How to get started with Selective Sync

[Amy]

Welcome to the Dropbox Community forum! We're thrilled to have you on board, and we want to make sure you get the most out of your Dropbox experience right from the start. Today, we're going to talk about Selective Sync. 

We’ll cover: 

• What is Selective Sync
• A video on using Selective Sync
• How to use Selective Sync

 

What is Selective Sync? 

Well, it’s a feature in the Dropbox desktop app that allows you to remove specific Dropbox folders from your hard drive so you can save space on your computer. The folders you choose to remove from your hard drive remain stored in your account on dropbox.com.

 

How to use Selective Sync:

Step 1: Open Your Dropbox Preferences

• On your computer, find the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
• Click on the Dropbox icon and then select the gear icon for preferences.

Step 2: Navigate to the "Sync" Tab

• In the Preferences window, click on the "Sync" tab.

Step 3: Choose Selective Sync

• Look for the "Selective Sync" option and click on it.

Step 4: Select the Folders You Want on Your Computer

• A window will pop up displaying all your Dropbox folders. Uncheck the boxes next to the folders you don't need on your computer.
• Click "Update" to save your changes.

That's it! Now you can save valuable space for things that matter most to you, and learn how other Dropbox features can improve your day too! Remember, if you ever change your mind or want to add more folders, you can always revisit the Selective Sync settings following the same steps.

We would love to share more tips to help you explore other Dropbox features, so don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions, and let us know if you have any requests! We’re here to help each other, so dive in, enjoy, and make the most of your Dropbox account. 

So, what do you want to see from us? Let us know! 

[GG325]

   

[GG325]

Thanks so much. I appreciate your help. How easy that was😊

[Здравко]

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@GG325 wrote:

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What does happen if you click on "Select  folders" button? 🤔 Does it match to the video? 🙂

[GG325]

 Here's what I get when I click on "Select folders". There are no folders to select though. I guess that I need to add folders to my dropbox folder to sync them.

[Здравко]

Yes, of course. Since your account is new one and there is no even one folder yet, that's why that panel is empty - there only folders appear.

By the way everything syncs by default (including folders - they will appear selected). If you want to remove some, you can deselect them, so will be available only in you web browser and no any local space engaged (no even as placeholders only). Whenever/if needed, you may select them back.

[GG325]

@Hannah , Here are the screenshots.

    

[Hannah]

Thanks for the screenshots, @GG325.

The app looks good to me, but as noted, it seems like you don't have any folders in your Dropbox folder to unsync through selective sync.

Other than that, everything looks normal to me and you're on the most recent version as well, so no need to worry at all!

[GG325]

@Hannah  Thanks so much for your help and for your patience with me as a newbie. I really do appreciate it bunches.

[Hannah]

Happy to help, @GG325!

Give us a shout, if you need anything else.