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I see duplicate Dropbox folders on Windows, after reinstalling the desktop app, and they both sync
Hi there
I had a problem where I noticed one day about a month or so ago that my backup of my current computer had disappeared so couldnt access any files from my computer on my phone. The only way I could see to fix it was to reinstall dropbox on my computer which it fix the backup problem. However I now have a problem on my computer where my windows explorer shows two indentical dropbox folders. How do I remove of them without losing any files? Anything I do to one of the folders affects the other, they both have the same files and both sync. Thanks in advance.
Hi Megan
My husband has just managed to sort everything out for me. Thank you both for your help.
edit:
For me it turned out that Id been using a downloaded version of dropbox on my computer and when I uninstalled it to fix my back up problem I then reinstalled dropbox using the microsoft app version of dropbox instead. That caused me to have two identical dropbox folders that were both syncing. To fix it we uninstalled dropbox again and then reinstalled using the downloaded version again and it fixed my duplicate folder problem.
The problem i was having where i was getting the message on the last screenshot about my folders were not in the defaut location, my husband googled some hidden commands in the dropbox application that allowed you to reset the default location which fixed that problem. I dont remember what is was now though im afraid.
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- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Xariel, welcome to our Community!
What you mention is quite odd indeed.
Can you send me a screenshot showing the two Dropbox folders you see with their syncing icons?
What’s their filepath on your computer?
I’d also like to know the syncing status and app version of the Dropbox app there.
Keep me posted.
Hi Nancy
Here is screenshot.
They both have the filepath C:\Users\dream - they both look the same as the one shown in the screenshot
I think the version on my computer is v199.4.6287
- Megan
Hey Xariel, thanks for the screenshot!
Would you be able to also check the app's preferences, and more specifically your Sync tab to check if the Dropbox folder path is the same one as the one you see on your screenshot?
Hi Megan
Here is the screenshot.
Thank you
- Hannah
Hey Xariel, thanks for the screenshot.
Is the path of the other Dropbox folder exactly the same?
If you click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray and then on the folder icon next to your avatar, the app should open your actual syncing Dropbox folder.
Also, I want to point out that the sync icons on the files in your first screenshot don't look like Dropbox icons, but OneDrive ones.
Can you disable OneDrive and let me know if the Dropbox icons come back?
Hi Hannah
Yes both folders have the same filepath. When I click on the dropbox icon in the system tray the folder directs me to the bottom folder. In this screenshot.
My Onedrive wasnt connected to any account but ive uninstalled it anyway. Doesnt look like anything changed. The screenshot above was after I uninstalled onedrive.
Thank you
Yes Ive seen that both folders are just blank white page icons but not sure why. I added a blank new text doc to the bottom folder and it appeared in both folders and on the dropbox.com
- Nancy
Hi Nancy
Here are the two screenshots.
When I uninstalled dropbox I just went to the programs and features and uninstalled it from there. I must have reinstalled it a different way as i cant see it in the list this time in the programs and features. I didnt delete anything anything else at the time. Do I need to try and uninstall it the way you linked and then reinstall again?
