We are aware of the issue with the badge emails resending to everyone, we apologise for the inconvenience - learn more here.

Forum Discussion

icanplan's avatar
icanplan
Helpful | Level 5
2 months ago

How do I download every one of my files from Dropbox to a 2TB external drive?

My old laptop died and i want to download every file on DB to an external drive connected to this laptop . How do i do that in one or two moves.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi icanplan, thanks for contacting us.

     

    As it sounds like you're using a new laptop, with the external drive connected, you could simply install the Dropbox desktop application, and have the Dropbox folder located on the external drive.

     

    During the installation, there should be an option for advanced settings. Make sure to select the external drive, and have the files available offline, and it'll create the Dropbox folder itself, and start to sync the files to that drive.

     

    Are you planning on continuing to use Dropbox on that laptop, or is this just a one off backup?

     

    This will help me to assist further!

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

    icanplan wrote:

    My old laptop died and i want to download every file on DB to an external drive connected to this laptop . How do i do that in one or two moves.


    Dropbox doesn't have that capability. You can download your files from the Dropbox website and save them directly to your external drive, but you'll need to do it in batches due to folder size and file quantity limits.

     

    The only other alternative is to use a third-party tool like Cyberduck or Mountain Duck to connect to your Dropbox account and copy the files that way.

    • icanplan's avatar
      icanplan
      Helpful | Level 5

      So let me understand what I am up against.  First is that DB easily has coppied my entire lap top and did it real quick. What you just told me is that to reverse that process, that I have to do these  things in batches.  Do you mean Cut and Paste or Copy?   

      Or my best bet is to buy an alternative software that i can use to log on to DB direct DB to use the new external drive and that will cost me somewhere between  $30 and up depending on duck or cyber ..

      • icanplan's avatar
        icanplan
        Helpful | Level 5

        The only way to get out of DB jail is to call your CC company and file a complaint that DB functions like a jail for your property and you are not able to get it back with out a major effort.   Whats more is that DB  has intentionally used this model of NON SERVICE.   Three years ago i tried to disengage my property with DB to find the same.  I squandered 2 hrs of my time valued at  $650 so I opted to let the $120 ride.  Now I am semiretired and expect that DB will not like me for squandering my time and holding my property hostage behind almost impossible runarounds.  There will be more from me when I complete my Public Relations campaign that details this and all other failed attempts to UNLOAD my property from the DB servers to my storage devices.  

About View, download, and export

Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!