How to Sync Multiple Folders in Dropbox
Dropbox lacks the built-in functionality required to synchronize folders present outside the Dropbox directory on your computer. You can, however, move any folders that you want to synchronize into the Dropbox directory and then create junction points via the Command Prompt console so that you or any other business-related programs can still have access to the folders from their original locations. Any changes made to a junction point get updated to its target folder residing within the Dropbox directory, which then gets synchronized with the cloud.
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1.
Browse to the location of a folder using File Explorer.
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2.
Right-click and drag the folder to the “Dropbox” side-tab and then select “Move Here” on the context menu to move the folder into the Dropbox directory.
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3.
Press “Windows-X” and then select “Command Prompt” on the Power User menu.
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4.
Enter an mklink /J <Link> <Target> command, where <Link> stands for the original location of the moved folder, and <Target> stands for the location of the folder within the Dropbox directory on your computer.
For example, to create a junction point for a folder that originally resided within the Downloads folder on your computer, type
mklink /J “C:\Users\Username\Downloads\Folder_Name” “C:\Users\Username\Dropbox\Folder Name”
replacing “Username” with your Windows 8 username and “Folder_Name” with the name of the folder.
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5.
Press “Enter” to create the junction point. Repeat the process for any other folders that you want to synchronize with Dropbox.
References
Tips
- Before moving a folder, right-click and select "Properties" to check its size. Avoid moving folders that may exceed the storage space on your Dropbox account.
- Deleting or renaming a junction point has no effect on the target folder.
- By default, the Dropbox directory resides under your Windows 8 user account folder, but if you are unsure, click the "Dropbox" side-tab within any File Explorer window and then click the address bar to reveal its location.
Warnings
- While you can create a junction point within the Dropbox directory that leads to a folder elsewhere, any changes that you make to the folder from its real location don't get synchronized with the cloud until you either restart your computer or the Dropbox application.
Writer Bio
As an ardent tech fan, Andrew Meer loves writing about the latest in computer hardware and software. Since 2006, he has worked as a level designer and programmer for various video game companies. Meer holds a Bachelor of Science in game and simulation programming from DeVry University, California.