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daveg0321's avatar
daveg0321
Explorer | Level 4
4 years ago

Uninstalled Dropbox, Dropbox deleted my windows 10 downloads folder

hi, help! I uninstalled dropbox with revo uninstaller and it removed the entire windows 10 "downloads" folder. Now when i click on downloads i get an error in windows 10 saying "the location is unavailable". what should i do? :*(

  • Hi daveg0321, thanks for posting today.

    I understand you concern over these missing files. Generally, we don't recommend using third party uninstallers to remove Dropbox, as issues like this could occur.

    It sounds like you had enabled the automatic computer backup feature in the Dropbox desktop application.

    Do you know if that app also deleted the Dropbox folder on your machine, or just the app itself?

    This will help me to assist further.
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hi daveg0321, thanks for posting today.

    I understand you concern over these missing files. Generally, we don't recommend using third party uninstallers to remove Dropbox, as issues like this could occur.

    It sounds like you had enabled the automatic computer backup feature in the Dropbox desktop application.

    Do you know if that app also deleted the Dropbox folder on your machine, or just the app itself?

    This will help me to assist further.
    • daveg0321's avatar
      daveg0321
      Explorer | Level 4

      Hi Jay, thanks for replying. 

       

      I managed to fix the issue i was having. Sorry to trouble you ðŸ™‚ Had to reinstall dropbox, sync the folders back up, then uninstall it through windows. 

       

      Yes, the trouble was 3rd party uninstallers (in this case revo) and its particularly violent scrubbing


      Thanks!

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        Thanks for letting me know you were able to locate your files daveg0321!

        Enjoy your week ahead!
    • jiujitsujim's avatar
      jiujitsujim
      New member | Level 2

      Posting for anyone who has the same issue with a Mac...

       

      When I Deleted dropbox (just put it in trash and emptied the trash as instructed) it also deleted the 'Downloads', 'Desktop' and 'Documents' folders from the hard drive ( ...Users/yourUsername/ or just Cmd+Shift+H in Finder)

       

      Then there were only (locked) links that redirected to the dropbox file locations. Because they were locked, I could not delete the links nor would it allow me to create new file folders with those names. To unlock, select the icon and select File > Get Info (or Cmd+I), click the box unlock and delete the link. The Mac will automatically create a new file folder (except it didn't do it for Desktop so I had to create that one manually)

      • noah-beep's avatar
        noah-beep
        New member | Level 2

        Same issue here but I didn't use a third party uninstaller, I lost all my downloads and when I downloaded one thing... It was all gone 😞 Please help!!! Please tell me dropbox can help

    • francisact's avatar
      francisact
      New member | Level 2

      I've used revo uninstaller for a decade and never had any issues. Who let you guys integrate into my windows and take control of all my files? 
      All my precious files have now gone missing. You should go to court for this act and I hope you pay for this!

      • Megan's avatar
        Megan
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hi francisact, I am sorry to hear about that, let's see what I can do on my end about this! 

         

        Keep in mind that when you uninstall the app, your Dropbox folder remains on your device, unless you choose to delete it. 

         

        You mentioned that you used revo uninstaller to remove Dropbox from your device. Is it possible that this third-party app also deleted all traces of Dropbox, therefore your Dropbox folder too?

         

        Based on what you mentioned, I feel like you might have had Computer backup enabled on your device, could that be the case? Have you checked your deleted files page, along with your events page, to see what you can find there? 

         

        Let me know more! 

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