The Community is undergoing a major upgrade. Find out more, ask us questions or share your thoughts here.
Forum Discussion
Need more info on the Dropbox Backup feature
I'm currently on the free (Basic) plan, so don't have access to some of the features I'm asking about... I couldn't find answers to these questions on Dropbox.com, so if anyone has a link I'd appreciate it! From reading about Dropbox Backup, I may use that, but am primarily interested in my main working Dropbox folder. I can't tell whether it's required or not.
My day-to-day project files are kept in my Dropbox folder. I would be accessing them from a few different computers.
Currently, under Dropbox > Preferences > Manage backups, I only see options to back up "User-Level" folders, not subfolders:
Basically, for paid plans, I am trying to find out:
1) How is my main Dropbox folder backed up?
2) What options do we have regarding manual and scheduled backups? (& Where can I find this info on dropbox.com?)
3) If I need to retrieve a file or folder from backup, how does this work? Trying to find instructions/screenshots.
4) Does the backup use plan storage?
Thanks!
Hi andrewnj,
In advance, let me notice that the Dropbox Backup feature is a piece of speculation in its name. This 'backup' just makes sure you can safely move (safely to some extent) your user level folders, you marked, into Dropbox folder, so they can get in syn to the Dropbox server. That's it - not so much more. Dropbox applications allow sync (and manipulation in general) only to Dropbox folder content, nothing outside.
1) So I think your first question doesn't need more discussion. 🙂 In spite I will notice, again, that Dropbox folder, and all its content, is always kept in sync and doesn't need anything additional, including Backup (lets recall - Backup just makes sure the things get in sync).
2) Nothing supported yet. Of course you can always turn the application on and off, so you're controlling are the things are going sync or not.
3) You can just download whatever you want, if something goes wrong on particular machine, on another machine where you want. That's it.
4) In general, Yes. Only some plans may introduce additional space, but if nothing mentioned in your subscription condition general space is in use.
Hope this helps.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi andrewnj, thanks for messaging the Community!
Thanks for the interest in the Dropbox Backup feature. Here are the answers to your queries:
- The Dropbox folder remains the same as it was before, in the same location
- There are no manual or scheduled backups. The backup is automatic when using the computer backup, and when edits are made, it syncs within seconds. With the external drive backup, after the first initial sync, the sync would be once every hour.
- You can access your backup from the site and download files manually from there.
- The Backup does use your quota. If you get the option for the Dropbox Backup plan, you can backup one computer and one external drive, and have as much space as you need to backup your computer and external drive.
If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.
Hi Jay,
It appears that my Work account isn't showing the Dropbox functionality properly.
I can't get through chat because it isn't recognizing my work account.
I've emailed but haven't had a response yet.
thanks
