Ubuntu – symlink a Dropbox folder

dropboxsymbolic-link

I've just installed Ubuntu 12.10 as a dual boot with Windows 8. I'd already had windows up and running for a few months before installing Ubuntu, so in order to have my files accessible from both OS's, I have the windows partition automatically mounted, and the folders in /home symlinked to their windows counterparts.

This is working really well except for my Dropbox folder. The dropbox folder created by the windows side is accessible by the linux side, but obviously it doesn't sync any more. The same problem arises the other way round.

Can anyone think of a way around this, to get both sides syncing the same data? Is it possible to point dropbox to a pre-existing folder instead of having it create a new folder?

Thanks

Best Answer

Dropbox should not have any problems using a symlinked "Dropbox folder".

Make sure the dropbox folder on your win partition is synced and uptodate.

dropbox stop
cd /home/$user/Dropbox
tar cvfz /home/$user/backup.tar.gz *
rm -R /home/$user/Dropbox
ln -s /pathtowindowspartition/User/Dropbox /home/$user/Dropbox 
cd /home/$user/Dropbox
dropbox start
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