Automatically Sync and Backup Documents folder with Dropbox
Dropbox doesn’t allow you to sync folders outside of the “My Dropbox” folder, so here’s a workaround to have your Documents folder (and any other user folder) automatically synced using Dropbox.
(This guide written for Vista, but it works the same in XP)
Motivation/Background: I first did this a few months back when my Macbook Pro had to be sent in for repair (the video card broke. again.) Not having my main work machine with me, I was working off my old PC instead. I wanted a way to easily transfer all my documents back to my macbook when I get it back, and in addition at the time I had a 2nd laptop (on loan to me for our Senior Design class) which I was using occasionally. Syncing files using Dropbox was the solution, but it was troublesome to always remember to specifically save files in the My Dropbox folder. I then explored and found out that I can change the location of my Documents folder. As a bonus, I was also able to sync easily sync files with the Documents folder on my OSX side, and more recently I was able to quickly format my computer without worrying about manually backing up my documents. It’s also giving me a peace of mind while I operate out of Win 7! OK, enough banter.
1. Right Click on Documents folder > Properties
2. Location Tab
3. Click on Move…
4. Browse to ”My Dropbox” folder.
5. Create a Documents folder there, if you don’t already have one.
6. Select this Documents folder. You’ll see that the path back on the Location tab has changed to reflect this (for example mine is, C:\Users\Serenity\My Dropbox\Documents)
7. Click OK
8. It’ll prompt you asking “Do you want to move…” Select Yes.
Done!
Notice the Dropbox sync status icon overlayed on your Documents folder.
Now the Documents folder is no longer at C:\Users\<you>\Documents, but as far as navigating to it through tabs, shortcuts, start menu, it’ll automatically jump you to the correct folder in Dropbox (and for the most part this appears seamless! you don’t see that you are in the My Dropbox folder). Applications that use the Documents folder (eg. some video games) would also automatically be directed to the correct folder. So far, I’ve not come across anything that was hardcoded to go to the old Documents folder.
You can do this for almost any other user folder (ie. any folder in C:\Users\<you>\), but Dropbox only gives you 2GB (unless you go premium) so I would stay away from syncing Videos, Pictures, Music, and Downloads, unless you are careful how much you put in there.
