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Can I pause Dropbox while backing up files to my external hard drive?

Dropbox noob here.

I've been advised by some people to always use the "3-Tier Backup Protocol" to back up important files: 1) on the computer's hard drive itself, 2) to an external hard drive, and 3) to the cloud.

Before I ever started using Dropbox, I was backing up to an external HD. Now that I use the Dropbox cloud, would I be able to temporarily disable Dropbox in order to also back up to my external HD, then re-enable Dropbox afterwards?

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Walter

Hi from me @JMBand - thanks for the additional information.

In this case, I'd recommend making sure that your Dropbox desktop app is 'up to date' and not still syncing while you back your files up to your external hard drive. You can also pause syncing or quit the app when you perform your backups.

Let us know if you have anything else to ask.

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Nancy

Thanks for posting here, @JMBand!

Can you clarify how you’re backing up files to your external hard drive exactly? Are you manually creating copies of your files and saving them on your external hard drive?

Also, when saying you use the Dropbox cloud, are you referring to the desktop app you’ve installed on your computer or are you only using Dropbox via our website?

Let me know more details and we’ll go from there.

JMBand

I'm used to using the Windows backup function (choosing the external HD as the backup target), having already indicated which files I wanted backed up. Just the normal way anyone would backup to an external HD.

By Dropbox cloud, I'm just referring to the desktop app on my computer, set to "online only."

Walter

Hi from me @JMBand - thanks for the additional information.

Let us know if you have anything else to ask.

JMBand

Thanks for that! I will try it.