If Dropbox goes down, how do I access my desktop files?

Rico S · ‎06-29-2022

Maybe I'm dense, but according to instructions the primary file location is Dropbox and the icons on my desktop are just shortcuts to it. So if Dropbox is down, does that mean my files are inaccessible?

Rich · ‎06-29-2022

@Rico S wrote:

Maybe I'm dense, but according to instructions the primary file location is Dropbox and the icons on my desktop are just shortcuts to it. So if Dropbox is down, does that mean my files are inaccessible?

The Dropbox folder is still a local folder like any other on your computer and exists on your local hard drive. As long as your files are set to Local and not Online-only, you'll still be able to access them if you lose your connection to Dropbox. If the files are marked as Online-only, then you wouldn't be able to access them without access to the Dropbox servers.

View solution in original post

Rich · ‎06-29-2022

@Rico S wrote:

Maybe I'm dense, but according to instructions the primary file location is Dropbox and the icons on my desktop are just shortcuts to it. So if Dropbox is down, does that mean my files are inaccessible?

The Dropbox folder is still a local folder like any other on your computer and exists on your local hard drive. As long as your files are set to Local and not Online-only, you'll still be able to access them if you lose your connection to Dropbox. If the files are marked as Online-only, then you wouldn't be able to access them without access to the Dropbox servers.

Rico S · ‎06-29-2022

Are my files in the basic version of Dropbox Backup "local only" by default, or are they only online and I have to purchase a premium version to make them local only?

Mark · ‎06-29-2022

Local only is default. You have to actively make them online only etc.

You can test it by disabling your wifi for a few seconds 🙂

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xian1 · ‎06-29-2022

Is it recommended to reboot and reinstall the software? How about logging in again?

Walter · ‎06-29-2022

Hey @xian1, could you provide some additional information?

Are you having a specific issue that's troubling you?

Walter
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support

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If Dropbox goes down, how do I access my desktop files?

If Dropbox goes down, how do I access my desktop files?

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