Desktop not in default location

[cjohnston22]

Recently merged filed from old computer to new computer.  Downloaded DropBox to new computer and when attempting to setup automatic backup for new device, the following error message is received...  

[Hannah]

Hey @cjohnston22, thanks for reaching out to the Dropbox Community.

When you say you merged files from an old computer, are you referring to files in the 'desktop' folder or your Dropbox folder?

What is currently the location of both the 'desktop' and the Dropbox folder? Can you send us a screenshot of the folder paths?

Thanks in advance.

[alitchfi]

I have the same issue. New computer and setting up back up for the first time (Mac OS 13.2.1). Presuming Apple know how to set up directories on their systems, my guess is that Dropbox is missing something.

[Jay]

Hi @alitchfi, according to Finder, when you right click the Desktop and Documents folders, and then choose 'Get info', where is the exact location of these folders?

[alitchfi]

OK, this is a bit weird but it looks as though Dropbox has created symlinks to all the standard local user account directories. For example:

/Users/[username]/Desktop -> /Users/[username]/Dropbox/[computerName]/Desktop

But the Finder reports an Alias pointing to

/Users/[username]/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/[computerName]/Desktop

This applies to the following folders in the user folder: Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Dropbox, Movies, Music, OneDrive, and Pictures.

How is this resolved please?

[alitchfi]

And yes, Dropbox has symlinked itself to itself.

[Jay]

Thanks for the info, I'd recommend contacting the support team to look into this matter further.