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Forum Discussion

Tek Nomad's avatar
Tek Nomad
Explorer | Level 4
4 years ago

How to STOP Dropbox from deleting files on my computer if I delete them from DB?

I am a new user and while setting up to backup my Mac pictures folder, a really TERRIFYING notice popped up. It stated that if I delete any pictures from DB then those would also be deleted from my c...
Computer Backup
Delete
desktop
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sync
Tek Nomad's avatar
Tek Nomad
Explorer | Level 4
4 years ago

OK, Walter, Jay

I have disabled the syncing backup feature. However, all of my files show that these are in DB somewhere?

 

QUESTIONS:

1) If I move the files back to where they should be on my Mac can I cause erasure of the files?

2) If I delete the files from my DB account, in an effort to start over, will they then be deleted from my computer? If so, HOW do I stop that?

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
4 years ago
What option did you choose when you disabled the computer backup feature Tek Nomad?

Was it to 'keep content in folders on your computer' or to 'leave content in Dropbox'?
  • Tek Nomad's avatar
    Tek Nomad
    Explorer | Level 4
    4 years ago

    I chose to keep the contents on my computer Walter.

    I still see virtually all of my files in a DB folder on my computer. However, I am not sure that they are actually still there. 

    This is so terribly frustrating!

    I simply want to keep all of my files on my computer and delete whatever DB has uploaded. Then manually upload important files to the DB cloud. 

     

    Thanks for your help!

    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      4 years ago
      Sorry to jump in here, Tek Nomad.

      At the moment, where are you able to access and open your desktop files from? Your Dropbox folder?

      If so, and since computer backup is disabled, you are free to move them back to their original locations.

      Once that's done, you can move to your Dropbox folder only the files you want to have on Dropbox.
      • Tek Nomad's avatar
        Tek Nomad
        Explorer | Level 4
        4 years ago

        Thanks very much, Hannah. I appreciate the reply. 

        What I simply DO NOT understand is why DB moved my files/folders in the first place. 

        This seems like a really convoluted way to do syncing. 

        My Mac Time Machine simply backs up the system—period. No fuss, no muss, no worries!

        This is one heck of a hassle! Not to mention worrying about anything "missing" (as in buried somewhere) on my large drive. 

         

        Thanks again! 

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