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"Don't Sync" option missing on Windows 11

It'd be nice if there was a way (it appears there used to be?) to exclude a folder/files from syncing on Dropbox. I realize I could just keep those files outside of the Dropbox folder, but this would be inconvenient for my own organization of files. At the link below it looks like there used to be a "Don't sync on Dropbox" option, which is exactly what I want, but it's not there anymore. Was that removed or am I missing something?

https://help.dropbox.com/sync/ignored-files

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Comments

Walter

Hey @jethro7e - thanks for posting on our Community and sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Could you please clarify your computer's OS version, and the version and status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your system tray/menu bar?

Thanks!

Rich

@jethro7e wrote:
At the link below it looks like there used to be a "Don't sync on Dropbox" option ...

That appears to be new as previously the only way to do it was through PowerShell or a terminal window. The ability to select it from the right-click menu was never an option until now (and that help article was just updated last week).

I'm wondering, for Windows at least, if this is something only available with the new Dropbox for Windows update that uses Microsoft's new Cloud Files API. I have two computers that are both running the latest beta build (v210.3.4724), and the "Don't sync to Dropbox.com" option is only available on the one that's using the new update.

jethro7e

Dropbox 209.4.3361

Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 23H2
Installed on ‎12/‎27/‎2022
OS build 22631.4317
Serial number PF2AR7R6
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22700.1041.0

jethro7e

I noticed after I posted that the article was only a week old which made it more confusing that I didn't see the feature. Someone from Dropbox staff asked me for my system info so hopefully we'll have this resolved soon. Thanks for your reply.

Rich

@jethro7e wrote:
I noticed after I posted that the article was only a week old which made it more confusing that I didn't see the feature.

When you look at the files in your Dropbox folder, are the sync icons (green check, blue syncing, etc.) on the file's icon or are they in a separate column like this?

The separate column is part of the newer Dropbox Update for Windows which utilizes Microsoft's new Cloud Sync API. That's a screenshot from my system where I do get "Dont' sync..." option on right-click. The system where the sync icons are still on the file icons does not get that option.

jethro7e

Actually I haven't thought about it until you mentioned it, I don't see the green, blue, or

syncing icons anymore (I definitely used to, but I think it's been a while). The only time I see Dropbox icons next to files is when the files are "online only" and I see a brown box there.

Walter

Could you post a screenshot of the options you get when you right click on your files in the Dropbox folder @jethro7e?

jethro7e

I don't know how, when I right click and go to Dropbox the window pops open but when I take a screenshot the window goes away. Here's what the Dropbox window says though...

-Copy Dropbox Link

-Share...

-Transfer a copy...

-Make online-only

-View on Dropbox.com

-Version History

Rich

@jethro7e wrote:
The only time I see Dropbox icons next to files is when the files are "online only" and I see a brown box there.

Just as an FYI, the brown box icon isn't from Dropbox. It's from OneDrive/Windows 11.

jethro7e

Ah, that makes more sense. Thanks.