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Forum Discussion
Files sync to Mac computers, but not to a Windows one
Has anyone experienced this.
I have 5 devices on which I share my Dropbox. 4 are Apple and sync instantaneously. My recent purchase of a windows laptop will not sync all of my folders/files/documents. I’m not getting timely support from Dropbox it’s been almost a month of back and forth emails and still they offer no solution and will not call me to troubleshoot.
I’m open to ideas or another provider to move my business to that provides support.
Thank you for any advise on this
Iliana1
Hey Iliana1, thanks for reaching out to us.
What's the sync status and version of the Dropbox app on the Windows computer? You can hover over the Dropbox icon for this info.
Do the files sync to your account online as well?
If they sync to your Mac computers and online, but not your Windows one, can you check if the names of the files have any incompatible characters?
Let me know what you find.
I'm having exactly the same trouble as you, the mobile phone Dropbox application that I run on an Iphone 12 and my Windows Laptop (Dell Inspiron 16) Dropbox Folder display different documents in each, things not syncing over in a timely fashion.
It's is hugely frustrating and a major inconvenience not knowing if my files will be available when I need them, so I empathise with your position OP.
njet01,
I resolved my issue. its the character incompatibility between a MAC and Windows capability. Windows has file name rules that do not accept the MAC file names. (Mac is more flexible)
Hannah, a Dropbox Staff member responded with the following suggestion. I went through all of my folder and file names and made corrections. They instantly synced across to the Windows laptop. Give it a try. Hope it resolves your issue too.
Hannah's response:
If they sync to your Mac computers and online, but not your Windows one, can you check if the names of the files have any incompatible characters?
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey Iliana1, thanks for reaching out to us.
What's the sync status and version of the Dropbox app on the Windows computer? You can hover over the Dropbox icon for this info.
Do the files sync to your account online as well?
If they sync to your Mac computers and online, but not your Windows one, can you check if the names of the files have any incompatible characters?
Let me know what you find.
Thank you for the response. I just re[lied to Walters request and hadn't seen your response. That's a new take on the issue.
I will go through the folders and see if I can locate one example of an incorrect file name and see if I correct it if it shows up across all devices.
I wonder through, would a folder be omitted due to having one or more files within the subfolders with an incorrect file name?
Iliana
Hannah you are the WINNER!!!!!! after over a month trying to work with Dropbox support, your solution worked. There were files that had special characters in them. How support did not point that out, I don't know. I GREATLY appreciate your response and your assistance.
Thank you!
Iliana
This is an ongoing issue. I have two phones (Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung), two laptops (Lenovo PCs) and a Mac desktop. I thought Dropbox would give me a way to see ALL files from ALL devices. Nope. The files are not in sync across all devices. In fact, the files I see on each device all seem to be different depending on the device I am using. I've had to resort to emailing myself and labeling files with dates and times to ensure I am using the latest documents. As you can imagine, this is very frustrating considering this is an issue Dropbox is supposed to solve. (And yes, I know it's probably me. :-/)
Two questions.
1. How do I get the files to sync across all devices?
2. How do I get current files all into one place?
Thanks, in advance, for your assistance.
Ron Jette
- Mark
Super User II
Hi RJWriter
First thing to check is that Dropbox is running on all devices and not reporting any errors - mouse over its icon on the status bar to see what it says.
Next thing is that they are ALL using the exact same email and log on. A good way to test that is to add a file (a photo say) and see where it appears.
In terms of syncing it should just do it as long as Dropbox is running without errors, on the same account AND its worth noting that files will ONLY sync to the Dropbox folder on the machine. So, if you work on a file elsewhere even if you copied/pasted it in to the Dropbox folder once that file wont update. The only way to update and sync is to work on files INSIDE of the \Dropbox directory.
- Hey, Mark.
Thanks for all this. I suspect that one of those things is out of whack due to an error on my part. Somehow, that doesn't surprise me. 🙂 Good to know, though, so I have something to check.
I'm not at home right now so I will have to try all of this later. But thank you, in advance. I'll let you know.
Ron
- Walter
Hey Iliana1, sorry to hear about your syncing issue.
Could you send us a screenshot of the app's exact status and version as shown in your system tray at the moment?
While we're at it, since you've already contacted our support team, could you share your ticket ID so that we can look it up in our system?
Ticket #22473103: Dropbox Support Chat
I hope you can help with this. I can't find answers and I would hate to have to change provider just because of a syncing issue. I've used Dropbox for several years and have been very happy with it.
I'm not computer savvy, so I hope this is what you are looking for. You are welcomed to contact me by phone to walk through any possible options. [removed per the Community's Guidelines]
Again, thank you very much.
Iliana
In case it is too dark, the number it shows is 180.4.4912 and says Up to date under the number.
