Selective sync lets you choose which folders from your Dropbox account sync to your computer. This can be useful for saving space on your hard drive, or if you only need access to certain files or folders.
Here's how to use selective sync in Dropbox:
1. Open Dropbox Settings
- Open the Dropbox desktop app.
- Click on your profile picture in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
- Select Settings.
2. Access the Selective Sync Tab
- In the Settings window, click on the Account tab.
- Choose Selective Sync.
3. Choose Folders to Sync
- The Selective Sync window will show you all the folders in your Dropbox account.
- Uncheck the boxes next to folders you don't want to sync to your computer.
- Check the boxes next to folders you want to sync.
- Click Apply.
4. Confirm Changes
- Dropbox will begin syncing the chosen folders.
- You can see the progress of the sync in the Dropbox app.
- Once the sync is complete, only the selected folders will be available on your computer.
Example:
- You have a large folder in your Dropbox account called "Photos" that you don't need to access frequently.
- To save space on your computer, you can uncheck the "Photos" folder in the Selective Sync settings.
- This will prevent the "Photos" folder from syncing to your computer, freeing up space on your hard drive.
Practical Insights:
- Uncheck folders you rarely use: This is the most effective way to reduce the amount of storage space Dropbox uses on your computer.
- Re-sync folders as needed: If you need to access a folder that you've un-synced, simply check the box next to it in the Selective Sync settings.
- Use the "Sync only this folder" option: This allows you to choose specific folders within a larger folder to sync.
