New docs are saved on Desktop but not on my PC

[GaleAbraham]

Suddenly, when I save any new or downloaded PDF or Word document, it is only saved at Dropbox (the 2 arrows in a blue circle) and not on my PC (the V in a green circle). Before it was always saved at both.

[Megan]

Hi @GaleAbraham, let's jump right into this! 

Do you mean that now your new documents are only available inside your Dropbox folder, and not in their respective paths outside of the folder, or do you have some concerns in regards to the icons of the files? 

You mentioned that your new docs are saved in your Desktop, but not on your PC. Do you refer, and have enabled our Backup feature, by any chance? 

Based on what you mentioned, both the syncing arrows, and the green checkmark seem to be Dropbox icons.  

Keep me posted!

[GaleAbraham]

Hi Megan,

As of yesterday, when I downloaded any PDF or Word document into my computer, or scanned any PDF document, I had two listings of the same such single document in my Libraries>Documents folder (Windows 7), one with the syncing arrows, and the other with the green checkmark icons. Today, I have only one document listed as downloaded in the folder, with the syncing arrows. I checked my PC memory and it contains enough free space. Are the syncing arrows to mean that the document is downloaded (saved) to Dropbox, and the missing doc listing with a green checkmark means that it is not downloaded/saved on my PC hard drive memory?

Abe

[Megan]

Hi @GaleAbraham, how did you download your documents?

Also, are the files you're talking about inside your Dropbox folder? If so, then it means that the file is in the process of updating, and the changes are being synced.

You also mentioned a green checkmark, is this the one you're talking about? 

If so, and as the Help Center mentions: A white circle with a green border and a green checkmark means that a file or folder was opened (directly or with a third-party application) and synced. It also represents files uploaded from the computer you are using.

“Synced” means that any changes you made to this file or folder are reflected everywhere you access your files in Dropbox. While this file or folder is stored on your device, it can be made online-only by right-clicking and selecting Make online-only.

Therefore it is stored locally on the device.

[GaleAbraham]

Hi Megan,

These are documents' icons:

Until yesterday, downloaded documents had an icon of a solid green circle with a white checkmark. Meaning they are available both on my computer memory and also on Dropbox?

Today, documents that I download or scan get the solid blue circle with two white arrows going in a circle, meaning sync in progress? These icons do not change to a solid green circle with a white checkmark.

Abe

[Jay]

Hi @GaleAbraham, the blue icon means the file is still trying to sync, and hasn't yet completed.

As you mentioned you're using Windows 7, have you fully upgraded that OS, including all the Windows security upgrades?

[GaleAbraham]

Thank you, Jay.

I generally receive paper documents, scan them into PDF documents, create a Word document, and email the attached PDF and Word documents to different destinations. It worked fine, until yesterday, when all the PDF and Word docs continued syncing for hours, and when I attached them to an email, they would not, instead, displayed a red exclamation mark.

This created a problem of not reporting critical information timely.

Late at night, the docs had the check mark icon, and I was able to attach and email them.

I assume that the very long syncing is a Dropbox problem.

I have a laptop with Windows 10. I really don't like 10, and think that 7 is much better, so many of my work friends think. So I only use the laptop when I travel or to pass the time in the bathroom.

For the Windows 7 security, I use Avast, which proves to be good.

Please let me know what you mean by "upgraded that OS"? Like others, I stopped Microsoft updating 7 because the updates slow the computer and create problems.

Abe

[Megan]

Hi @GaleAbraham, what Jay meant is if you upgraded your OS to a latest update. 

Also, based on what you mentioned, it sounds like all the files have been updated now, am I right? What is the exact syncing status of the app?