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Efreken7's avatar
Efreken7
Helpful | Level 5
5 years ago

Desktop files/pictures disappeared after uninstalling - Mac OS 10.14.6

Hi Jay. There are a few similar queries but none seems to offer a practical solution to my frustrating problem.    After removing/uninstalling a recent 'Dropbox' application (and removing/emptyin...
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  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    5 years ago

    Just jumping in here too, hey there Efreken7!

     

    On a Mac device, dragging an app to the trash will uninstall the app for you. 

     

    This means that you can do a fresh install of the app from our website here.

     

    During the setup of the app, it will ask if you want to set up the computer backup. From that window, you can choose to just enable this for the Desktop and not any other folder.

     

    Let me know if this helps Lance!

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
5 years ago

Hi Efreken7; welcome to our Community and happy Monday!

 

As it seems like you've enabled the computer backup feature, we'll first need to clarify if you disabled the feature before uninstalling the desktop application from your computer. 

 

Could you take a look at the relevant Help Center article and let us know if it helps?

 

Thanks!

  • Efreken7's avatar
    Efreken7
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    Walter. Thank you again for your input.

     

    Finally got my desktop and all its files back again!

     

    Regards, lance

  • Efreken7's avatar
    Efreken7
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have read the Help Center Article. 

    Dropbox was fully installed initially. I then simply dragged the Dropbox icons to the trash. I did not uninstall. I do not believe that i disabled anything at all .. either before installing or after.  I have attached two pictures. I. Desktop picture upon logging in.. no files in there, only "mackintosh HD" in the top corner, and 2. my Finder page. Clicking on 'Desktop' only bring a few old files but these do not appear on the main page. 

     

    Does my reply make sense. I am only reasonably tech savvy unfortunately.

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      5 years ago

      Hi Efreken7, it sounds like you've deleted the Dropbox folder, without disabling the computer backup first, so this is why the desktop files are missing.

       

      Can you try recovering the missing files from this page to see if they sync back to your machine.

      • Efreken7's avatar
        Efreken7
        Helpful | Level 5
        5 years ago

        Jay. That seems very plausable. I did not disable the compter backup..  Checked, but "no recentlydeleted files". 

         

        Actually I am not too concerned at losing the files etc that were on the desktop, but would certainly like the ability to again post things to the Desktop page. Thanks.

         

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