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Dropbox keeps resetting with every windows update to "online only" despite my settings for offline

This happens repeatedly. The the "advanced options" approach listed online for preventing the windows update in Dropbox is not available even on reinstallation. Huge issue. Please fix it. Please don't tell me to right click my Dropbox folder to set offline or to reset my preferences in selective sync...I have done this multiple times and that is not a solution...Dropbox still reverts to online only with every windows update. Huge issue others have complained about..no obvious solution...it seems Dropbox's solution is to close the discussion.

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Comments

Walter

Hey @Doppler44 - thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, can you clarify your computer's exact OS version and the version/status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your menu bar/system tray?

Any additional information or even scccreenshots are more than welcome!

Doppler44

Thank you Walter - Dell desktop PC with Windows 11 (home); updated; 3th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13700 (2.10 GHz); 64 gb RAM; 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor; OS build 26200.6899

Dropbox 234.4.5591

this problem also occurs on my Dell PC - same issue - nearly all my files revert to "offline" with most every windows update; I have read this is an issue; the only solution I saw involved not syncing (not a solution; otherwise why have Dropbox?) or changing an "advanced option" by reinstalling - I did that but the option to defer windows update in Dropbox was not evident to me.

Doppler44

And now Dropbox is reindexing my files 500,000 files 1.5 days estimated time

Walter

And what are your sync settings as per the app's preferences (under the sync tab)@Doppler44?

Also, approximately how many files you're syncing in your Dropbox folder and how much hard drive space is left on your computer?

Doppler44

Walter - I have a ton of space - that is not the issue - over 500 GB available (my Dropbox is on my Drive D, not my operating system C; and drive D has 2 TB space). It's how I've always set it up for years; this not remembering my preferences is relatively new (past year).
Here is how the preferences are set up.

On my laptop (same version of Dropbox), where I DO use selective sync, the same problem occurs; nearly everything is removed from my device to the online storage only with windows updates.

Thanks - JB

Walter

Did you try reinstalling the app on any of your computer that exhibits this behavior at all @Doppler44?

Doppler44

Yes, I reinstalled dropbox and it made no difference other than create a long delay in reindexing my files Here's what I see online, and wonder if this is the issue:

If a Windows update is resetting your Dropbox files to online-only, it is likely because of a recent change in how Windows integrates with cloud storage services. Dropbox was forced to update its desktop app to use Microsoft's Cloud Files API, which has introduced new behaviors. The good news is that you can adjust your Dropbox settings and implement workarounds to regain control over your file sync behavior. Understand the Windows update

The problem stems from the "Dropbox for Windows" update that is focused on integrating with Microsoft's new Cloud Files API.

Automatic resync: This update can trigger a complete resync of all your files and may change the default sync status for some files and folders to online-only.
Default behavior change: Files added to your Dropbox account from another device or the Dropbox website may now default to online-only on your Windows computer, even if you previously set them to be available offline.

Nancy

Hope you don’t mind if I chime in here, @Doppler44.

If you check your email address, you should be seeing a new email from me. Please reply back to it, and I’ll investigate this further.