How do I exclude shared files or folders when I download my files using the CloudStor desktop app or Rclone?

When you download or migrate your CloudStor data, you may want to exclude shared files or folders to avoid data duplication, as it is possible that another user or your institution's IT group will download this data.

The data you may want to exclude when downloading your files include:

• Files and folders that are shared with you by another user.
• Files and folders within a group drive that you are a member of.

Find out more about how to determine whether a file or folder is owned by you are shared with you.

Note: If you choose to exclude your Shared folder, this will also mean your Zoom Recordings folder will not be downloaded. Find out how to download your Zoom Recordings using the CloudStor desktop app or Rclone.

Using Rclone

1. Download and install Rclone.
2. Add --exclude '/Shared/**' to your Rclone copy command.
   You can add additional exclude flags if there are any other folders you don't want to include in your download. In the example below both /CS-Stuff and /CS Team folders will not be downloaded.
   rclone copy --progress --exclude '/Shared/**' --exclude '/CS-Stuff/**' --exclude '/CS Team/**' CloudStor:"/" .

Learn more about Rclone includes and excludes.

Note: we recommend that you use the --dry-run flag to test your filtering before you run the command on the live data.

Using the CloudStor desktop app

You will need to have the CloudStor desktop app installed.

Remove an existing sync connection

1. Open the CloudStor desktop app.
2. Click next to the connection your want to remove and click Remove folder sync connection.
   
3. Click Remove Folder Sync Connection.
   
   The connection will not be removed from your system.

Add a new sync connection

1. Open the CloudStor desktop app.
2. Click Add Folder Sync Connection.
   
3. Enter the location you want your files saved to on your computer.
   
4. Select the main CloudStor folder.
   
5. Click Next.
6. Uncheck Use virtual files instead of downloading content immediately.
   
7. Uncheck the folders you want to exclude that you have identified earlier, including the Shared folder.
   
8. Click Add Sync Connection.
   
   Your CloudStor folder will now show as a sync connection and will start downloading to your local computer.