Copying a Dropbox folder to a different location doesn't download the files from Dropbox

[rolander]

I'm backing up some folders from dropbox and realized that xyplorer is only copying the files that had been already downloaded to my local drive.
On the other hand, when I make the copy the same folder using windows explorer, it starts downloading every file while copying.
I dont think this is normal so I'm posting this on the Bug Reports, but feel free to move this post if this is an expected behavior.

[admin]

That's a tough one. If this is the expected behavior I'm afraid I cannot replicate it.

[rolander]

Just to make things more clear:

Dropbox has an option to leave the files on the cloud and only download them when you need them (open/copy/move the file).

When i copied a folder containing some files on the cloud and some downloaded to my pc using xyplorer, the new copied folder size was significantly less than the original folder size. Also the copy was really fast (meaning, it only copied the files that had been previously downloaded and hadnt wait for the download to happen).

This happened with every one of the folders in my dropbox (I was making a backup of everything before cancelling my dropbox subscription).
Luckily I realized about this right after deleting those folders. So got them back from dropbox trash and copied them using windows explorer. Witch took for ever because it had to download every file online.

Just in case I´ve tried again using xyplorer, and got the same result as before.

I´m not planning to keep using dropbox, but letting you know in case this is useful to someone else.
Please let me know if there´s some tests or logs you want me to send.

[admin]

Thanks. I think I understand. But it cannot be done.

[rolander]

3 workarounds that I dont really know if they are possible (im fairly new to xplorer):

1- A way to tag folder (in this case dropbox folder) so it only uses the windows default copy handler?
2- Have a shortcut to bypass xyplorer copy handler (ej: ctrl+alt+v instead of ctrl+v... or ctrl+alt+drag)
3- Create an action in the Catalog so you can easily switch between native and xyplorer copy handlers.

Maybe the 3rd option would be doable?


By the way, let me say that I´ve been using xyplorer for less than a week and I wish I came across it sooner. The amount of possible customization and the Catalog concept and implementation are mind blowing. Congratulations on the amazing work you´ve done here.

[admin]

Oh, it works when using the Windows default copy handler in XYplorer?

Thank you!

[rolander]

Yes disabling the Custom Copy works fine.

I just tried enabling (only copy the already downloaded files) and disabling (download and copied everything).

[admin]

Here's something that can be used to force shell copy:

Code: Select all

v10.10.0102 - 2011-08-23 12:19
    + Custom Copy: Now you can state a Custom Copy Blacklist containing 
      any number of target paths which shall be excluded from Custom 
      Copy (and automatically use normal Shell Copy instead).
      The data should be provided in a file placed in <xydata> and 
      named "CustomCopyBlacklist.dat". The paths should be listed one 
      per line in any order. All sorts of variables and portable syntax 
      are supported. Here's an example for the contents of the file on 
      64-bit Windows (on 32-bit Windows you would drop the line 
      "%ProgramFiles(x86)%"):
        %ALLUSERSPROFILE%
        %ProgramFiles%
        %ProgramFiles(x86)%
        %WinDir%
      The typical reason for blacklisting folders is that Custom Copy 
      will fail where UAC disallows writing to them, whereas Shell Copy 
      will prompt for elevation.

[rolander]

That looks great!
2 questions regarding this:

1- You recommend to keep the folders that are already in the script, right (in a 64b windows) ? And simply add the dropbox folder there.

2- I'm not completely sure where should i enter this.

2a_ Is this a one time script? So I can run it from scripting/run script once and that's it?

2b_ Should i run this script every time I start xyplorer? in that case, I've read the manual and my guess is that I should create a scriptname.xys and then run from cmd like this: XYplorer.exe /script="path\scriptname.xys". Is that correct?

Thanks again

[Horst]

Read again, there is no script
As said
The data should be provided in a file placed in <xydata> and named "CustomCopyBlacklist.dat".

[admin]

And yes, I would recommend to add those paths (well, only if you really plan to copy or move those folders) and append a line with your dropbox path at the end. Or simply create that CustomCopyBlacklist.dat with just one line (your dropbox path).

[rolander]

Works perfectly. What a great software.
Thank you both.