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Forum Discussion
Unable to stop or turn off desktop backup [SOLVED]
A while ago I turned on the new 'backup desktop/documents/downloads' feature. Now I want to turn it off, but I can't. There's no obvious 'turn this feature off' button. All the instructions I've seen...
So, for anybody who happens to stumble upon this - here is how you can solve it.
1. Move your Dropbox folder - I found this solution accidentally, because my PC was getting full and I decided to move my Dropbox folder to another partition, but you could move it anywhere. Go into the Dropbox app, click on the picture of you, select 'preferences' , then 'sync' and then select the option to move your Dropbox folder. Just put it in a different location. Doing this will nuke your desktop. But do not panic. You will not lose any data.
2. Re-create your Desktop - i.e. make a folder called 'Desktop', in C:\Users\YourName\'.
3. Copy or move all your old desktop files from the Dropbox folder called 'My PC blah blah whatever \ Desktop' to your actual Desktop. This will get your desktop back, and Dropbox will no longer sync it, because it will be looking at the 'My PC' files.
4. Do steps 2-3 for the Downloads and Documents folders.
5. Get coffee.
Thanks Caspar. I know it's not your fault, and you're doing your best to help. But this is an absolute mess from Dropbox. I've managed to get my Desktop back, but there's no way I can find to turn off the sync Desktop/Downloads/Documents option that doesn't just delete it all over again. I'm just going to live with this as it is, because the hassle of trying to fix it will take too long and I've got more important things to do. But this is an absolutely massive screw-up.
Thanks for your help anyway!
So, for anybody who happens to stumble upon this - here is how you can solve it.
1. Move your Dropbox folder - I found this solution accidentally, because my PC was getting full and I decided to move my Dropbox folder to another partition, but you could move it anywhere. Go into the Dropbox app, click on the picture of you, select 'preferences' , then 'sync' and then select the option to move your Dropbox folder. Just put it in a different location. Doing this will nuke your desktop. But do not panic. You will not lose any data.
2. Re-create your Desktop - i.e. make a folder called 'Desktop', in C:\Users\YourName\'.
3. Copy or move all your old desktop files from the Dropbox folder called 'My PC blah blah whatever \ Desktop' to your actual Desktop. This will get your desktop back, and Dropbox will no longer sync it, because it will be looking at the 'My PC' files.
4. Do steps 2-3 for the Downloads and Documents folders.
5. Get coffee.
cant find my picture on the drop box ap or preferences! not even sure i have an app now, doesn't look like an app, just a file.. I need help.
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hey rhondaredcat, I hope you're doing great this Friday!
Can I ask for some more info in regards to the issue you're experiencing?
Do you have issues with our Computer Backup feature?
Keep me posted! - I deleted it all, gave up! what happened i think that dropbox got my desktop, documents and downloads, then I was over my limit and couldnt figure how to get those things out so i could use it, Thanks for trying to help me Maybe ill eventually get up the courage to try again
Thanks for this solution.
Seems the only viable solution so far.
Thanks so much dude. This solution calmed my anger and restored my photoshop from being torn to pieces by dropbox, and the rest of my desktop seems recovered as well
Thank you!!This solution is great, though it is obvious to me that Dropbox DOESN'T want you to do that.They designed this 'feature' as a slippery way to get your data there. I hate that way it works. I wish I was never in my dropbox. I have other programs for backup NOT Dropbox. dropbox is a way to transfer files, not backup my data.
Sorry you experienced this. I hope Dropbox is listening. I will no longer pay for dropbox as long as they annoying "feature" is in it. It is invasive in my opinion.
Boominski you are a genius!! It has taken me all day to figure out why suddenly my dropbox is full and remains that way despite moving everything out if it! So annoying to see it continue to upload files as I remove others. I never asked Dropbox to start backing up my Mac nor did I want it to. I have other ways of backing it up.
A major fail on Dropbox's part.
Thanks again Boominski!! you save my sanity!
Dude, you saved us with this fix. Thank you so much. We have been a week trying to get this rectify on our computer. If we had money you would get it.
Thanks,
Christopher & Brett
