Can I remove my computer backup folders from the site?

[Jimbo500]

All my files were transferred to dropbox in error and having stopped the backup, they appear to have been put back on the PC.  MY PC folder still remains on dropbox. Can I safely delete it without removing the folders and files from the PC?

[Jay]

Hi @Jimbo500, thanks for joining the Community!

It sounds like you enabled the automatic computer backup feature in the Dropbox desktop application.

If you're sure you've disabled the computer backup from Dropbox using the steps in the above article, you can move the folders and files back to their previous locations, which will also delete them from the Dropbox account online.

Let me know how it goes!

[Jimbo500]

Thank you Jay.  I am happy autobackup is now disabled but what is confusing me is the fact that all my files appear to be back on the PC but the folder is still present in dropbox , despite having rebooted.  Having stopped the backup, I received notification that all the files had been deleted from dropbox.

Moving them to C drive does not seem to be an option if they are already there!

[Jay]

If the files are still in the Dropbox folder, then either you've copied them back to their old locations, or haven't moved them.

Could you try moving them out of the Dropbox folder on the machine? This will start the deletion process on the site when the app syncs the changes.

[Jimbo500 · Accepted solution]

I did a complete backup to my ext HD and ensured they were all there then deleted the folder in dropbox.  It had transferred all the files back and left only a shortcut to the documents in the folder.  All safe and thank you for the time  spent in assisting me.

Best Regards

Jim

[Jay]

Glad to hear it's working again, @Jimbo500. Enjoy your weekend!