When pasting files dropbox creates new copies rather than replacing

[dghuser]

I have been doing a copy/paste for files from Windows file explorer and up to recently, the files were shown as being updated.  I created a new file and tried to update it but now it creates a new copy every time I do a copy and paste for that file.  With other files, when I do a copy and paste, Dropbox says it just updates them.  How do I get Dropbox to ALWAYS replace a file when doing a copy and paste.  I follow the exact same procedure for all the files. 

[Walter]

Hey @dghuser; welcome to our Community!

Can you please let me know if you're using the new desktop application or if you're doing this in your file explorer, namely in the Dropbox folder on your computer?

Have you by any chance tried copying or moving those files? 

Keep me posted!

[Izzie_S]

Hi dghuser,

would you mind describing the process you tried a bit more in detail? Because the way i understand it, you only use the copy paste function so it doesnt sound too surprising that Dropbox creates copies of your folders. Maybe there is an option labeled "moving folders" rather than copy-pasting them?

Greetings. 

[dghuser]

I am using version V15.4.601.  I have DropBox set to open files in the file explorer.  I am doing all the activity from file explorer.  I am doing the Copy and Paste.  I am not moving the files as that removes it from my file explorer and I want to edit, copy and then paste from my computer. 

[dghuser]

I have a text file in a directory on my PC saved as versions.txt.    I right click on the file and select Copy.  I then go to the Dropbox directory and right click on the screen and select paste.  A new file is created.  Viewing the Dropbox activity with the icon in the system tray,  Dropbox says it was created. 

I then edit the original file on my PC and save it to my PC.  I then right click on the file and select Copy.  I go to the Dropbox folder and right click and select Paste.

Using the Dropbox icon on the system try it shows that it was created again and has a new link value.

On other files following the exact same procedure, Dropbox will say it was edited.

[dghuser]

I tried one more variation.  I have Dropbox displaying my files in File Explorer.  If I double click on the file in the Dropbox folder and edit it, it will show as edited when I view its status using the icon in the system tray.  The link does not change.

If I edit a file with EXACTLY the same name and extension (which I used to originally create the DropBox file) and COPY the file from its folder and PASTE it to the DropBox folder, DropBox reports that I uploaded a file and creates an entirely new file with a new link. 

I have people expecting this file to be updated and CANNOT send them the new link every time it changes.  I do not have a list of all those that view the file so this is an impossibility.  Also, there are some files that in binary format so they CANNOT be edited in the DropBox folder.

I also noticed that the old links still work even though there is only ONE version listed in DropBox and yet, I can download multiple versions using the multiple links that have been created.

I need this fixed.

[Lusil]

Hey @dghuser, do you get the same experience when you copy and paste a file via the website?

How about when you navigate through your Dropbox folder while the desktop app isn't running?

[dghuser · Accepted solution]

Thank you Lusil for the suggestions.  I tried both of your suggestions. 

First, I did not start the desktop application.

There is no copy and paste of a file into the web site.  All I can do is Upload a file which is what I did.  The result is that the file was replaced and the link did not change.  That option does work, but I would prefer NOT to have to log into Dropbox.com to upload files every time I want to update a file.

I then tried to copy and paste a changed file into my LOCAL DropBox folder when the desktop application was NOT running.  Of course, this will not work because it would not synchronize to DropBox until the desktop application is started.  I started the application and the file was synced to DropBox.  Upon checking the file, it was replaced and the link did NOT change.  So this appears to be working as well.

Based on my results, it appears I cannot have the Desktop application running until AFTER I update any files locally and then I need to start the desktop application to sync the files to the server.  Or, log into Dropbox.com and do file Uploads.

While these work, it does not explain why I have other files that I can copy to my local Dropbox folder when the desktop application is running and they do NOT change the file link.

At this point, I have grown weary of trying to get this resolved and will use one of the methods you suggested.   Thank you.