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Jeff S.73's avatar
Jeff S.73
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago

preserving dropbox sync status in a windows 10 restore

after the recent windows 10 update I am having issues that require that I restore windows 10 to pre-upddate status.

 

I did this once last year and it destroyed the sync between dropbox desktop and dropbox cloud.  I still haven't fully recovered from that nightmare.

 

I want to do it right this time.  what should I do with dropbox desktop files and dropbox cloud settings before moving ahead to revert windows 10 to its pre-update status.

 

Thanks

 

Desktop
Restore
Sync
  • Elixir's avatar
    Elixir
    7 years ago

    Hi Jeff, I am not sure what type of Windows restore you are goint to perform. I assume that Windows will remove your Dropbox files during the restoration process. In that case, I would suggest the following: 

     

    1. Make sure Dropbox has completed all syncing process, and Dropbox is Up to date. 
    2. Quit Dropbox application. 
    3. Backup your Dropbox folder in an external hard drive. It is not necessary if you don't mind downloading your local data agin from the Dropbox server. If you have lot of data, you may consider backing up locally. 
    4. Perform the windows resotoration process. 
    5. Once the process is completed, install the latest version of Dropbox app, and login. Change the Selective Sync settings (if applicable). Note that if Windows restoration did not change your Dropbox files, that's all you need to do. Make sure that the Dropbox location is same as before the restoration. 
    6. If Windows restoration deteted your files and if you are ok with downloading your local data again, then you should just let it sync. If you don't want your local data to be downloaded agin, pause Dropbox sync. Copy the local files from your backup to Dropbox folder, and resume sync. 
    7. Dropbox might re-index your files agin, just give it some time, and all should be fine. 
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    7 years ago
    I agree with Elixir, however I do have a warning about step 5.
     
    If Windows restores some of the files, it might overwrite the files on the Dropbox site with the older versions, and cause more headaches.
     
    Regardless of how Windows restores it, I’d recommend deleting the existing Dropbox folder on the computer and then skipping directly to step 6, either allowing it to download all files again, or using the ‘pause syncing’ method, which can also be found on our site (though it refers to moving to a new computer, the steps are the same).
     
    Hope this helps!
  • Elixir's avatar
    Elixir
    Star | Level 19
    7 years ago

    Hi Jeff, I am not sure what type of Windows restore you are goint to perform. I assume that Windows will remove your Dropbox files during the restoration process. In that case, I would suggest the following: 

     

    1. Make sure Dropbox has completed all syncing process, and Dropbox is Up to date. 
    2. Quit Dropbox application. 
    3. Backup your Dropbox folder in an external hard drive. It is not necessary if you don't mind downloading your local data agin from the Dropbox server. If you have lot of data, you may consider backing up locally. 
    4. Perform the windows resotoration process. 
    5. Once the process is completed, install the latest version of Dropbox app, and login. Change the Selective Sync settings (if applicable). Note that if Windows restoration did not change your Dropbox files, that's all you need to do. Make sure that the Dropbox location is same as before the restoration. 
    6. If Windows restoration deteted your files and if you are ok with downloading your local data again, then you should just let it sync. If you don't want your local data to be downloaded agin, pause Dropbox sync. Copy the local files from your backup to Dropbox folder, and resume sync. 
    7. Dropbox might re-index your files agin, just give it some time, and all should be fine. 
    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      7 years ago
      I agree with Elixir, however I do have a warning about step 5.
       
      If Windows restores some of the files, it might overwrite the files on the Dropbox site with the older versions, and cause more headaches.
       
      Regardless of how Windows restores it, I’d recommend deleting the existing Dropbox folder on the computer and then skipping directly to step 6, either allowing it to download all files again, or using the ‘pause syncing’ method, which can also be found on our site (though it refers to moving to a new computer, the steps are the same).
       
      Hope this helps!
      • Jeff S.73's avatar
        Jeff S.73
        Helpful | Level 5
        7 years ago

         

        thanks Elixr and Agent Jay for your responses.

         

        to answer Elixr's question, I would only be reverting windows 10 to remove a windows 10 update. this process does not delete my files or folders. However, from experience, I know that this process does affect dropbox's tracking of the sync status between my online dropbox files and their respective copies on my local desktop machine, and can cause major issues downstream.

         

        I should also note that I cannot delete my local copies of my  files stored in my desktop dropbox folder, as not all of them are synced up to my online dropbox folder, as selective sync is turned off on certain folders, due to issues arising from my previous bout with a windows 10 update earlier this year.

         

        So if it is possible to advise a means by which I can maintain both my desktop dropbox folders and my online dropbox folders in their current status, I would appreciate it.  If your earlier advice will do it, let me know.

         

        thanks again!

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