specify that newly added files are synced to your computer as Online-only, if that's what you're looking for.

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I can't see this in my Preferences:

[Nancy]

Hope it’s OK to jump in, @chalizay. You mentioned previously that you see an option to make your files available offline, but not online-only. 

First off, can you try to download this app version instead? 

If the option doesn’t appear after that, and your Dropbox app is up to date, I’d like a screenshot of the syncing icons you see next to your files, once you open your local Dropbox folder.

[chalizay]

Thanks Nancy - that version is installed but nothing has really changed. Not sure if I should add that this is a company computer with a disproportionately high security set up.

Here's the menu options in my local folder:

[Nancy]

Oh I see, thanks for clarifying. As for the syncing icons, can you tell me if you see any at the moment next to your files or what do they look like? This is what they look like for reference.

[chalizay]

I don't have any sync icons appearing at all

[Nancy]

If you check the syncing status of your Dropbox app this way, what does it report?

[chalizay]

It says 'Your files are up to date'.

The files successfully sync/update when

1) I add a new folder to selective sync or

2) add a new file to a folder in my finder 

So sync is working in both directions

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Hi @chalizay, did you install the Dropbox desktop application with admin privileges, as you mentioned you have a company device with high security?