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Forum Discussion
Daniel K.61
10 years agoNew member | Level 1
Error downloading folder through web client
I'm trying to download a large folder through the web client. After I click download I'm prompted to save a small file called unspecified.htm, which saves and then nothing else happens. I'm sure I've used this feature successfully before. Any idea what's happening?
I've tried both download methods - click the folder and click download at the top, and right click. I can download individual files successfully.
Tried Mozilla Firefox & Chrome, Windows 10.
You cannot download over 1gb of data via the browser. You have to download the Dropbox "application".
See link: https://help.dropbox.com/desktop-web/download-entire-folders
- Simon S.11New member | Level 1
Infuriatingly, I have one folder that gives me an 'unspecified' download, amongst half a dozen others that all downloaded correctly!
The errant folder just contains a couple of dozen images. I do not believe it exceeds any size limits. But as DropBox doesn't tell me the filesizes I have no convenient way to tell.
Colour me unimpressed as well.
- SwanCobbCollaborator | Level 10
I was on iCloud downloading 3,500 photos. Looks like you can download multiples if you allow it. This works for me in Chrome. Perhaps Dropbox could do something similar... It is a bit of mess trying to download that many files, but it seems to be technically possible at least using the Chrome browser. Here's a video snippet of how it works in action:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d1s3cbuccm505g5/160418-09-00-smaller.mp4?dl=0
- Farrah V.New member | Level 1
I am operating on a macbook air. Looks like I am experiencing the same problem when using firefox and safari. I even tried downloading the dropbox app. Nothing. But I noticed that downloading the folder will not work and I will get the "unspecified" download instead of a zip folder. Did not work on both browsers. So I tried just downloading the files in my folders by using the shift key to select my files. IT WORKED with Safari, BUT not with Firefox. I actually got a zip file with Safari, but the "unspecified" file again with Firefox. Maybe if will work for you who are operating off the same system.
ALSO, it all depends on the file size too. IF THE FILE/FOLDER IS TOO LARGE it will not zip the folder or files. Not sure why this should be an issue when it compresses the files anyways. I have also noticed that if I try to download a lot of files it wont zip and I will get the "unspecified". But when I broke up the files it would zip. That could be another reason why it won't work.
- Rich
Super User II
IF THE FILE/FOLDER IS TOO LARGE it will not zip the folder or files. ... I have also noticed that if I try to download a lot of files it wont zip and I will get the "unspecified".
The limits are 1GB in size or 10,000 files.
- Ben M.19New member | Level 1
So there seems to be still no valid solution or workaround unless you want to spend a lot of time messing around, for doing what I understood was the whole point of paying for Dropbox - easy access and secure storage. What a joke!
- stephenhartleyNew member | Level 2
Ben M.19 wrote:the whole point of paying for Dropbox - easy access and secure storage.
If you need "secure" storage, there are better options on the market, especially those that employ "zero-knowledge" encryption, which might suit your use case better...
- Info M.1Explorer | Level 4
Hi Stephen, can you advice some? I would divide risk between more of them.. Best would be if I can share dorpbox to them :-)
- George B.11New member | Level 1
Wholly unacceptable. Appears to be a tactic to ensure you don't move away from Dropbox. Type of crippleware. Probably works in retaining large % of customers who simply give up. Not for me though, once I have my photos downloaded I will not be returning to Dropbox
- Hieu N.5New member | Level 1
Can't download all files at once? Wow DropBox sucks.
- SwanCobbCollaborator | Level 10
Some of you may be interested to know Dropbox is working on placeholders. Your files will appear on your local drive with a green Dropbox checkbox and a cloud icon if it is only in the Cloud but not locally. You just need to open the file(s) to bring them down locally. This should take care of the specific issue in a roundabout way. You may still not be able to download via the web interface, but will be possible to mass download with the desktop client.
- Robbert R.New member | Level 1
Dmn. I've been using Dropbox for several automated WordPress backups, but these installations are typically always more than 10.000 files. Syncing everything locally does indeed take multiple, multiple days... I've always experienced the local syncing to work fine if you have not too many and larger files. But for lots of small files it simply doesn't work. And now this...
- wert t.New member | Level 1
Same here, this issue has been here for weeks now, how the hell can it not be fixed yet??? Do they not want us to be able to download our stuff from DB so we can move to some beter service or what?
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