You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.

Forum Discussion

Amy's avatar
Amy
Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
7 months ago

What’s new with Dropbox Backup

We’ve seen some threads from Community members about how you use Dropbox Backup and we are here with an update and some info you might like to know. The team saw your feedback and have changed some things, so keep reading to learn more about Dropbox Backup.  
 

Back up a computer with Dropbox Backup

 
With Dropbox Backup, you can select which computer files and folders you’d like to back up to the cloud. After the initial backup, any changes you make to files and folders on your computer will reflect in Dropbox Backup.
 
  1. Log in to dropbox.com.
  2. Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.
  3. Click Backup from the list that appears.
 

Back up an external hard drive with Dropbox Backup

 
Once you plug in your external hard drive and agree to back it up, your files will get backed up to Dropbox Backup. After your external hard drive files are backed up, you can access them from dropbox.com/backup/all.
 

What’s new with Dropbox Backup? 

 
Previously, Backup files were moved into your Dropbox account. Now, based on your feedback, your files will stay in the same place. This means that the updated version of Backup won’t allow you to access other computer backups from your Dropbox folder, they stay on your computer, but you can restore your device if it fails. 
 
Additionally, you can:
  • Rename your backups. You can customize the name of your device backup so you can distinguish between multiple backups.
  • Select any folder within your computer’s home folder to back up, including subfolders. You’re no longer limited to folders like "Documents", "Desktop", and "Downloads"
  • Schedule when your device backups occur. 
  • View progress of your backups. You can check the percentage of your backup progress to get more insight into your backup completion.
  • Make the most of more options to kick off your backup restoration—from either the web or your computer.
 
Thank you for your ongoing feedback! 
 
  • Pirx's avatar
    Pirx
    Helpful | Level 6
    6 months ago

    I am sorry, but I cannot see the capability you describe. I most definitely see no option to "Back up any folder on [my] device". I am still unable to pick any folder other than the ones from the standard set of Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, or Videos.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    6 months ago

    Hey Pirx - thanks for bringing this to our attention.


    Could you try these steps to update Dropbox Backup and let us know how it goes? 

    • Pirx's avatar
      Pirx
      Helpful | Level 6
      6 months ago
      1. I have tried this, numerous times, of course, but see #2
      2. Why would you ask me to try any steps whatsoever when you should know that the way I described Dropbox Backup to work is exactly the way it is currently implemented? Dropbox Backup will not allow users to select any folder outside the limited set of folders that has been mentioned before, and that's that. What is particularly galling about this is that, more than a year ago, there was a Beta version of Dropbox Backup that supported the user selecting any folder on their C: drive for backup, but this capability has been taken away.
      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        6 months ago

        Pirx, the capability that you mention is indeed available now with Dropbox Backup (the previous Backup beta), which is why Walter suggested those steps.

         

        Can you clarify the current syncing status and app version of your Dropbox app, so that we can troubleshoot further? Also, what’s the OS version of the device you’re using?

  • BenDBX's avatar
    BenDBX
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
    6 months ago

    Hi Pirx,

     

    Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have confirmed that the update to Backup allows backing up of all folders within your computer's home folder and corrected this information in the original post. We appreciate the feedback, and I have provided it to the relevant team.

     

    Regards,

    Ben

    • guhcampos's avatar
      guhcampos
      New member | Level 2
      5 months ago
      BenDBX wrote:

      Hi Pirx,

       

      Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have confirmed that the update to Backup allows backing up of all folders within your computer's home folder and corrected this information in the original post. We appreciate the feedback, and I have provided it to the relevant team.

       

      Regards,

      Ben

      No, it does not.

       

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