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I can't point to existing Dropbox folder upon installing the desktop app on a new computer
I have an exceptionally large Dropbox folder/directory — It is over 800g with around 800,000 files. I have the Dropbox folder on its own (internal) hard drive due it its size. In the past I was able to copy/move it to a new computer and then install Dropbox on a new computer, having the db installer to use that existing DB folder/directory. Not this time around. When I tried to install DB on a new computer and point it to an existing DB folder, the installer, balked, and told me to pick a new location or rename the existing Dropbox folder
Now I have been told that if I uninstall db install and reinstall Dropbox app on windows, the reinstall will let me use the existing Dropbox folder, so why can’t I do the same for a new install on a new computer.
Yes — I am up and running, but it took the better part of a day+ to download all the files from the cloud to the local disk
Yes, I did use the advance option and told the installer use the existing dropbox location, but the installer said “no” and offered to rename it ( in this case it was e:\dropbox – I think it want to rename it to e:\dropbox-old or something like that) or pick a different location – this was a first time install, do db was never on this new computer
I don’t’ recall the "online-only" and "local" option – so once installed I had to use the file explorer to the the (sub)folder to “offline”
12 Replies
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Frank P E. - sorry to hear about this.
Can you please send me a screenshot of the exact prompt you're getting when trying to point your Dropbox folder to your existing one upon installing the app on your new computer so that we can have a visual too?
If you could also clarify the exact OS of your device, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks!
Thanks for your reply ... the new computer is windows 11 and the Dropbox app is for the desktop — but it is too late now I let the installer rename the existing Dropbox folder and let it create a new one – then to add to the issue it seems that installer now defaults to “web only” I don’t think I missed it, I did not see an option have the data also downloaded — it created the “symlink” for all the files in the Dropbox directory — it then took it seemed like days for the 800g to be download — this all does not make sense
- Walter
I see, thanks for the additional details there, Frank. Could you maybe forward us a screenshot of the app's exact status and version as shown in your task bar?
here info on the db app running on win 11
- Walter
I was referring to the app's status as shown in your system tray/task bar, Frank - not the properties window you sent. Could you send that on as well?
is the info you need?
- Rich
Super User II
is the info you need?
Don't click the icon. Just hover your cursor over it. It will look like this:
I think i got it now
Hello — Thanks for the help — there is a simple solution to this issue not sure what the last request would do to help
The installer should ask these simple question —
1) “I found an existing ‘Dropbox’ folder at the location specified – do you want to use it and its content?
2) Do you want the files in the Dropbox folder to be “local” or “online only”
this will fix the issue
- Walter
So, are we safe to assume that you're back up and running now Frank P E.? If not, did you try to move the Dropbox folder using these steps?
When it comes to your additional points now note that:
1. You should have the advanced option to point your Dropbox folder to an existing folder (location) on your computer upon installing the Dropbox desktop app in the first place. Did you not get that option?2. If it's a fresh install you should get the option to choose your "online-only" and "local" files normally, but if you choose an existing folder, you can adjust your sync settings through the app's preferences for newly added files and for the existing ones, use the right click options?
