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Forum Discussion
Frank P E.
7 months agoCollaborator | Level 9
I can't point to existing Dropbox folder upon installing the desktop app on a new computer
I have an exceptionally large Dropbox folder/directory — It is over 800g with around 800,000 files. I have the Dropbox folder on its own (internal) hard drive due it its size. In the past I was able...
- 6 months ago
Yes — I am up and running, but it took the better part of a day+ to download all the files from the cloud to the local disk
Yes, I did use the advance option and told the installer use the existing dropbox location, but the installer said “no” and offered to rename it ( in this case it was e:\dropbox – I think it want to rename it to e:\dropbox-old or something like that) or pick a different location – this was a first time install, do db was never on this new computer
I don’t’ recall the "online-only" and "local" option – so once installed I had to use the file explorer to the the (sub)folder to “offline”
Frank P E.
6 months agoCollaborator | Level 9
Hello — Thanks for the help — there is a simple solution to this issue not sure what the last request would do to help
The installer should ask these simple question —
1) “I found an existing ‘Dropbox’ folder at the location specified – do you want to use it and its content?
2) Do you want the files in the Dropbox folder to be “local” or “online only”
this will fix the issue
Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
6 months agoSo, are we safe to assume that you're back up and running now Frank P E.? If not, did you try to move the Dropbox folder using these steps?
When it comes to your additional points now note that:
1. You should have the advanced option to point your Dropbox folder to an existing folder (location) on your computer upon installing the Dropbox desktop app in the first place. Did you not get that option?
2. If it's a fresh install you should get the option to choose your "online-only" and "local" files normally, but if you choose an existing folder, you can adjust your sync settings through the app's preferences for newly added files and for the existing ones, use the right click options?
- Frank P E.6 months agoCollaborator | Level 9
Yes — I am up and running, but it took the better part of a day+ to download all the files from the cloud to the local disk
Yes, I did use the advance option and told the installer use the existing dropbox location, but the installer said “no” and offered to rename it ( in this case it was e:\dropbox – I think it want to rename it to e:\dropbox-old or something like that) or pick a different location – this was a first time install, do db was never on this new computer
I don’t’ recall the "online-only" and "local" option – so once installed I had to use the file explorer to the the (sub)folder to “offline”
- Walter6 months ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
I see, thanks for keeping me in the loop on this, Frank. I'm glad to hear it's sorted now and please let us know if anything else comes up in the future.
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