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ainstushar's avatar
ainstushar
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

Dropbox moving my documents folder

Hi guys, I just tried the latest beta feature that allows me to backup my mac's folders.   The issue is that when I select to backup my documents folder, dropbox just moves my entire documents fo...
Computer Backup
desktop
sync
Lusil's avatar
Lusil
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
6 years ago

Hello ainstushar, welcome to the Dropbox Community. 

 

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback regarding our computer backup feature - we greatly appreciate it. 

 

If any issues come up that you'd like to troubleshoot or you have any other questions for us, don't hesitate to give us another nudge. 

 

In the meantime, I hope you have a lovely day ahead!

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

    I just went through this setup and didn't realize it. When I realized I was backing up all my files and was going to exceed my storage limit, I cancelled the sync, updated the preferences to not include My Mac and proceeded to delete the files. Unfortunately, I wasn't aware that the setup process moved the contents of my system based, "Documents" folder in to the Dropbox folder itself! Imagine my surprise when I tried to find a file today, but it was no longer there.  But the directory pointed me to the deleted Dropbox folder.  Now I can't even find it in the Trash, because the deleted file only contains aliases to the folder hierarchy.  I understand the logic in this, but the step was definitely not clear in the setup. I need considerable assistance to recover these files now. Please help!!!

    • wulh's avatar
      wulh
      Explorer | Level 4
      5 years ago

      any solution for this ? I also have the same problems, and want to get back all my files which I have prepared for them almost 2 months. . 

      • paulienat's avatar
        paulienat
        Explorer | Level 4
        5 years ago
        Is the way dropbox works...even if I still can't believe it moves your files without any warning. Basically it creates an alias folder in the original position and moves the files that are supposed to be copied under the main Dropbox folder.

        I work with many software that have preferences and other important files in the documents folder and dropbox did a mess with this smart move.

        So basically I've located the original documents folder, moved back (command-drag) to its original position and then I deleted the alias created by Dropbox.

        Then I said Ciao to Dropbox. 🙂 I'll use Google Drive for automatic backup

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