Network shared folder in Dropbox on computer

Question

I understand that the Dropbox folder/location itself should not be shared on a network. What I'm trying to find out is if it will cause any technical difficulties to network share a folder that is in Dropbox. My example is that I would have a folder named Shared in my Dropbox that I share on my local network as a Windows share.

I can't see a problem with this from the technical side since files in that Shared drive could not be accessed for writing/modifying at the same time because of a Windows restriction.

I don't see how this would be against Dropbox rules as I'm not sharing Dropbox itself with anyone, just a file that happens to reside Dropbox.

If anyone has any technical reasons or account reasons why this shouldn't be done, please let me know.

Rich · Answer

Perhaps, I don't understand the file-update event. … The updates that either of us do appear immediately in the folder, so I'm not sure what the delay that Dropbox cannot handle would be.

Basically, when Dropbox is installed it registers itself to receive updates from the file system when a file changes. When you save a file, an update event is triggered and the OS sends Dropbox a notification about the updated file. This is how Dropbox knows that a file has changed and needs to be synced.

If you share your Dropbox folder or a subfolder across the network and then save a file from another device, this doesn't trigger the file-update event that Dropbox relies on to sync the file. Dropbox won't know that the saved file has changed until the next time it indexes your files.

I also access this folder from my several other computers, but that is mostly to download files.

Downloading files in this manner wouldn't be an issue. It's only when you update a file in your Dropbox folder across the network from another device.

Megan · Answer

Hey @jrlbell!

If it works the way you're using it so far, then by all means feel free to continue working the way you already do. Even if it's not directly supported by us.

Keep in mind that you can always use a Dropbox shared folder or link that you can share with your wife. Essentially a shared link creates a copy of files to send to someone, even if they don't have a Dropbox account.

On the other hand a shared folder creates a collaborative folder where designated editors can view, edit and delete any file in the folder. You can also use Dropbox Badge with your files. The Dropbox badge makes it easier to check for other versions of the document, share a link directly from your file, and prevent conflicted copies if multiple people are editing at the same time.

If you need something else, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help every step of the way.

jrlbell · Answer

Hi Megan,

I understand what you are saying, but I'm not sure I agree. Perhaps, I don't understand the file-update event. Normally, I am the only one using the files on the network shared "Shared" folder is me. However, my wife and I keep our shared income tax information on under that folder. We have a few other folders and files that are occasionally update by both of us (not at the same time). The updates that either of us do appear immediately in the folder, so I'm not sure what the delay that Dropbox cannot handle would be. I also access this folder from my several other computers, but that is mostly to download files.

My wife does not use Dropbox on a regular basis and definitely does not have this network shared folder as a folder in Dropbox (that would be impossible, as far as I can tell, unless).

This "shared" folder reside on and is shared from my computer. Other computers simply access the shared folder through Windows network (Windows Explorer → Network → \<my computer name\<share name>). Usually, the other computers have a drive letter mapped to the share.

The only other alternative is to keep a separate, non-Dropbox folder, for my network share and then copy the contents at regular intervals to a Dropbox folder that is not share for backup purposes.  That is kind of a Dropbox deal breaker for me.