Forum Discussion

MelvisWeb's avatar
MelvisWeb
New member | Level 2
2 months ago

What does "rename your existing folder" actually do when reinstalling?

Application Affected
(Dropbox)
Device
(Powerspec PC)
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
(Windows 10)
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
(236.4.5918)

Question or Issue
I've seen a couple of questions bring this up but it never gets answered. I'm in the middle of the loop with reinstallation after having to go to a hard drive clone and it's telling me "There's already a a folder or file named Dropbox." The location where I sent it is the parent folder of "Dropbox" so it's in the location where I want it. 

I just want to know what happens if I click "Rename"? What does Dropbox do with the old files, and what will it do AFTER it renames the folder? Will it redownload all my files to a new folder? Will the old folder still be there? Will it actually try to merge the files? Please give me details so I can understand the entire process and not lose my files.

And I assume that if I click "Choose another location" and I just create a new folder for it, Dropbox will download my entire Dropbox to that new location, correct?

Thank you!

18 Replies

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 months ago

    Hey MelvisWeb!

    If you could quit it, and try again that'd be great. I'll be waiting for your updates! 

  • MelvisWeb's avatar
    MelvisWeb
    New member | Level 2
    2 months ago

    I've quit OneDrive but I still see this in the Resources list. Also, I'm leaving work right now for the day, so I'll have to take this up again tomorrow morning.

    Thanks so much!

     

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    2 months ago
    MelvisWeb wrote:

    I've rebooted, quit Dropbox and ended the process, paused my backup program, paused OneDrive, signed out of Adobe and ended all Creative Cloud processes ...

    Use something like OpenedFilesView to identify all open files and what process has them open.

  • MelvisWeb's avatar
    MelvisWeb
    New member | Level 2
    2 months ago

    There we go! I think that will help, thanks Rich.

    I closed and reopened Explorer window and at each step as I tried to rename the folder I refreshed OFV and nothing changed at any one of those steps, so it must be one of these items thats' affecting it. Does anyone know what they are without me killing them randomly and potentially screwing something up?

  • MelvisWeb's avatar
    MelvisWeb
    New member | Level 2
    2 months ago

    Also, if you have a suggestion of one of the items in that to do something about, help me know which of the options below I'm supposed to do. We're getting into territory I know nothing about now. 

     

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 months ago

    Hi MelvisWeb, we wouldn't be able to give any advice on this either for the same reason. 

    I'll leave this thread open for other users to post their suggestions.

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