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Forum Discussion

brucekaiser's avatar
brucekaiser
Explorer | Level 4
5 months ago

How can I use Dropbox Backup to backup a folder located on my machine?

The Dropbox Backup overview says:

"Dropbox Backup lets you back up any file or folder on your computer or device to the cloud. ".

But the PC backup only allows specific folders to be selected.

How to I backup the folder "c:\ImportantFolder"?

What am I missing?

Thanks.

 

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    5 months ago

    Hi Bruce! If you’re only allowed to back up these specific folders, then you may not be using the updated version of Dropbox Backup just yet. 

     

    Can you please follow these steps and let me know what happens?

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi brucekaiser, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    Currently, only specific system folders can be backed up to the site, namely those in the Home folder, as mentioned here.

     

    It won't be possible to backup folders from any other location on your machine.

     

    If you have any further queries, feel free to message back.

    • brucekaiser's avatar
      brucekaiser
      Explorer | Level 4

      Thanks for the response.  It seems to me that the team should drop the continued reference to "all the folders in the Home folder".   The topic you referenced above, again says 

       

      • 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"

      But the dialog box shown specifically limits options to Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos.   I for one (and apparently others) have much more in our Home folder than these subdirectories (which may just be the default list).  See part of my Home folder here.

       

      Also, it refers to subfolders.   I have not found a way to select a sub-folder rather than the main folder (for example: Pictures\Folder1).  Am I misinterpreting this part as well?

       

      Thanks for the attention.  I like Dropbox Backup.

      Bruce

       

       

      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hi Bruce! If you’re only allowed to back up these specific folders, then you may not be using the updated version of Dropbox Backup just yet. 

         

        Can you please follow these steps and let me know what happens?

    • buzalli's avatar
      buzalli
      New member | Level 2

      What if the folder I want to backup is in another drive?

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        As Jay mentioned this won't be possible at this time buzalli 

         

        You can alternatively copy or move the folder you'd like to backup into your Dropbox folder and have it sync normally. 

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