Can I use the local DropBox folder as the default DOCUMENTS folder?


  1. KenY7744
    Posts : 77
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #1

    Can I use the local DropBox folder as the default DOCUMENTS folder?


    I have 3 Window PCs and I access many documents from all 3. One has Win10 and two have Win11.

    My DropBox capacity is about 18Gb. (I got extra space by referring other people to DropBox in its early days.) 18Gb is sufficient for my Documents folder.

    I have been using DropBox to back up my Documents folder, but it's at the mercy of my remembering to copy my Documents folder to the local DropBox folder on my PC.

    Would there be any problems if I relocated the default Windows Documents folders on all 3 PCs to the local DropBox folder? That would automatically sync my entire Documents folder to all 3 PCs local DropBox folders and remove my (sometimes-unreliable) memory from the backup strategy.

    Many thanks in advance.
    Ken
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,003
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    As I understand it you can automatically synch selected folders with Dropbox..
    How to use selective sync to choose folders - Dropbox Help

    How to Sync Files in Dropbox Automatically on Mac and Windows?[2023]


    For interest: from the searchable Tutorials section:
    How to Add or Remove Dropbox Context Menu in Windows
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  4. Hearsepilot
    Posts : 781
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #3

    As a backup i'd adopt that idea but would still keep local copies of current work in case the web ever 'goes down'
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  6. garlin
    Posts : 776
    Windows 7
       New #4

    But don't confuse syncing as a replacement for backups.

    Meaning if you make a mistake editing/deleting files, the cloud will happily sync your errors. Dropbox, OneDrive and some leading providers are great that you can go online, and rollback to the previous file version. A normal backup is better, because it's a specific point-in-time copy of the data.

    Cloud providers can do backups, but it's usually under one of their advanced (not free) service plans.
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  7. dalchina
    Posts : 43,003
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #5

    But don't confuse syncing as a replacement for backups.
    Very true..

    Here's one way to look at it .. the cloud (Dropbox) could be a convenient pool of shared documents which you can access from multiple PCs.

    Your local backup (e.g. regular disk imaging + any other data backup you like) stored safely offline is your secured backup.

    If your synched backup were versioned backup (i.e. several copies kept of changed files) that could be different.

    Whichever way you choose to go, consider the implications carefully, and how you would actually recover in different scenarios.
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  8. tecknot
    Posts : 140
    Dual boot Windows 10 Pro 22H2 (b 19045.4291) and Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (b 22631.3447 )
       New #6

    Hi KenY7744,

    I am not sure if this will work since I don't use Dropbox often, but if you go to Settings>System>Storage>Advanced storage settings>where new content is saved, you will find a list of different content and drop down lists of location to save your content. Now this is where I am not sure, but if you go to the 'New documents will save to' list you might find Dropbox as a location option. Try that and let us know (or me) if that works.
    Can I use the local DropBox folder as the default DOCUMENTS folder?-where-new-content-saved.png


    Kind regards,

    tecknot

    P.S. You might have to have Dropbox installed locally.

    - - - Updated - - -

    tecknot said:
    I am not sure if this will work since I don't use Dropbox often, but if you go to Settings>System>Storage>Advanced storage settings>where new content is saved....
    Hi again KenY7744,

    It just occurred to me that I posted my response while I was in my Windows 11 boot. The correct path in Windows 10 is Settings>Storage and under More storage settings you will find "Change where new content is saved". All the rest (except the pic) is the same.

    Kind regards,

    tecknot
      My Computer
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  9. KenY7744
    Posts : 77
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.

    I had to uninstall and reinstall the DropBox desktop application, but then I was able to set up the syncing for the folders I wanted.
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