Box Sync allows you to mirror data stored on Box to your desktop. However, it is important to use this tool correctly in order to get the maximum benefit. When choosing the content you want to sync or evaluating the content you are already syncing, be aware that there are two issues that can potentially impact performance:
Beware When Syncing "High Activity" Folders
“High Activity folders" contain a large number of heavily accessed files and usually have many collaborators. As you can imagine, the amount of change that occurs in these folders on a given day can be quite high (edits, comments, tasks and other metadata). Box Sync sometimes requires a significant amount of time, internet bandwidth and computer power (from your machine) to ensure all changes are reflected in your Box Sync folder.
Avoid Syncing Folders You Do Not Regularly Access
Even if you only make a few simple changes to a synced folder, you might still be giving Box Sync a lot of work to do. To ensure file integrity and data security, Box Sync must scan all of your synced content (not just the edited document) before that change can be made in the cloud. As the total number of synced files increases (especially if “High Activity” folders are involved), the scan that Box Sync must perform becomes more complex and therefore more demanding on your computer and internet connection.
Limit Syncing to Content You Access Often
Box only supports syncing 100,000 files and up to 100GB to ensure the best performance. We recommend only marking for sync content that you access regularly. Syncing everything in your account can lead to poor performance.
How To Address Problems:
- Only sync folders in which you are actively working
- Evaluate whether any of your synced folders meet the criteria for "High Activity"
- Sync the lowest level sub-folder possible
- Un-sync folders immediately when they are no longer needed