I want my downloads to go to the Mac and not to Dropbox

[Jamesgangcc]

This seems like it should be pretty straightforward but I can only find information on setting up dropbox to sync, syncing dropbox, using dropbox as a backup, backing up all my files to dropbox. .... When I download something, it doesn't download to my mac. It goes to Dropbox. I want to stop that. I want the downloads to go back to downloading to the computer, and not to dropbox. So, where is this secret hidden?

And in the "just simply" steps I have seen about "going to the dropbox icon on the mac and opening it" and then "going to the bottom of the window and choosing pause sync" that doesn't exist. None of that exists. When I click on the dropbox Icon, I get activity and syncing issue and my profile and preferences and whether I want to purchase more dropbox. 

PS BACKUPS are not on. I am not using dropbox to backup files (and if I am it's a surprise to me because I see nothing backed up, or noted as being backed up). 

To clarify: 

[Hannah]

Hey @Jamesgangcc, thanks for posting to the Dropbox Community.

It does sound like you enabled the backup feature, but perhaps you've somehow disabled it.

If you follow the steps in this article to disable backup, do you see a "set up" button instead of a "manage backups" one?

And what is the exact location of your Downloads folder? Is it something like "Users/<username>/Dropbox/Mac/Downloads"?

Let me know and we'll go from there.

[Jamesgangcc]

I found the Mac Downloads in my user account. I downloaded the downloads. It created a zip file. I opened the zip file. All the downloads are in a folder on the computer. Okay... but ... 

I then deleted the MAC folder that had the DOWNLOADS. (yes, I had accidentally chosen backups at least a year ago, and Dropbox was attempting to backup my externals, the computer, etc and it was huge  and taking days - there's actually an archived community posting on this). 

Back to this: 

MAC folder and MAC>Downloads gone.

Rebooted the computer. 

Went onto a stock image site to test a download. Downloaded an image. 
Image shows up in the downloads. And those are marked, wait for it 

Username>Mac>Downloads>File just like before ... however... 

Mac>Downloads no longer appear as a line item in the user account. 

So, the downloads are now marked as being in dropbox, but there isn't a folder now in my account marked mac>downloads. Nifty huh? 

[Jamesgangcc]

Yes, what used to exist on the dropbox was exactly as you described. 

[Jamesgangcc]

After I sign in, and I click on the left-hand grid I see :
Home

All Files

Recents
Starred

Photos 

Shared File requests

Deleted Files 

No back up as a choice. 

On the app in upper right, going into preferences,  I see manage backups. 

and Add a backup

I click on that and get "Let's get started." 

My Mac appears in the left side as a choice to Add as a backup. 

If I open "Let's get started" I get the documents, desktop and downloads with all the checks next to them just like I would if I were setting this up. If I un-choose them, nothing happens, greyed out set up and "not now" are the choices. 

[Jamesgangcc]

After I sign in, and I click on the left-hand grid I see :
Home

All Files

Recents
Starred

Photos 

Shared File requests

Deleted Files 

No back up as a choice. 

On the app in upper right, going into preferences,  I see manage backups. 

and Add a backup

I click on that and get "Let's get started." 

My Mac appears in the left side as a choice to Add as a backup. 

If I open "Let's get started" I get the documents, desktop and downloads with all the checks next to them just like I would if I were setting this up. If I un-choose them, nothing happens, greyed out set up and "not now" are the choices. 

[Jay]

Hi @Jamesgangcc, just for clarification, could you attach a screenshot showing the location of the Downloads folder as it appears in Finder on your device? Right clicking the folder and choosing Get info would help to locate the folder for us.

[Jamesgangcc]

I did. It's in this thread. And here it is again. It may not be from Finder, Get info, but it is the same information in a different form. 

Here it is again. Not using Finger and Get info but just capturing from downloads. 

And, please review this thread on everything I've done to date. That back up is not on; that backup isn't chosen; that manage shows up vs. setup, even though it isn't backing up; that the notice for backup is "let's get started" confirming it isn't set up; that the downloads folder is now showing empty even though there is one image I downloaded as a test.

You will see that even though this states this is still where the downloads are going, in dropbox there is no "Mac/Downloads" and that test image I downloaded (as you see above) does not appear anywhere. 

I'm sure the next step will be to uninstall and reinstall Dropbox and the dropbox app, so if that's the case, just let me know if that is what needs to be down and that all my current files and folders absolutely positively without any question will not disappear. 

I appreciate your help, but let's not start from the beginning again. 

 

 

 

 

[Jay]

Thanks for the info, I'd recommend getting in contact with the support team directly for further assistance.

Once you get a ticket ID from the automated response, please let me know the number here so I can locate it in our system.

[Jamesgangcc]

It appeared earlier that someone was helping from there. Tick tock tick tock. The usual. I don't have the energy to start over a third time. Thanks anywhoo.