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jdmstl23's avatar
jdmstl23
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

Had to reformat hard drive and reload new MacOS and data, now I have 2 Dropboxs on my hard drive

I am a Dropbox Plus user running a MacBook Pro, with Sonoma 14.5   Last Sunday, 06/09/24, I experienced problems with my MacBook.  Working with Apple Support, they tried to reload a new copy of t...
desktop
Folders
Install
Mac
Setting up the apps
sync
jdmstl23's avatar
jdmstl23
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

I have not upgraded to File Provider.

Hannah's avatar
Hannah
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago

Thanks, jdmstl23! 

 

So, all evidence indicates that your actual Dropbox folder is the one in Users/Username/Dropbox.

 

The other folder appears to be just a copy created probably when you restored your hard drive from the time machine backup, so you don't need that one.

 

Just keep in mind, that if you made any changes to your files in the "Dropbox (6-9-24 6/02pm)" folder, those won't sync to your account, so you'll need to copy/move them to your actual Dropbox folder.

  • jdmstl23's avatar
    jdmstl23
    Explorer | Level 3
    2 years ago

    I read thru your response.  I am sure the Dropbox shown in the screenshot is the one being updated by Dropbox, so I will delete the other one.  I started reading about if I should upgrade to Dropbox for macOS on File Provider.  I ran across a document talking about what to expect when you upgrade to File Provider.  One of the items they mentioned was "Your Dropbox folder will be moved to ~/Library/CloudStorage".   That is the name and location of the other Dropbox that is on my laptop.   This must have been something that Dropbox created, not TimeMachine.  I have not upgraded to File Provider, but somehow that got created.  

    So I assume it is OK to delete that one?  It has not being updated from Dropbox, just wanted to let you know.

    From what I read, I don't have to upgrade to File Provider right away, but once things have settled down, I will do the upgrade.

    Thanks,

    John

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hey John! Hope you don’t mind if I jump in. 

     

    Since the Dropbox folder under ~/Library/CloudStorage doesn’t seem to be currently syncing to your online account, you can go ahead and delete it indeed. 

     

    However, as Hannah mentioned above, you’ll need to double check if you updated any files within it after reinstalling the Dropbox app and transfer/copy them over to the folder that’s actually syncing before deleting the one under ~/Library/CloudStorage. You won’t lose anything this way.

  • jdmstl23's avatar
    jdmstl23
    Explorer | Level 3
    2 years ago

    Thanks to all that helped.  I did check that copy, no updates had been made, so I deleted it.  As I mentioned to Hannah, I need to upgrade to the new File Provider in the near future.  This  certainly was a learning experience for me.  I have been a Dropbox user for a number of years, but it was working great, so I wasn't keeping up with changes that were happening.  Once I was having an issue, I had to start reading many articles in the Help area and discovered many new things about Dropbox. 

    Again thanks to all that contributed.  It was much appreciated.

    John

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