Sync Dropbox to External Hard Drive in 3 Simple Steps: The Ultimate Guide for Backup and Organization
What To Know
- Syncing Dropbox with an external hard drive is a great way to ensure you have a backup of your important files and access them from multiple devices.
- Dropbox will now start uploading files from the selected folder to your Dropbox account and downloading files from your Dropbox account to the external hard drive.
- If you make changes to a file on both your computer and the external hard drive, Dropbox will create a conflict file.
Syncing Dropbox with an external hard drive is a great way to ensure you have a backup of your important files and access them from multiple devices. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you achieve this seamlessly:
Understanding the Process
Before syncing Dropbox with an external hard drive, it’s essential to understand the process involved. Dropbox is a cloud storage service that stores your files online, while an external hard drive is a physical device that stores your files locally. Syncing allows you to create a two-way connection between these two storage locations, ensuring that changes made in one location are automatically reflected in the other.
Prerequisites
To sync Dropbox with an external hard drive, you’ll need the following:
- A Dropbox account
- An external hard drive formatted in a compatible file system (e.g., NTFS, FAT32)
- A computer with an internet connection
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Connect the External Hard Drive
Connect your external hard drive to your computer via a USB cable or other appropriate interface. Ensure the drive is recognized and accessible by your computer.
2. Enable Selective Sync
In the Dropbox desktop app, click on the gear icon in the top right corner and select “Preferences.” Under the “Account” tab, enable “Selective Sync.” This will allow you to choose which folders you want to sync to your computer.
3. Choose the Sync Folder
Once selective sync is enabled, click on the “Choose folders…” button. Navigate to the location on your external hard drive where you want to store your synced files. Select the folder and click “OK.”
4. Start Syncing
Click the “Start syncing” button to initiate the sync process. Dropbox will now start uploading files from the selected folder to your Dropbox account and downloading files from your Dropbox account to the external hard drive.
5. Monitor Sync Status
You can monitor the sync status by hovering over the Dropbox icon in the system tray. The icon will indicate the progress of the sync process.
Advanced Options
1. Smart Sync
Smart Sync is a feature in Dropbox that allows you to save space on your computer by keeping files online-only. When you enable Smart Sync, files that you don’t frequently access will be stored in the cloud and only downloaded when you need them.
2. File Conflict Resolution
If you make changes to a file on both your computer and the external hard drive, Dropbox will create a conflict file. You can manually resolve the conflict by choosing which version of the file you want to keep.
Troubleshooting
1. Sync Not Starting
Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and that the Dropbox desktop app is running. Check if your external hard drive is properly connected and recognized by your computer.
2. Slow Sync Speed
Slow sync speed can be caused by a large number of files being synced or a slow internet connection. Try syncing smaller batches of files or upgrading your internet plan.
3. Synced Files Not Appearing
If synced files are not appearing on your external hard drive, check if the selective sync feature is enabled and if the correct folder is selected. Ensure that the external hard drive has enough free space to accommodate the synced files.
Wrapping Up
Syncing Dropbox with an external hard drive provides an effective way to protect your data and access it from multiple devices. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can seamlessly achieve this and benefit from the convenience and peace of mind that comes with a reliable backup solution.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I sync Dropbox with multiple external hard drives?
Yes, you can sync Dropbox with multiple external hard drives. However, each external hard drive will require its own selective sync setup.
2. How do I prevent Dropbox from syncing certain files?
To prevent Dropbox from syncing certain files, right-click on the file and select “Properties.” Under the “Dropbox” tab, uncheck the “Sync this file” option.
3. What happens if I delete a file from my external hard drive?
If you delete a file from your external hard drive, it will also be deleted from your Dropbox account. However, you can restore the file from the Dropbox website or by contacting Dropbox support.
