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Some "Available offline" files become online-only on their own, on my Windows device.

Hello,

I am using a Windows operating system and have set my "Dropbox" folder to be "Available Offline".

Initially, all the files were successfully downloaded to my computer, allowing me to access them offline as needed.

However, I have encountered a problem where files lose their "Available Offline" status after someone else (another user sharing the Dropbox folder with me) replaces a file with a new one of the same name from their computer into our shared Dropbox folder.

This issue necessitates me to click on the file every time to prompt it to download to my computer.

It seems that the act of file replacement is causing the files to no longer be recognized as available offline.

(I have checked the synchronization settings, verified folder permissions, and ensured that both the Dropbox Desktop application and my operating system are up to date.).

Could you kindly provide guidance on how to resolve this issue?

Thank you for your attention to this concern.

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Megan

Hey there, @mouwe5, thanks for posting here!

You mentioned you're using a Windows device. Would you mind clarifying the device's OS, along with the Dropbox version.

You should be able to find the Dropbox version you're using, by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon, on your task bar next to your WiFi.

Also, one small clarification: when you say that you're sharing the Dropbox folder with another user, do you mean that you're sharing a folder using these steps, or sharing the account's credentials?

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!

mouwe5

Thank for the fast responding!

We all using windows 10-11, with dropbox version 194.4.6267.

We are sharing credentials.

To provide further clarity, allow me to elaborate on the scenario:

We have an external client who shares a folder with us via folder sharing, rather than user privilege sharing. This shared folder is designated as "Available offline." When the external client edits a file within this shared Dropbox folder, the changes are automatically synced to my computer, and the file is downloaded without any issues.

However, complications arise when one of our employees, who shares the same user privileges with me, moves the edited file from its original location to another folder. This destination folder is also set to "Available offline." In this case, the file fails to synchronize on my end, and it isn't automatically downloaded to my computer.

It appears that files edited directly within the Dropbox folder are synchronized and downloaded automatically. Conversely, files that were originally available offline and are subsequently "replaced" or moved within the shared Dropbox folder do not trigger an automatic download on my computer.

Tom

Hannah

Hey @mouwe5, thanks for the additional info.

Do files sync to your computer as normal in general?

What's the app's exact sync status, when you hover over the Dropbox icon?

DBoxTips

Hello Tom,

In Dropbox preferences under the "Sync" tab:

- Is "Save hard drive space automatically" set to "Off"?

- Is "New files default" set to "Available offline"?

Thanks,

Andrew (DBoxTips)

mouwe5

Yes, all the other files sync normaly.

exact sync status: "Up to date"

mouwe5

there is no "Save hard drive space automatically".

under sync-> Storage of new files: i choose "Available Offline"

Hannah

And do you see the same behavior, if the move is done both through the desktop app and the Dropbox website website?

Does it affect all file types (.docx, .pdf, .jpg etc.) or specific ones?

mouwe5

@Hannah wrote:
And do you see the same behavior, if the move is done both through the desktop app and the Dropbox website website?

Does it affect all file types (.docx, .pdf, .jpg etc.) or specific ones?

Me and my client using only desktop app, that how files sync to my computer.

My files is extension ".mdb"

Megan

Hey @mouwe5, one more thing: does this happen with a specific folder, or multiple ones?

mouwe5

@Megan

I have that situation only in one folder, so i dont know if it happend in other folders.

I belive that not assosiate with specific folder.

Megan

Do you think you'd be able to send me a few screenshots, in order for me to also have a visual of this @mouwe5?

mouwe5

No problem, prefer it will be privately. @Megan

Walter

Hey @mouwe5 - sorry to jump in here, but would it be possible to recreate this with a sample folder so that you can send us screenshots as well to have a better look into this?

Otherwise, I'd be happy to send you an email to have a further look internally, if needed.

By the way, the most recent version of the desktop app just came out so I'd suggest updating to that from this page as well.

mouwe5

@Walter Send me email please.

I will send you all the pictures you need

Nancy

Hi @mouwe5! Hope you don’t mind me jump in.

Just to clarify, are you seeing the grey cloud icon showing here next to your files, after your employee moves a file to a different location?

Also, is this something that started happening lately after a specific OS/Dropbox update, or has the issue been going on for a while now?

I’d just like to gather as much info as possible before moving over to ticket to isolate the issue more.