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What’s new with Dropbox Backup

We’ve seen some threads from Community members about how you use Dropbox Backup and we are here with an update and some info you might like to know. The team saw your feedback and have changed some things, so keep reading to learn more about Dropbox Backup.

Back up a computer with Dropbox Backup

With Dropbox Backup, you can select which computer files and folders you’d like to back up to the cloud. After the initial backup, any changes you make to files and folders on your computer will reflect in Dropbox Backup.

Log in to dropbox.com.
Click the grid icon in the top-left corner.
Click Backup from the list that appears.

Back up an external hard drive with Dropbox Backup

Once you plug in your external hard drive and agree to back it up, your files will get backed up to Dropbox Backup. After your external hard drive files are backed up, you can access them from dropbox.com/backup/all.

What’s new with Dropbox Backup?

Previously, Backup files were moved into your Dropbox account. Now, based on your feedback, your files will stay in the same place. This means that the updated version of Backup won’t allow you to access other computer backups from your Dropbox folder, they stay on your computer, but you can restore your device if it fails.

Additionally, you can:

Rename your backups. You can customize the name of your device backup so you can distinguish between multiple backups.
Select any folder within your computer’s home folder to back up, including subfolders. You’re no longer limited to folders like "Documents", "Desktop", and "Downloads"
Schedule when your device backups occur.
View progress of your backups. You can check the percentage of your backup progress to get more insight into your backup completion.
Make the most of more options to kick off your backup restoration—from either the web or your computer.

Thank you for your ongoing feedback!

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Comments

Pirx

I am sorry, but I cannot see the capability you describe. I most definitely see no option to "Back up any folder on [my] device". I am still unable to pick any folder other than the ones from the standard set of Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, or Videos.

Walter

Hey @Pirx - thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you try these steps to update Dropbox Backup and let us know how it goes?

Pirx

I have tried this, numerous times, of course, but see #2
Why would you ask me to try any steps whatsoever when you should know that the way I described Dropbox Backup to work is exactly the way it is currently implemented? Dropbox Backup will not allow users to select any folder outside the limited set of folders that has been mentioned before, and that's that. What is particularly galling about this is that, more than a year ago, there was a Beta version of Dropbox Backup that supported the user selecting any folder on their C: drive for backup, but this capability has been taken away.

Nancy

@Pirx, the capability that you mention is indeed available now with Dropbox Backup (the previous Backup beta), which is why Walter suggested those steps.

Can you clarify the current syncing status and app version of your Dropbox app, so that we can troubleshoot further? Also, what’s the OS version of the device you’re using?

Pirx

No, it is not. This is what the folder selection dialog looks like for the Windows client:

Thus, only the shown folders or subfolders thereof can be selected. What we have been asking for is the ability to pick folders outside the hierarchy in the above screenshot. If you disagree with what I am saying, then do feel free to post a screenshot that shows folder selection outside of the scope shown above.

BenDBX

Hi @Pirx,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have confirmed that the update to Backup allows backing up of all folders within your computer's home folder and corrected this information in the original post. We appreciate the feedback, and I have provided it to the relevant team.

Regards,

Ben

guhcampos

@BenDBX wrote:
Hi @Pirx,

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. I have confirmed that the update to Backup allows backing up of all folders within your computer's home folder and corrected this information in the original post. We appreciate the feedback, and I have provided it to the relevant team.

Regards,
Ben

No, it does not.

Screenshot 2024-06-24 112943.png

happychaps

When will we have the capability to select folders outside of the hierarchy shown? As other users have requested, I would like to pick any folders on my computer drive for automatic backup, and thought I was going to get this with the new backup.

Mark

@happychaps wrote:
When will we have the capability to select folders outside of the hierarchy shown? As other users have requested, I would like to pick any folders on my computer drive for automatic backup, and thought I was going to get this with the new backup.

Dropbox have actually removed something similar to this as a feature from beta to public release so I would suspect it isn't coming at all anytime soon.

DBoxTips

@happychaps wrote:
When will we have the capability to select folders outside of the hierarchy shown? As other users have requested, I would like to pick any folders on my computer drive for automatic backup, and thought I was going to get this with the new backup.

While no longer possible with Dropbox Backup, this is still possible using third party software that integrates with the Dropbox desktop application, like Boxifier (Windows only, it would be great to have something like this for macOS).

Andrew (DBoxTips)

I am an individual contributor to the Dropbox Community forums, not affiliated with Dropbox. All opinions expressed here are my own.

MSERRR

The problem doesn't solv yet!

Walter

Hey @MSERRR - could you elaborate on the issue you're facing so that we can assist further?

MSERRR

You’re no longer limited to folders like "Documents", "Desktop", and "Downloads"

It's not true now. I can choose only some specific folders, like My Documents.

I can't use Dropbox for backup purpose.

Mark

This post is two years old and when it was in beta.

Since then that option has been removed and you can now only use certain folders. There is no way around this.