Hi, I've been trying to figure out how to relocate my Downloads folder to my MacOS and I just don't understand how. Even in order to see my Downloads folder in my Desktop Dropbox Folder location, I have to right click my Downloads folder and select "show in enclosing folder" and then it shows up in transparency. I want my Downloads folder out of Dropbox without loosing its contents. I also want to be able to make sure I don't screw up anything concerning what makes everything save there by default when downloaded. Thank you ahead of time, E.

Hey NAustMal - sorry to hear about this. Is it possible that you had enabled the Dropbox Backup feature at some point in the past perhaps? If so, did you disable it before deleting or uninstalling the Dropbox desktop app from your computer?

So I’m terrible because since I leftMegan hanging two years ago, I don’t remember the outcome of this rabbit hole.I get the feeling that it came down to having turned on the Backup feature accidently once and it kind of acted like iCloud acts on MacOS.. it basically syncs everything and when you delete it from your computer, it deletes it everywhere. It’s a mysterious concept to me as it defies the concept of backups.Anyway.. I now have my Downloads folder on my Mac and out of my Dropbox and as far as I can see/ remember, I think I blatantly dragged it into my Favorites sidebar and it's lived there ever since.

Hi 00aime , thanks for bringing this to our attention. It sounds like you've enabled the computer backup feature. Could you try disabling the Backup feature by following these steps and choose the option to 'Keep content in folders on this Mac'? Keep me updated with any progress!

Hi Jay, I've actually checked that. And it is does not seem that the computer backup feature is enabled as in the "Backups" tab in the Preferences menu, when I click on the "Manage backups" button, everything is deselected and it doesn't look like it's even set up : I'm not sure I understand the steps to take in the link you sent me as I do not want to delete A backup, I want to disable the feature. Is there something I'm missing? Furthermore, when I click the dropbox icon in my menu bar, I do not see a "Sync&Backups" Tab : Kindly advise,Thank you!

If the system Downloads folder is in the Dropbox folder, then it means the Backup feature was enabled at some point. Do you have any backups visible on this page on your account?

How to Restore Default Location of Your Personal Folders - ie. Downloads

21 Replies

Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi 00aime , thanks for bringing this to our attention.

It sounds like you've enabled the computer backup feature.

Could you try disabling the Backup feature by following these steps and choose the option to 'Keep content in folders on this Mac'?

Keep me updated with any progress!
00aime
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi Jay,

I've actually checked that. And it is does not seem that the computer backup feature is enabled as in the "Backups" tab in the Preferences menu, when I click on the "Manage backups" button, everything is deselected and it doesn't look like it's even set up :

I'm not sure I understand the steps to take in the link you sent me as I do not want to delete A backup, I want to disable the feature. Is there something I'm missing? Furthermore, when I click the dropbox icon in my menu bar, I do not see a "Sync&Backups" Tab :
Kindly advise,
Thank you!
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
If the system Downloads folder is in the Dropbox folder, then it means the Backup feature was enabled at some point.

Do you have any backups visible on this page on your account?
00aime
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi Jay,

OK that makes sense.
When I go over to that page, I see this :
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
When you click the ellipsis, do you have the option to delete the backup? This would also free up your account of the 6 GB being used up by that old backup.
00aime
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi Jay,

When I click on the ellipsis / select the backup, it does give me an option to delete it.
If I delete it, afterwards I should be able to take the Downloads folder out of Dropbox?

Thanks!
E.
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi 00aime, sorry to jump in here!

As a first step, can you clarify if you're able to locate your existing Downloads locally on the device?

Can you try to create a copy of the files inside your My Mac before you proceed with the deletion, just to be safe?
00aime
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi Megan!

Yes, the Downloads folder is in my Favorites Menu Bar in my Finder Window.
I will definitely make a copy to my Desktop before deleting anything (haha).

Thank you,
E.
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi 00aime, you could then try to download the content from the web (or copy them from your Desktop) to a new location, and then move everything there.

Once you give it a go, let me know of the results!
00aime
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago
Hi Megan,

I could indeed do that but what bothers me is that it wouldn't change the fact that my "My Mac" folder, containing my "Downloads" folder is inside my Dropbox folder on my computer. I want to restore its default location on my operating system.