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Forum Discussion

Michael Boucher's avatar
Michael Boucher
New member | Level 2
2 months ago

How can I make my files online-only on my new computers?

I have two new computers and want to have online only files, but have all the folders and structure on my computer. Clicked off of "all sync" because I did not want the files on, but I can't see any ...
Desktop
Sync
  • Dharam Dropbox's avatar
    Dharam Dropbox
    2 months ago

    For the folders/files you want to be visible on computer but not take any space, you can mark them online only using one of the options below:

    1. Right click on that folder, and choose `Make Online-Only`

    2. Click on Dropbox tray icon, then click on your profile image, choose `Manage Hard drive space` and there you can bulk choose which folders you want to mark online-only.

Dharam Dropbox's avatar
Dharam Dropbox
Icon for Dropbox Engineer rankDropbox Engineer

For the folders/files you want to be visible on computer but not take any space, you can mark them online only using one of the options below:

1. Right click on that folder, and choose `Make Online-Only`

2. Click on Dropbox tray icon, then click on your profile image, choose `Manage Hard drive space` and there you can bulk choose which folders you want to mark online-only.

Kneth's avatar
Kneth
Explorer | Level 4
18 days ago

I want to make all my dropbox files online only. Every time I view a file it downloads to my hard drive. How can I stop this, and make ALL files online only permanantly?

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    18 days ago

    Hi Kneth - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

     

    Could you please clarify your device's OS version, and the version and status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your system tray/menu bar? 

    • Kneth's avatar
      Kneth
      Explorer | Level 4
      15 days ago

      Hello Walter,

      Thank you for your response.

       

      My device's OS:

      Edition: Windows 11 Home

      Version: 23H2

      OS Build: 22631.4391

       

      Dropbox version: 212.3.5649

       

      Thank you and best regards,

      Kneth

      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        15 days ago

        Hi Kneth! Hope it’s OK if I jump in. 

         

        Do you mean that you’d like to open the files on your desktop app and make sure they’re not made available offline even then? 

         

        If yes, I’m afraid that’s not possible, as the Dropbox app needs to download the content of the file first for you to access it on your device. When you don’t need the file downloaded/offline anymore, you can always make it online-only again. 

         

        If I’ve misunderstood something, please let me know.

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