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Getting Dropbox Backup to work on my machine
I've got a desktop PC running Windows 10. I've had a free Dropbox account for some time which I've accessed solely through the web. Recently I've upgraded to the 2TB option as I want to use Dropbox to back up my documents. I've downloaded the Dropbox app. An added complication here is that I have 2 drives - the C drive is used for my software and the D drive houses my files etc. I've downloaded the Dropbox app to This PC>New Volume (D:)>Dropbox as I understand the app has to be on the same drive as the files. However when I try to start the backup process for my documents it says it cannot do it and when I click on the help link it takes me to a very complicated page which I don't understand. Could you tell me what has to be in place for the backup process to work?
Hi CathRA, the Dropbox desktop application itself can only be installed on the system drive.
The Dropbox folder can exist on another drive entirely, however. In order to enable the Dropbox Backup feature, the system folders, Desktop, Documents and Downloads need to be in their default locations in order for the backup to be initiated.
This is because those folders are then moved into the Dropbox folder directly in order to be backed up to the site.
5 Replies
- Rich
Super User II
CathRA wrote:
However when I try to start the backup process for my documents it says it cannot do it ...
In order for Dropbox to be able to back up your key folders (Desktop, Documents, Downloads, etc.) they need to be located in their default location, meaning C:\Users\[your username]\Documents. Look at the properties of your Documents folder and go to the Location tab. There should be an option to restore it back to the default location.
Once the folder is back in the default location, Dropbox will be able to back it up. It does that by MOVING your key folders into your Dropbox folder.
Thanks for your reply. I've never had my documents in my C drive. The computer is set up so only programme files are on my C drive and documents are on my D drive. I've put the Dropbox app in my D drive. is the key point that the Dropbox app and the documents have to be on the same drive?
- Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi CathRA, the Dropbox desktop application itself can only be installed on the system drive.
The Dropbox folder can exist on another drive entirely, however. In order to enable the Dropbox Backup feature, the system folders, Desktop, Documents and Downloads need to be in their default locations in order for the backup to be initiated.
This is because those folders are then moved into the Dropbox folder directly in order to be backed up to the site.
Thanks for this. it's useful to distinguish between the Dropbox app and the folder. I've checked the app is in the C systems drive with my other programme files. During the set up process I've put the folder on the D drive with my documents etc. I'm not sure what you mean by default locations. The computer was made to my specifications with 2 internal drives - the C drive for system/programme files and the D drive for documents etc. so to that extent they are in their default location with the Dropbox folder. I'll try again to set up the backup and see what happens.
