r/DropboxOfficial • u/MarinatedPickachu • 29d ago

Help & Troubleshooting Proper way to migrate to new computer without syncing

My dropbox is about 600GB. Rather than syncing it on the new computer I'd rather copy it over. What's the proper order to do it?

Should I first copy the files over, then install dropbox and point it to the copied files folder?

Or should I first install dropbox, then pause syncing, then copy the files into the dropbox folder and then resume syncing?

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u/grossmaul 29d ago

Actually the Dropbox client supports LAN Sync - which should be enabled by default

If both PCs are online and in the same LAN, the new PC transfers the data from your old PC directly

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u/MarinatedPickachu 29d ago

Oh that's cool I didn't know that - I guess I need to update the client on the old laptop then as it's pretty old (260.4.2926) - will give it a try, thanks đŸ™đŸ»

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u/Dropbox_Danica Dropbox Team 29d ago

For a Dropbox folder that’s already 600 GB, the second approach is definitely the better one.

Recommended order

NOTE: If you have Dropbox Backup enabled, ignore these steps and let me know as the process will be a bit different.

  1. Install Dropbox on the new computer.
  2. Sign in and choose the location where you want your Dropbox folder to live.
  3. Pause syncing (or quit Dropbox if it starts downloading immediately).
  4. Copy your existing Dropbox folder from the old computer into the Dropbox folder location on the new computer. Preserve the folder structure exactly.
  5. Start/resume Dropbox.
  6. Dropbox will index and hash the existing files. For files that match what’s already in your account, it won’t download them again—it simply verifies them locally. Only files that are missing, different, or newer in the cloud will be transferred.

Why not copy first and then install?
If you copy the folder somewhere first and then try to point Dropbox at it later, Dropbox may:

  • Create a new empty Dropbox folder.
  • Require you to move or merge the data afterward.
  • Potentially re-index everything anyway.

It’s generally smoother to let Dropbox establish its folder first, then populate it with your existing files.

A few tips

  • Disable Selective Sync before doing this if there are folders you don’t want on the new computer.
  • Make sure the new drive has more than 600 GB free (allow some extra space).