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How can I stop a file from syncing to Dropbox on Windows?

Is there a way of marking individual files in the Dropbox folders so that they are not indexed/ uploaded?

I use a large 32 bit application that is constantly updating an indexing file in the folder where the data files are stored, Dropbox uses a lot of processing power trying to sync (and Failing) the (48MB) file, but cannot do so because the file is open and locked by the Application whilst it is open (which is about 16 hours a day.)

Dropbox is using the CPU Turbo boost trying to sync the open file, which I would prefer is used for other Applications, short of pausing all Syncing is there a way of marking the file for not being synced to the cloud? or is there a way of scheduling DropBox to sync?

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Mark

TBirdUK wrote:
Is there a way of marking individual files in the Dropbox folders so that they are not indexed/ uploaded?

No there isnt I'm afraid.

The only way is to not sync that directory (via Selective Sync, but that removes it off the machine so there are a few work around you need to do), or, pausing syncing.

Jay

Hi @TBirdUK, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

You can use the right-click command, or the Powershell command in this article, if that option isn't available in order to set the file to be ignored by the Dropbox desktop application.

This will prevent the file from being detected by the app, and thus won't sync to the site.

If you need any further assistance, please let me know!

TBirdUK

Thanks Jay
nothing in Right click, l i tried Powershell but no effect

Jay

Could you try quitting the Dropbox desktop application entirely, then entering the Powershell script with the full file path of the file you're looking to ignore?

Once done, try rebooting the machine entirely to see if this helps.

TBirdUK

no difference
Set-Content -Path 'C:\Users\Pete\Dropbox\Genealogy\project1.aqsort' -Stream com.dropbox.ignored -Value 1