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

Rivkah 's avatar
Rivkah
Explorer | Level 3
8 months ago

Backed up files disappeared from my laptop but are visible on the website

Hi I have my documents on my laptop synced to Dropbox and I went on my Files on my laptop before and all my documents had disappeared. I went on Dropbox and it showed I have a new backup location i...
Desktop
desktop app
Dropbox Backup
File access
Rivkah 's avatar
Rivkah
Explorer | Level 3

When i go on that page it brings me to this 

What am I supposed to press?

If I delete the backups will that not permanently delete them? Or will it make them back on my laptop?

Thanks so much for your help, sorry im not understanding

Megan's avatar
Megan
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
7 months ago

No worries @Rivkah! 

 

You either need access to the PC so you can disable it within Preferences in the Dropbox app, or you need to remove the PC from your list of Linked Devices. 

 

Then that computer is no longer linked to Dropbox so it can't be syncing and the backup feature can't be active.

 

You can also either try to click "Manage Backups" or the ellipsis button, and follow the steps it gives you there. 

  • Rivkah 's avatar
    Rivkah
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 months ago

    Is that the only way to get the backups back on my laptop?

    Is my laptop PC or PC2?

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 months ago

    Hey Rivkah   - sorry to jump in here, but have you tried navigating to both backups to determine which one is your own computer? 

  • Rivkah 's avatar
    Rivkah
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 months ago

    Hi Walter 

    How do i navigate the backups?

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 months ago

    You'll need to (double) click on of them to access and navigate them normally Rivkah    

     

    Let us know of any updates! 

  • Rivkah 's avatar
    Rivkah
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 months ago

    Thank you

    How do i change it from backing up to that laptop to my laptop?

  • Rivkah 's avatar
    Rivkah
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 months ago

    Do you know why the PC2 folder has the windows icon instead of a file icon? And why I  can only access all my documents when I click on the 'new location' words? Is there no way to just move them all to the PC folder and make them backup to there? I really don't know how to fix this and I need to access all my documents on my laptop asap

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 months ago

    This icon represents an active backup of yours @Rivkah  

     

    Are you able to access it from the page shown in your screenshot and download the files from there? 

  • Rivkah 's avatar
    Rivkah
    Explorer | Level 3
    7 months ago

    I think so, but i cant redownload every single folder. How can i change where it backs up to so it comes up on my laptop again? 

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 months ago

    Hey Rivkah , where does "new location" re-direct you to?

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!