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ostbeyer's avatar
ostbeyer
New member | Level 2
2 years ago

How to migrate a Dropbox folder from one PC to another?

Dear all,   I have a shared physical Dropbox folder on my old PC with all the "original" data in it, which is synchronized with the Dropbox cloud storage. Now this PC is broken and I want to ph...
Desktop
desktop app
Setting up the apps
  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    2 years ago
    ostbeyer wrote:

    But in order to download the files automatically, I first need to designate a location on the hard disk, don't I?

    But where do I do that?

    When you install the Dropbox application it will create a Dropbox folder in your user profile, though you have the option to select a different location during the install process.

catstepmum's avatar
catstepmum
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

I've got a new MacBookPro, and the migration of everything - even my screen saver - from my old one was surprisingly easy. Except for Dropbox. My Dropbox on the new computer was empty. So I had to save an important folder I'm currently working on onto a hard drive, rename it and transfer into the new Dropbox I was forced to create on the new computer, and ask the co-editors I'd shared it with to share the new folder instead. Now I've been told by Dropbox that it will disappear tomorrow unless I start paying them. I am retired and do this journal editing on a voluntary basis. I'm not keen to have to pay. 

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    2 years ago

    Hi catstepmum, let's jump right into this! 

     

    Is it possible that you're using two different Dropbox accounts: your old one, on the old device and a newly-created one, on the new device? 

     

    What is the app's syncing status right now? You also mentioned something about a message that Dropbox would "disappear" tomorrow, can you let me know more about this message, or notification and even send a screenshot too?

     

    Let me know more!

    • catstepmum's avatar
      catstepmum
      Explorer | Level 3
      2 years ago

      Dear Megan,

      Thanks for responding.

      I clearly am using two Dropbox accounts, but I don't know why - why was the Dropbox empty when everything else migrated to my new Mac? I don't know what is meant by syncing status or how I'd find out. I've taken a screenshot of the message about expiration. 

       

      Yours,

      Ann

      • Megan's avatar
        Megan
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        2 years ago

        Hi catstepmum, if you created a new account, and linked it to the new device, then that would explain why it's empty. 

         

        Have you clicked on the above link I provided about the syncing status? Also, this email refers to Dropbox Transfer, not your Dropbox account.

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