Uploading large folder.

Question

Just have a question about uploading large folders. In the past, I've noticed that folders upload quicker when the contents of the folder are uploaded one by one. However, on Dropbox, it keeps trying to upload 2 files at the same time and it's taking forever because my network usage is split between the 2. Was wondering if there's a setting I've overlooked that limits Dropbox's multitasking ability to only upload one file at a time. Thank you!

Megan · Answer

Hey @smileyriley, thanks for the info.

I have to admit that 150GB is quite the size for the app to sync, but I also hear where you're coming from.

I'd suggest for future reference that you may add the first one, wait for it to sync and the proceed to the second file/folder.

As for the app being stuck: would you mind clarifying the app's version, and syncing status at the moment?

smileyriley · Answer

150GB is the rough folder size pretty much. I've uploaded the same files to Google Drive with no problem it's just one of the people I'm working with prefers Dropbox. On Google Drive, it uploaded them one by one and was finished within 12 hours. I started the upload on Dropbox almost a day ago and it's been stuck finalizing the same 2 files for about the past 3 hours. Idk it's annoying to me because the majority of the folder is uploaded to Dropbox, it's just taking way longer than it did for Google Drive to do and I reckon it's just because it's trying to upload two things at once. I've experienced similar problems with other programs while uploading 2 things at once but each program has had some sort of download and upload settings you can play around with to ensure only one thing uploads at a time (e.g. YouTube, Microsoft Teams, Gmail, Google Drive etc.)

Megan · Answer

Hey @smileyriley, welcome to our Communtiy!

To answer your question: no there is no such setting.

However, you need to keep in mind that file sync is a complicated process that includes more than just the transfer of the data.

Please keep in mind each file is divided and compressed into hashed components, transferred via secure data transfer, and then encrypted and stored on our servers. During an upload, the transfer speeds are also dependent upon how quickly your computer can process and compress the components of the files to make them available for upload.

When you say that it's taking forever to sync that content, would you mind clarifying the size of these folders/files, and how long they take to sync?

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!