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Forum Discussion
can't redirect into reparse point please choose different target path
So, I uninstalled Dropbox. Now I find that my folders; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and God knows what else are all set to my Dropbox folder. When I go to 'restore' these folders to their correct, default Windows 10 path, I get the above error message. This is outrageous. What is the solution?
Hello everyone,
Our engineer's have looked into this and have provided a solution that should assist. If you follow the steps below, this should ensure that your folders are restored to the default for your PC. If you have any other issues, feel free to create a new thread and we will follow up with you shortly.
1) Make sure the Dropbox desktop application is running (re-download if you have already deleted the application)
2) Click on the Dropbox icon in the system tray and then click your profile picture or initials
3) Select ‘Preferences’
4) Click on the ‘Account’ tab, and then click in the window under the tab (just anywhere will do)
5) Hold down the ‘alt+H’ keys
6) select the option to “reset OS folders”
So, I uninstalled Dropbox. Now I find that my folders; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and God knows what else are all set to my Dropbox folder. When I go to 'restore' these folders to their correct, default Windows 10 path, I get the above error message. This is outrageous. What is the solution?
The 'reparse' points which are referred to are the built in Windows 10 system shortcuts to the folders in question. I don't think deleting these is either possible, or advisable.
Also, despite the uninstall, a 'Dropbox' folder still exists on my computer with the above mentioned folders. Deleting the folders also deletes them from their original location as well. Hardly 'uninstalled' behavior.
Additionally, I scanned my Registry. It is littered with references to 'Dropbox'.
It is obvious that the uninstall did NOT return my computer to it's state prior to the install. How is this to be remedied?
Since nobody else seems to have any ideas, how do I contact Dropbox directly to get assistance with this problem?
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey there dhainlin; thanks for posting on our Community and sorry to hear you had issues with using our computer backup feature.
Can you please try deleting the reparse points (the shortcuts to those folders) from their original locations and try restoring your paths anew?
Let me know how it goes! There is no one that can answer this question Basically if things with a computer do not work you either have to format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system
No... do not do that. It's way too drastic. The Dropbox engineers came up with the correct answer above, and it works. If you're stuck, ask them for assistance in working through the necessary steps.
I have this problem too. It's so annoying. I don't want my folders moved when I install Dropbox
