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Forum Discussion
I'd like utilize Dropbox as a backup however I have some syncing-specific questions.
Hello,
My goal was to use dropbox to backup the stuff on my computer, but need more clarification on how the syncing works. I'll list my questions below:
1. Can I upload a folder from my computer to dropbox, and then delete the folder from my computer without it also be deleted from dropbox? My goal is to use dropbox as a backup.
2. If folders are syncing between my computer and dropbox, and my laptop were to crash, would I lose all of the content in dropbox?
3. Is it possible to save content from my computer on dropbox without syncing, and still have it be visible on the dropbox on my computer?
Thanks in advance!
First, Dropbox isn't a backup solution and shouldn't be used as one. It's a file synchronization service, meant to keep a copy of files in sync across multiple devices. Anything you do to the files on one device happens on all of them. Yes, it has some backup-like functionality, but there are far better backup services out there. Many here have used CrashPlan.
1. Can I upload a folder from my computer to dropbox, and then delete the folder from my computer without it also be deleted from dropbox?Yes, if you use Selective Sync.
2. If folders are syncing between my computer and dropbox, and my laptop were to crash, would I lose all of the content in dropbox?If the laptop were to crash then Dropbox wouldn't be running, so it couldn't sync any changes. If, somehow, the crashed wasn't total, Dropbox remained running and files in your Dropbox folder were deleted or became corrupt, then Dropbox would sync those changes. In cases like that (which I've never seen an actual example of) you could always recover your files within 30 days.
3. Is it possible to save content from my computer on dropbox without syncingIf you're not syncing files to your computer, then you can upload files using the Dropbox website.
and still have it be visible on the dropbox on my computer?No.
- Rich
Super User II
First, Dropbox isn't a backup solution and shouldn't be used as one. It's a file synchronization service, meant to keep a copy of files in sync across multiple devices. Anything you do to the files on one device happens on all of them. Yes, it has some backup-like functionality, but there are far better backup services out there. Many here have used CrashPlan.
1. Can I upload a folder from my computer to dropbox, and then delete the folder from my computer without it also be deleted from dropbox?Yes, if you use Selective Sync.
2. If folders are syncing between my computer and dropbox, and my laptop were to crash, would I lose all of the content in dropbox?If the laptop were to crash then Dropbox wouldn't be running, so it couldn't sync any changes. If, somehow, the crashed wasn't total, Dropbox remained running and files in your Dropbox folder were deleted or became corrupt, then Dropbox would sync those changes. In cases like that (which I've never seen an actual example of) you could always recover your files within 30 days.
3. Is it possible to save content from my computer on dropbox without syncingIf you're not syncing files to your computer, then you can upload files using the Dropbox website.
and still have it be visible on the dropbox on my computer?No.
There is some conflicting information on the website. There is a long list of businesses, big and small, listed as using Dropbox as a "backup solution"
- MarkThat just states they use Dropbox Business as a tool, not backup.
However, I will reiterate what Rich said. Dropbox isnt designed, nor intended, to be a backup tool. Its a function it does really badly. Yes you can get data back within 30 days (or longer if you've paid for the add ons), but, human intervention is needed which can take a few days. No backup system should EVER work like that!
Been researching the backup part. It looks like Backblaze have some integration ability to use Dropbox as backup.
An even better option is Zinstall's FullBack; claims to be able to backup the entire computer including programs.
Evaluating their product now, will respond with results.
I've got local backups as well, one using Time Machine for versioning needs, and one using Carbon Copy Cloner for bootable backups for complete failure situations.
In such a case, does anyone foresee any negatives to using Dropbox with Arq for backups? Arq allows for selective backup of folders and files and backups up changes hourly. It keeps seperate hourly backups for a week, weekly backups for a month, and monthly backups for a year. Since those historical backups don't change then Dropbox has no reason to delete or change them if something goes wrong on the machine and the current backup gets currupted. As a bonus, Arq encrypts on my computer before transmitting. It's also got full restore features.
Does anyone smarter than me know any reason I shouldn't do this?
I need a cloud backup solution and a sync solution. I can't really afford both. Spider Oak One did all of it for me, but they recently had a massive failure with my sync folder, and then the app crashed. Now they're having connection issues with millions of people not being able to connect. I'm happy to have had local backups and will not be re-subscribing after years with them.
