We're making changes to the Community, so you may have received some notifications - thanks for your patience and welcome back. Learn more here.
Forum Discussion
I unlinked my computer from Dropbox and now a lot of my desktop files are gone
Thanks in advance! I recently took an online art class, that the teacher uses Dropbox to send us her files. I clicked the link and created an account. Dropbox installed on my computer and cell (which...
Thanks to both people who helped me with ideas. The files weren't in trash but I found some of them inside a Dropbox folder and was able to go in and drag them out on the desktop. I will give up on the others.
I removed Dropbox from my cellphone apps and from the desktop programs.
The community is amazing for helping me! Thanks again!
Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey deltastar, thanks for joining us on the Dropbox Community!
It seems that during the installation of the Dropbox application, you turned on 'computer backup', which backs up your desktop files to Dropbox.
At this point, it would be best to link the computer back to the application and allow it to finish syncing.
You can see the syncing status by hovering your mouse over the small Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar.
Have you also checked the Dropbox folder in your Finder/File explorer for your desktop files? Whatever files sync to your Dropbox, should appear there.
You can also check the deleted files page in your account.
Then, once syncing is finished, you should be able to turn off computer backup safely.
Let me know how it goes!
It seems that during the installation of the Dropbox application, you turned on 'computer backup', which backs up your desktop files to Dropbox.
At this point, it would be best to link the computer back to the application and allow it to finish syncing.
You can see the syncing status by hovering your mouse over the small Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar.
Have you also checked the Dropbox folder in your Finder/File explorer for your desktop files? Whatever files sync to your Dropbox, should appear there.
You can also check the deleted files page in your account.
Then, once syncing is finished, you should be able to turn off computer backup safely.
Let me know how it goes!
Hi, Hannah,
Thanks for a reply.
I have 40 GB of photos in my files alone without all the other things. Wouldn't it be over the limits of a free account and time consuming? Wanted in put before I started this. It could be creating another problem.
I don't plan on using Dropbox after this. I just want my files back.
Thanks!!!
- JayHi deltastar, did you check the deleted files page as my colleague suggested to see if the files could be recovered?
Hi Jay.... I am waiting for someone to respond to this concern that I replied back to Hannah last week . I wrote:
"I have 40 GB of photos in my files alone without all the other things. Wouldn't it be over the limits of a free account and time consuming? Wanted valuable input before I started this. It could be creating another problem.
I don't plan on using Dropbox after this. I just want my files back. Thanks!!! "
No one has addressed this concern. . Perhaps you can address this and I can get my files. I am more than stressed about this.
Thanks, Jay
- JayYes, if the amount of files is greater than your quota on your account, then the files wouldn't sync completely. The account would then be overquota and would no longer sync until it goes below quota.
If you have any missing files and they weren’t syncing to your account, then it wouldn’t be possible to recover them from the site.
However, it might be possible to recover the files from the local machine from the recycle bin, or using a third party app or service to do so.
