Re: Turning on dropbox backup but folder name is weird

Hi, I am trying this new Dropbox Backup feature, and I'm noticing that a directory was created with a name I didn't choose, namely:

My Mac (123.dhcp.myisp.com).

I would like this to be something like My Mac (laptop), instead of the default name.

I noticed that my Desktop folder was moved in there and the actual Desktop folder is now a symlink pointing to Desktop in My Mac (123.dhcp.mysip.com), and while I could rename it and fix the symlink, it seems like this may cause issues with Dropbox looking at the wrong places in the future, e.g. when adding/removing backup folders at the very least.

Is there a way to rename this without causing issues?

Thanks.

Hey marioshadj, let's see what we can do on this. 

Since the computer backup feature creates a folder named after your device's name, you can try the following steps to see if they do the trick:

• Turn off the computer backup feature. 
• Unlink the device from your Security tab. 
• Rename your computer to what you want it to be called. 
• Sign in again with your account. 
• Make sure that the computer backup feature is enabled. 

Let me know how it goes, thanks!

PS. If you're on a Basic (free) account, note that there's a three device limit and you'll have to make sure that you've got less than three devices connected to proceed.

Hi Lusil,

Thank you for the suggestion.

I had renamed my computer and restarted dropbox initially to try it out but that did not work, and it looks like it only looks at the name of the computer when I linked dropbox.

I assumed that what you suggested could work, though that would mean I have to set-up all the specific folders I want to sync on my laptop all over again, which is a bit of an overkill for such a simple rename :(

I understand that this is a "beta" feature, would it make sense to have an option to rename a device in the preferences?

Sure thing, marioshadj! You can post this here, where other like-minded users can comment and upvote it. 

In the meantime, if you have any other thoughts or questions for us, just give us another nudge. Cheers!

Hi, I have the same problem.

I backed up many gigabytes already. So for me to apply the suggested solution it means re-downloading and uploading at least 60Gb of data. 

So please provide a way to rename the folder. It looks so unprofessional.

For your information: it has the domain name of the modem of my previous internet provider. Completely useless naming..

Why is this going unaddressed? This is an issue on business accounts and its confusing my users.

I have a few question about Dropbox. 

First, how can I rename "My Mac (xy)" featured Folders, because I had two Mac folders, a MacBook Pro, and an Air, so I want to change it to: My Mac ( Pro) and My Mac ( Air). (because its looks like cool)

Thanks for help!

Thank you, but I didnt understand...

What will happen. If i Unlink my Mac from Dropbox, and It will stop sync feature? Files that have been synced to dropbox in the past will be deleted after unlink defice or not? Because it synced over 500 GB, which I don’t want to delete.

I'm having this issue as well. Tried all these steps and still it's naming it "Andys-MacBook-2" because previously there was another "Andys-MacBook" on the network. I've since renamed the second computer and removed the 2 but Dropbox is still naming the backup folder with it. Can't figure out a solution.

If i Rename my mac, the folder doesnt refreshing...

The way Dropbox reacts to this stupidly implemented solution and the way they focus only on more distracting 'features' I decided to cancel my subscription. 

All the best

Yes, I did this, but the result is bigger problem than before: Dropbox created a another My Mac, and start the bacup again, from the beginning. Now, I have two My Mac, with the same files/ docs. The Problem is solved, but this solutions is so bad. 

I reinstalled my operating system a few days ago and these two folders are not visible to me and show up on the new one as the PC folder. You can see the picture here.https://imgur.com/gallery/mGhrwen

But in dropbox, it will show this.https://imgur.com/5XcXvfi

After I reinstalled my operating system, I move all my desktop files from PC to PC2.So the PC folder is empty.And I can't delete it nor can i rename the PC2 folder.

And the dropbox desktop software will contain a PC2 folder.https://imgur.com/ka8UPxN

Look forward to your favourable reply.

Sorry for the late reply,but it is always the PC2 folder.Though I have deleted all my devices and folders on dropbox, and I resynced, it will create the same PC2 folder.

I have the same problem. 

I have tried all teh steps above.

THIS should now be the only PC being abcked up ALL OTERS HAVE BEEN DEACTIVAED AND REMOVED however it still list this PC as #2.   This is frustration.  I HATE IT! 

Please allow us a way to rename this folder. 

I agree.  Not being able to rename the backup folder WITH THE NAME OF THE COMPUTER BEING BACKED UP is INEXCUSABLY STUPID.  No, really.  Seriously stupid.  Like, actually moronic.  Bad enough that I wonder what their company drug policy is.  Seriously.  Truly, truly dumb.

This app is getting harder and harder to take seriously.  I don't know what's wrong with those guys.

It honestly seems a security/privacy flaw to me that, despite unlinking the device from your account, if you set up Dropbox on it again, it gets assigned the same folder name. Dropbox should have no idea the same device is being linked because I disassociated it with my account. So why has Dropbox not actually forgotten its existence? It's very suspicious to me. 

Ugh, same problem.  its pegging my main PC as PC2 after a format/upgrade to windows 11.  unlinked everythign from my dropbox account, restarted and tried to set it up again.

guess i wont be using that. 

can win with cloud services.   tried putting libraries in onedrive but stuff just gets perpetually stuck on sync so figured id shift gears and come to dropbox.  nope, dropbox has to sequester things off in their own "PC" folder and on top of that they have to append numbers and you cant change whatever it decides. 

good times.   local backups it is.