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stashtvm's avatar
stashtvm
Helpful | Level 5
6 years ago

How can I go about re-linking an existing Dropbox folder stored on a separate drive?

I am reinstalling windows 7 and my old dropbox folder is on a seperate storage drive so hasn't been deleted by the instalation process. When I reinstall the dropbox software it wont let me use the ol...
Desktop
Setting up the apps
  • stashtvm's avatar
    stashtvm
    6 years ago
    Hi thanks for the reply, have managed to sort it by creating a folder with exactly the same name as my old folder and windows merged them and now all my files are being indexed now
Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
Hey there (stashtvm), you could link an existing Dropbox folder instead of re-syncing everything anew through the Advanced Settings on the setup window. 
 
(Note: Please note that you may see Dropbox attempting to upload all of your files again. However, the server will recognize the files and should process the upload extremely quickly.
 
If any of the files have changed in your account- eg. if someone has updated a file in a shared folder- conflicted copies will be generated for the files which were changed.)
 
Now, as you mentioned that you had your Dropbox folder in a different location, you should ensure to choose the root folder path that Dropbox used to have, for example, if you have your Dropbox folder in the path "D:\OtherDrive\Folder\Dropbox" you'll want to select the folder "D:\OtherDrive\Folder". From there, please have a look at the following steps to get going with that: 
 
Spoiler

#1. Link the desktop application to your account by following the instructions on the screen.

#2. Immediately pause syncing:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray ➡️ Click the :gear: icon. ➡️ Choose "Pause Syncing" from the menu.

#3. Copy the files from your external storage device into the Dropbox folder.

#4. Resume syncing:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your notification area ➡️ Click the :gear: icon. ➡️ Choose "Resume Syncing" from the menu. 

Please have a look at my suggestions at your earliest convenience & let me know how you get on with my advice on this discussion here. Thanks for posting us on the Dropbox Community on the matter!
stashtvm's avatar
stashtvm
Helpful | Level 5
6 years ago
Hi thanks for the reply, have managed to sort it by creating a folder with exactly the same name as my old folder and windows merged them and now all my files are being indexed now
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    6 years ago

    Happy to hear that this has been fixed for you now for you & thanks for sharing the news (stashtvm)! :unicorn:

    Please feel free to get back in touch on our Community if you have more questions; it’ll be a pleasure to work with you again in the future. Take care until then & have a wonderful weekend ahead! 

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