Learn how to make the most out of the Dropbox Community here 💙!
Forum Discussion
Can't backup a folder because it's not in default location (it is, I think)
I had used Dropbox before, worked great. I had to reinstall it to today because of reasons. When I wanted to set it up again, I checked to backup the Documents folder but got the message below. Also, in my File Explorer, the option to "Backup to Dropbox" is no longer there.
I have the same issue.. My laptop is Macbook Pro M3 Max. Can you let me know if you found a solution to this? Thank you very much
Hello.
Unfortunately as this was 2 years ago and I stopped using Dropbox, I don't remember the details.
I think that, for some reason, probably for being previously a user of many other drives (i think the main cause of the issue was onedrive, but possibly the mega app too), I had different "Documents" folders. One in the Documents location, and one or two in other locations.
I don't remember how I fixed the issue. First, I probably reinstalled the dropbox app (try both before and after these steps). But, it was probably one of these two:
- Instead of backing up the Documents folder, i left it unchecked, and manually set the folders I wanted to back up to back up (go to file explorer, right click, youll find there, at least in windows).
- Playing around with the Documents folders I had. Renaming some, replacing, deleting, until only one remained in the default docs location, but I DON'T think this is what I did. If remember correctly, all the months I was using Dropbox, I was syncing from the randomly located "Documents folder."
- I jist remembered this one, I think this couldve been it, along with the reinstalling: Deleting OneDrive and Mega completely from my system, not just disabling them. I think Onedrive caused a lot of issues.
I don't use Mac, never did. Perhaps the issue for you is iCloud (instead of OneDrive), or another default way the system is backing up files. Good luck.
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Sorry to see that you're having this issue, hejlightyear.
Can you let us know where your Dropbox folder is currently located?
What's the exact error message that you're getting? Can you send us a screenshot?
Thanks.
Thank you, Hannah! Here's the screenshot.
- Megan
Hi EnAr, happy Monday, let's look into this!
Can you clarify the app's current syncing status, along with the version of the app that you're using there? We want to make sure that the app is using the latest stable version, and that it is up to date.
Also, what do you see when you visit your Backup page online?
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
The Dropbox icon in the taskbar is clean, when I open the small window it says Your files are up to date
I'm using version 173.4.6706
This is the image of the page that opened when I clicked your link:
- Rich
Super User II
EnAr wrote:
Can't backup a folder because it's not in default locationWhat is the exact path of your Documents folder? The default location on a Windows system would be C:\Users\[your username]\Documents. If that's not where the folder is located, you'll need to move it back before Dropbox can back it up (which actually just moves it to the local Dropbox folder so it can sync).
Go into Properties for your Documents folder and check the Location tab.
