How to "start all over" with Dropbox?

[WhiteErinM]

I have been experiencing sync errors on one out of the three computers where I use Dropbox. I feel I have spent quite enough time on the sync errors, and all I want to do at this point is start all over again.

What is the best way to do this, without risking the deletion of my data?  Will renaming the Dropbox folder on this computer cause the next sync to "start all over" by establishing a new folder called "Dropbox"?  Or will it merely rename the folder on all three computers? Is there another method you would recommend to "start all over" on this particular computer?

Thanks for any input!

- Erin 

Erin

[Mark · Accepted solution]

To do a complete restart on this machine personally I would:

-Unlink the current account https://www.dropbox.com/help/mobile/unlink-relink-computer-mobile
-Delete ALL files and folders relating to Dropbox (including your own data - move it to another directory if you want)
-Uninstall Dropbox via here so it has all gone https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/advanced-reinstall
-Reboot machine
-Do an *advanced reinstall* as per the uninstall link
-Let everything redownload.

[WhiteErinM]

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, the very same files that are causing the sync errors cannot be deleted "because they are in use by another program".  I have googled these file names and they appear to be related to Windows indexing. So I turned off indexing, but no love - still cannot delete them, and therefore cannot delete the Dropbox folder. I cannot even rename the Dropbox folder - same error "in use by another program".  Yes, I am logged in to Windows as admin.

This is probably not so much a Dropbox problem as it is a Windows problem. But the bottom line is, unless I want endless "cannot sync" happening, I guess I cannot use Dropbox on this computer any more 😞 

[Mark]

Have you contacted Microsoft support to ask how to disable the indexing?

[WhiteErinM]

Yes, I have disabled it and rebooted, and it still won't let me delete these files or rename the Dropbox folder. I can't imagine what other application or service could be using them. I feel like I've spent too much time on this, and I should just drop-kick the laptop into the ocean and get a new one LOL 

[WhiteErinM]

EUREKA!

It's not enough to stop indexing. You have to turn off the Windows Search service complete. Disable and STOP it. Then you can delete the files and the directory they're in.  So now my Dropbox folder is gone, and I can reboot and do the advanced reinstall.