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How to uninstall the desktop app and not lose my files?

How to uninstall the desktop app and not lose my files?

Romyo
Explorer | Level 3

How do I uninstall dropbox from my desktop (windows 10) without losing any of my own files?  I only installed it last week but I don't like it and I can't save files into my original folders. I find it very confusing and just want to get it off my computer. Any help gratefully received. Thanks Romy

9 Replies 9

Walter
Dropbox Staff

Hey @Romyo, thanks for joining our Community and happy Friday!

If you made sure that the app has finished syncing and it's showing 'up to date' in your system tray, you can go ahead and uninstall it using these steps

Your files won't be affected during that process and will remain in your Dropbox folder, which will be a local copy of your Dropbox files. 

I hope this helps, Romy!


Walter
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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Romyo
Explorer | Level 3

Hello Walter,

 

Many thanks for your response, it is most helpful.

I also want to remove the Dropbox folder from my hard drive and it says to drag it to the recycle bin.

Will this affect my own existing files or will they all still be there?! Just want to be sure before I do anything.

 

Many thanks

 

Romy

Walter
Dropbox Staff
If you have stored those files elsewhere on your computer, those will be safe, Romy. 

Remember that your Dropbox folder will be a local copy where you'd be able to copy, move or delete files as you see fit. 

Walter
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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zjoykutty
New member | Level 2

Hi there!

 

I'm trying to uninstall Dropbox from my computer, and then delete files from my Dropbox account online. I've found a few forums that provide some instruction about deleting the dropbox folder from your computer without deleting your files, but I haven't been successful in trying to follow them. One of the forums suggested changing the location of the folder back to default using "Properties", but I can't seem to find that option on my computer. I use MacOS and would really like some help deleting dropbox from my computer and then also deleting files from my Dropbox account online. I don't want to try to delete things from my account online until I delete Dropbox from my hard drive, so I don't risk losing anything. 

Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hey @zjoykutty, thanks for posting today! 

Since you need to uninstall the app, all you'd need to do would be for you to follow Walter's steps as shown here

However, it seems you have enabled our Computer backup, right? 

Feel free to disable it first, and then proceed. 

If you have any questions, I'm here.

Megan
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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jeremytylerkogan
New member | Level 2

Hello, 

 

I need to clear up space on my hard drive and I would like to remove ALL dropbox files. I can delete them but I'm concerned this will delete all files for my team. I'm no longer employed by them and have no need for their files. If I delete them, will my former team members still have access to the files? 

 

I've already deleted the Dropbox desktop app, unlinked my personal account, and stopped syncing files. Why are they still showing up in my computer storage? 

 

Thanks, 

Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hi @jeremytylerkogan, I hope you're doing well! 

Once you remove the app, the files won't get deleted automatically.

Since you've both unlinked and uninstalled the app, you can safely delete the content.

I hope this clarifies things. 

Megan
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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jclem
New member | Level 2

need to get Dropbox off my computer but not lose anything 

Nancy
Dropbox Staff

Welcome to the forum, @jclem!

 

As a first step, can you let me know whether you’ve enabled computer backup on your desktop app? 

 

If you’re not sure how to check this, you can go to your Dropbox app preferences and then, click on the Backups tab. Please send me a screenshot of what you see there.

 

Let me know when you've got more updates.


Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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