New install deleting all file

[Tumteetum]

I installed Dropbox on a new computer and it slowly started deleting all my files. I think it's because it sees the new instal as having no files and syncs the whole account FROM that rather than syncing TO that as I had expected it to do. I have managed to recover the files but have had to disconnect the new computer from the internet so I doesn't happen again. Any advice on how to install dropbox on new computer so it downloads the files to that (or some other method) would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Megan]

Hey @Tumteetum, welcome to our Community! 

Can you clarify where your files were deleted from?

When you install the app on a device, it starts syncing the content you have online in a newly created folder called "Dropbox".

That shouldn't affect the content you have on your device at all, or interfere with it. 

Is there a possibility that you've enabled our Computer backup feature?

Keep me posted. 

[Tumteetumtum]

Hi Lori

The files are deleted from the dropbox folders - from the dropbox application on my desktop and also in dropbox cloud (I logged in on chrome and the files were all in the deleted files section showing deleted by me/my username).

Don't thin I enabled 'computer backup'.

I think (but not sure) it's something to do with installing dropbox and creating the dropbox folder, which at the point in time will be empty,  and the cloud dropbox sees that and thinks I've deleted my files. I am going to try and copy my files to a usb and paste them manually into the new dropbox folder.

[Tumteetum]

So I uninstalled/reinstaled dropbox and it seems to be working now (downloading the files). I think it must have been the computer backup option because I selected not now the second time (not sure what I selected first time). 👍

[Jay]

Hi @Tumteetum, I'm glad to hear you were able to resolve the issue.

Additionally, you might have a second Dropbox account, since there are two usernames in this forum, so I'm not sure if this could be related to the matter.