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Forum Discussion
I tried switching to Dropbox, but it’s impossible
I subscribe to 2TB on Google Drive, but some aspects of their app functionality are not good. I consider Dropbox's software superior in speed and reliability. A feature I really like in Dropbox is the ability to disable synchronization for a specific folder or file, something that is not possible in Drive. However, Dropbox does not allow you to sync a folder outside of the Dropbox folder, no longer supports symlinks, and the 'new' backup feature is a joke. It only allows you to sync folders that are inside the user folder (Windows), but there’s a catch: it only allows you to sync these folders if they are on the same HDD or SSD as the Dropbox folder. This means you are forced to use your Dropbox folder on the same drive where Windows is installed, which is terrible and affects the computer’s performance at various times.
I have two 240GB SSDs and two 1TB HDDs. I have files on all these devices that I would like to sync with Dropbox, but it’s impossible. I tried using Rclone, but it’s an error simulator, slow, and Dropbox limits its capability. I clearly realized that the Dropbox company does not care at all about users like me, and the worst part is that I am not a user who wants to do something beyond basic; what I’m trying to do is very basic and essential. And it’s not just a few people wanting the same; in my search, I found countless others with the same type of complaint. So here I share my experience and also some questions: does anyone know if the company plans to address these issues? Or if there is currently any alternative to achieve these goals using Dropbox? Because if not, I will really have to look for another service or continue with Drive. Let’s face it, it’s hard to understand the stance of a company that should do everything to have a differential and be superior in several aspects to compete with big companies like Google. Google already has the customers; they just need to press one button to sign up for more services. Dropbox is handing its customers to the competition on a silver platter.
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi there infini - thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this with us.
It sounds like you're referring to the older version of the Dropbox Backup feature. Have you tried the updated version by any chance?
If not, could you give it a go and let us know if it improves matters at all?
Thanks so much!
Hello, Walter! Thank you for the response. Sorry, I have the latest version of Dropbox installed, I installed it this week, and it has this 'new' backup feature (I suppose it’s updated, right?)... but I just opened the link you sent... it seems there is a 'secret' version of Dropbox Backup, is that it? 😵 I'll try to install and test it... but I'm still a bit worried because, anyway, Dropbox Backup has some limitations compared to the normal folder; I hope at least the synchronization is bidirectional. Thanks!
Well, I followed all the steps from the link you sent me — very strange and confusing steps, by the way — and I even reinstalled Dropbox. This time I installed it on C: to enable the backup for a folder that it allows backing up (in the user folder). I enabled the backup, then I disabled it and restarted Dropbox, as per the instructions you sent, and enabled the backup again, but it didn’t update to any new version; it still had the same folder options. But by doing this, I was able to test and understand how Dropbox Backup works, and it is unidirectional. It doesn’t allow changes to be made in the cloud to reflect on local files; this is terrible. I just want to be able to sync folders from my computer with Dropbox, that’s all. I guess I’ll have to stick with Google Drive.
