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

DolphinU1 wrote:

What do "normal" people do?

While I'd never consider myself normal, my home folder is just Rich, and it's the same on every computer that I sign in to.

I'm on Windows and the folder for our profile doesn't have as big of an impact like the home folder does on a Mac, but the premise is the same for both; home folders are meant for an individual, not the entire computer. If multiple people are using a computer it's best practice that they each have their own account, and thus, their own home folder, typically named for their username.

If a computer is replaced and relegated to a new task I may rename the computer, but if I sign in to it for something, my profile folder is still called Rich.

I'm glad to see that you're good with deleting the Dropbox app from your computer, DolphinU1.

As for renaming your home folder on your new Mac, I'm afraid there's not much we can advise you on on our end.

You could perhaps start a discussion on the Apple Community and I'll also leave this thread open, in case another Mac user has any advice for you.

Let us know if you have any other Dropbox questions!

>> 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.  

Hey DolphinU1, thanks for the update here.

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

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. 

DolphinU1 wrote:

Everything I read on the Internet tells me I must thoroughly delete Dropbox. Doing this is not easy, so far I have found around 30 files.

You're looking for an advanced reinstall, just skip the install part.

• https://help.dropbox.com/installs/advanced-reinstall#reinstallDropboxmac

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