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Forum Discussion
How to Sync Folder Structure and File Names to the Cloud While Keeping Files Offline
Hi everyone,
I’ve just got a new computer, and I’m trying to sync my folder structure and file names to the cloud (Dropbox Family). However, I want to make sure that most of the files stay in the cloud and don’t take up space on my local drive, except for the ones I specifically choose to keep offline.
Does anyone know how to achieve this? I’d appreciate any advice or tool recommendations that can help me with this setup.
Thanks in advance!
- Since they have the cloud icon, that’s good. The “downloading” status can be confusing, but in your scenario (you checked folders in selective sync) it means it is just downloading the metadata needed to create the local folder structure and file placeholders. So you’re good, no need to worry.
Hope this helps,
Andrew (DBoxTips)
- Hello tob145,
By default when setting up Dropbox on a new computer it should sync the folder structure and files within as “online-only”, so that you can browse the structure, but files stay online and don’t take up space on your local drive unless you open them or specifically make them available offline via the Dropbox context menu.
Are you seeing a different behavior?
Cheers,
Andrew (DBoxTips)Thanks for your kind reply. When I first installed Dropbox in my new computer, I selected which folders I wanted to sync using Selective Sync. Now, I see that all the files and folders are 'syncing' and 'downloading', but it seems that only the names, not the actual files/folders, are being synced. It also appears that they aren't occupying storage space, but I am not entirely sure. Am I explaining myself? Cheers.
