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DolphinU1's avatar
DolphinU1
Helpful | Level 7
3 months ago

Unable to completely delete the Dropbox desktop app before migrating to a new computer

I've always had good luck using Apple's migration assistant. Whenever I get a new Mac, I always change the Home Folder name. I do this because the old Mac is often repurposed to another family memb...
desktop
Mac
Uninstall
Dell_Dropbox's avatar
Dell_Dropbox
Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
3 months ago

Welcome back DolphinU1​ 

Which Dropbox files refuse to delete? Can you provide a screenshot or list? 

Did you happen to see this thread when you were browsing the forum for solutions? Someone else ran into similar problems uninstalling and there might be some overlap in the solutions

 

  • DolphinU1's avatar
    DolphinU1
    Helpful | Level 7
    3 months ago

    I cannot delete these files, there may be more. Terminal refuses to delete them also. 
    I struggle with this every time I get a new Mac. I feel like I must change the Home folder name. Google AI explains it the best. 

    AI Overview: People change their Mac's home folder name primarily for organizational reasons, such as making backups or network shares easier to identify, or to match a desired consistent username across multiple Macs. While Apple's Migration Assistant automatically handles this, individuals often prefer a specific, organized naming convention for their user accounts and home folders to align with their personal or professional workflow. 

     

    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
      3 months ago

      Hey DolphinU1, thanks for the update here.

      Have you tried the steps that Rich posted above to see if they help in your case?

      • DolphinU1's avatar
        DolphinU1
        Helpful | Level 7
        3 months ago

        >> Have you tried the steps that Rich posted <<

        Not yet, although I think I have a large amount of Dropbox deleted. It seems like with the advanced install. I can't go wrong.

        My bigger problem is I'm trying to come to grips with my desire to change the Home folder name every time I get a new Mac. I started doing this in the 1980s. My Home folders were called Quadra700, Quadra900, PowermacG3, PowermacG4, PowermacG5, MacPro2010, MacPro2012, MacPro2019, Macstudio2023 etc. Those are just my computers. Other family members have a similar scheme. I found this to be very useful when looking at a computer on a network or finding backups. 

        What do "normal" people do? As I set up this new Mac for my wife I suppose I could call the Home folder, "marysmac". Leaving NO indication of what type of Mac it is, or the year that it was purchased.  When she gets a new computer, and the old one is used for another purpose in our house, then we would have 2 "marysmac" in the house.

        Hopefully, you can see my dilemma. If I change the Home folder name, I get that organization that I want, but I have to suffer a great deal every time I get a new Mac.

        Forgetting Dropbox, it's a mild hassle to change the Home folder name, you have to create a separate administration account to do that.  

         

         

         

         

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