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Want to use Dropbox on Windows 11 without local files.

I have a small SSD on my new laptop, I don't want to carry around an external drive, and 95% on the time I am online with internet access. I just want to use dropbox like the mobile app lets me, rather than the web interface. I have been unable to find a solution on the web.

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Megan

Hey there, @Gord1, let's see if we can figure out a solution to this!

The first thing that popped to mind was: selective sync.

Selective sync allows you to control which files and folders are being synced with your computer, and remove the ones you don't need available.

Another thing would be Dropbox for Windows is S mode which works almost identically to the way the mobile app does.

Feel free to take a look at the articles, and let me know if you have any questions!

Gord1

Dropbox for Windows in S mode is exactly what I want, but I took my computer out of S mode. Is there a way to install this app without running windows in S mode?

Megan

Hi @Gord1, thanks for your rather speedy response!

I'm afraid, no. The device should be in S mode, in order for you to use the Lite Dropbox app version.

Otherwise, you'd need to use our standard stable desktop app Windows version.

I hope this clarifies!

Gord1

So, I still had the Microsoft store installed, and was able to download and install the app.

Specifically I would like to have a virtual drive mapped to my Dropbox drive online. This app does not appear to support this functionality. I also have OneDrive from Microsoft and it supports this seamlessly. The "Lite" version of dropbox doesn't appear to give me any more functionality than the web site does.

Megan

Hi @Gord1, in regards to the virtual drive being mapped to your account online, it's true that we currently don't have such feature.

You might be able to find third-party apps, or ways if you search online, but it's not something we can officially guide you with.

As for the S mode app, it's definitely more limited that our stable version indeed. Is there a specific feature or functionality you're referring to, or that you'd like to see there?

Gord1

I am looking for exactly the same functionality that OneDrive from Microsoft provides. Being able to use “save as”, and navigate to a Dropbox folder to save file, or after opening a file click save and have it saved back to the web.

Jay

Hi @Gord1, if you're on a paid plan, you can install the normal Dropbox desktop application, and mark files as online-only so that they don't take up any space on your computer.

Gord1

I did try installing the full app, I didn’t see a step where you could do this, do you have documentation that outlines the install process without adding any files to my hard drive?

Hannah

Hey @Gord1, after the installation and during the sign-in process, the app should ask you if you want to sync your files as 'online-only' or 'available offline'.

You can choose the first and your files will sync as placeholders, with no physical space.

I hope this helps.

Gord1

Very first question it asks is “Your personal Dropbox is too large to fit on this computer”

two options

1) choose folders to Sync

2) Sync everything

Gord1

I selected 2) Sync everything (which is not intuitive for what I wanted!

Then I selected Advanced and made sure the check box indicating offline files.

It should not be as hard as it was for a user to find this process. Surely you have other users who have small local hard drives than want to use files offline.

Please write a support article that provides the required steps to install Dropbox and use it completely online only with no local storage.

Hannah

Thanks for your feedback on this, @Gord1.

I've made sure to pass it on to the team.

I'm glad you were also able to figure things out and sync your files they way you wanted.

If you need anything else, let us know.