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Forum Discussion
'Desktop' can't be opened because the original item can't be found.
I have a Mac. I went to use Dropbox to upload some files. I got a message saying I needed to update.
I followed all the prompts that popped up and ended up with Dropbox copying or moving my desktop and other files until it was full.
When I try to use Finder to access my Desktop is says, "Desktop" can't be opened because the original item can't be found."
I found an article that said to go to Preferences within my Dropbox App and choose Finder to access my files, which I did. The problem still remains.
Now when I try to open the Dropbox App, it sends me to the online version and I'm stuck. I'm not very tech savvy at all and don't understand a lot of the instructions I've seen online; nor do I really know if the instructions I've found will actually help me or cause more harm. I saw a notification that said if I move anything out of Dropbox, it will be deleted. I cannot risk having my Desktop deleted.
It sounds like you have enabled the computer backup feature.
Could you try disabling it using these steps, which will then give you an option to move the file back to their default location.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi Laurie Solle, thanks for messaging the Community!
Just to clarify, did you enable the computer backup feature?
Are you missing any files, and if so can they be restored from the deleted files page?
This will help me to assist further!Sadly, I don't know what I did or didn't do concerning the "computer backup" feature.
I simply followed the prompts that came up. I did see a notice that said I might see my desktop moving around, but that it would look normal again after the download finished.When I first looked at the Dropbox App via the icon on my dock, I think I saw "Desktop, Downloads, and Documents" in there. After changing Preferences to use Finder, my app icon now opens to the internet version and I don't see the App contents any longer.
I have no idea if I am missing files. I wanted to upload some things from my Desktop as attachments and I got the message that I mentioned in the subject heading. I feel like I've been tricked.
- Jay
It sounds like you have enabled the computer backup feature.
Could you try disabling it using these steps, which will then give you an option to move the file back to their default location.
- Walter
Hey Pimlico, sorry to hear about this.
Could you clarify the exact steps you take to do this and send us a screenshot of the error you're getting?
Have you tried reinstalling the desktop app at all?
Thank you for responding, Walter.
After a disastrous loss of apps containing documents (Word, Scrivener, Dropbox), as well as their contents, I was relieved to see that although Dropbox had deleted everything too, it mercifully gave me the chance to restore. I've tried several times to download Dropbox for my iMac and MacBook but it won't install and, as a result, can't access the documents. Any suggestions gratefully received.
Barry
- Walter
Are you getting any specific errors or is the installer not running at all, Barry?
Could you try using the offline installer from this page and let me know how it goes?
PS: If you happen to be on the Basic plan, make sure that you have no more than 3 devices connected to your account as you might be hitting the device limit.
- Walter
Hey IWantMyFilesBack, sorry to hear about this.
It sounds like you might have enabled the Dropbox Backup feature at some point on your computer.
If that's the case, you can disable it as outlined here.
Hello. I'd tried everything. Finally I decided to go to an Apple Service to solution this issue. Obviously, I paid. And it happened one month ago, approximately: Dropbox customer support is lousy...
