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NoviceToDb's avatar
NoviceToDb
Explorer | Level 4
6 years ago
Solved

Deleted files from Dropbox were also deleted from my PC

Dear all,   I would like to ask for an advice how to proceed further.   A few days ago, I signed up in Dropbox – web version. When setting up my account, I must have left the default ticks to...
desktop
Download
Error Messages
restore
sync
  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    6 years ago

    Thanks for getting back to us here NoviceToDb!

     

    If you previously uninstalled the desktop app, or have since disabled the backup feature with the steps Jay mentioned above, then the backup should no longer be syncing those folders to your Dropbox account.

     

    However, the error that you're getting there for the Downloads folder may be due to deleting the folder without correctly disabling the backup feature. It's a little unexpected that the file path wouldn't revert back automatically.

     

    To restore the default folder path for your Downloads folder, you can right click the folder and choose "Properties", and from there choose "Restore Default".

     

    Let me know how it goes!

Ecuriel's avatar
Ecuriel
Helpful | Level 5
6 years ago

I followed the Turn off computer backup 8 steps: Click Dropbox icon in system tray; click profile picture; preferences; backups tab; manage backup; uncheck all files; save; click stop anyway; 

Files will then remain in Dropbox but won't appear in their original folders on my PC.  There will be a shortcut to them called "My Files in Dropbox.

On my computer, they were accessible by a shortcut folder called “My files in Dropbox” that appeared in the “Desktop”, “Documents”, and “Downloads” folder that I'm no longer backing up to Dropbox.

This seems to be working for me and I have my files back on my PC only.  I will exam more deeply in the next few days as I open files and programs tied to these files.   I'll get back to you if they don't. Thanks for that.  Whewwww!

 

Q: Can I then safely perform an "unlink"?  I don't want Dropbox to link or sync to my PC  until i feel more confident.

 

Daphne's avatar
Daphne
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
6 years ago

Hey again Ecuriel!

 

I'm glad to hear you stopped the backup without any issues. If you would like to unlink the desktop app for now, then please feel free to do so.

 

The Dropbox folder will remain on your computer, but it will just be like any other folder on your computer and will no longer sync with your account online. You can rename the folder or just leave it as it is for the meantime.

 

Let me know if you have any other questions!

  • haw3455's avatar
    haw3455
    Explorer | Level 3
    6 years ago

    Hello, 
    I have a similar problem. My Dropbox has My PC and all my Desktop files and folders in it.

    If I try to move any of the files, I get a "threatening" message that everything will be deleted.

    I already canceled the Syncing in the Dropbox that caused this whole mess (as I just learned)

    Can anyone please help me get everything out of the Dropbox and back onto my desktop without it getting deleted. 

    Thanks

    • Ecuriel's avatar
      Ecuriel
      Helpful | Level 5
      6 years ago

      I chatted with a tech online and they suggested that I stop syncing Dropbox with the PC. Then you can grab all your files and and "move" them to your PC.  It worked for me and I am doing ok now.  I followed the instructions on how to do that.  Any files that you deleted accidentally will be in the deleted folder on Dropbox and you can recover those as well.  Good luck.

    • stru's avatar
      stru
      Helpful | Level 6
      6 years ago

      This is what happened: Dropbox has a new feature. During installation a box reading "Back Up" is checked by default. Without ANY other notification whatsoever, Dropbox REMOVES all your local files during the installation and puts them on a folder of its own (online). Same thing happened to me in July and I ended up loosing all files that were locally stored in my laptop. I deleted the folder in dropbox and everything dissapeared from my hard drive too. I am still strugling to recover them. The folder was over 10GB so it was "deleted for ever". 

      After this I completely removed Dropbox from my laptop and guess what: whatever I save in the "Documents" folder, still appears to be in a dropbox path. Technician told me I have to do a whole format of my laptop to get rid of that.

      What can I say, this is an absolut shame you Dropbox guys.

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