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Reinstalling Dropbox App and Retaining D drive location for Dropbox folder
I recently had to reinstall Windows 10 on a desktop. I had the Dropbox folder installed on my D drive, which is a separate physical drive (not a partition) from my C drive. The Dropbox app was instal...
MWilcox wrote:
The wording is "In which folder do you want the Dropbox folder?" I selected D:\user\me\Dropbox, and now I have a "new" Dropbox folder within my old Dropbox folder, both on D.
The question was asking what folder do you want your Dropbox folder to be located in; not what folder do you want your files in. Basically, you told it to create a new Dropbox folder inside your existing one. What you wanted to select was D:\user\me, and then Dropbox would have detected the existing folder and asked if you wanted to use it.
You likely have two options.
Exit the Dropbox application then uninstall it. Delete the newly created D:\user\me\Dropbox\Dropbox folder, being sure not to delete your original folder. Reinstall Dropbox again and when selecting a location for the Dropbox folder, be sure to select the folder ABOVE your existing Dropbox folder, so D:\user\me. Dropbox should ask if you want to use the existing folder.
The other option is how I move my Dropbox folder to a new computer, rather than re-downloading everything.
Uninstall Dropbox. Rename your existing Dropbox folder to Dropbox_OLD or similar. Reinstall Dropbox and select the location that you want for the Dropbox folder (D:\user\me). When the installation is finished, Dropbox will immediately start to sync. Exit the Dropbox application so syncing stops. Move the content of Dropbox_OLD into the newly created Dropbox folder. When the move is complete, and not before, launch Dropbox again.
At this point Dropbox will begin indexing all of your files. This process will take a while, especially if you have a lot of data to go through. During this time it may say that files are uploading or downloading, but it's only transferring comparison data and any changes that it finds. Be patient and LET IT WORK.
OK, I have uninstalled/reinstalled Dropbox. I selected Advance Settings during the installation setup and it did ask where I wanted to place the Dropbox folder. The wording is "In which folder do you want the Dropbox folder?" I selected D:\user\me\Dropbox, and now I have a "new" Dropbox folder within my old Dropbox folder, both on D. The old Dropbox folder has the plain Dropbox icon (five blue diamonds in v-shape) next to it. The "new" Dropbox folder has the generic windows yellow folder icon next to it, but also a blue circle with what looks like a white square next to it. It is now syncing my files into this "new" Dropbox folder. I did not see any place where the Dropbox installation setup can be directed to recognize an existing Dropbox folder. I assume I can merge these two Dropbox folders, but I would think the surviving folder needs to be the new one, correct?
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorHi MWilcox, before I answer your question, could you send me a few screenshots of what you described, in order for me to have a visual too?
Although, I do think you're correct.
Megan, here is my D Drive showing the two Dropbox folders and their symbols. The "new" Dropbox folder is still syncing.
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