can't redirect into reparse point please choose different target path

[dhainlin]

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?

[dhainlin]

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?

[Walter]

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!

[dhainlin]

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?

[dhainlin]

Since nobody else seems to have any ideas, how do I contact Dropbox directly to get assistance with this problem?

[Walter]

Thanks for the additional information here @dhainlin.

Would it be alright with you if I reached out via email to investigate further? 

[dhainlin]

Yes, however, I can tell you I have made some progress. Went into the Registry and found all the 'path' re-directs and reset them back to their original state.
However, that being said, I tried re-installing and re-uninstalling the product. This, however, did not clean up the Registry entries that are still leftover. Furthermore, there is still a folder called 'Dropbox' which is not only mirroring my data folders, but deleting anything from within the 'Dropbox' folder still results in a corresponding deletion from whatever User folder it is mirroring. I need to know how to stop this, and kill the 'Dropbox' folder, and its mirroring altogether. My email is [personal information removed as per Community Guidelines]. Look forward to hearing from you.

[Walter]

Thanks for keeping me in the loop and happy Monday @dhainlin.

I just sent you an email to look a bit further into this matter. 

Whenever you get the chance, please take a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there. 

[jgroth]

I had a very similar experience, the uninstall of Dropbox did not clean up after itself properly and have those linked folders leftover like the original poster.  Please update with your process to resolve this.

[Walter]

Hey there @jgroth, thanks for joining the discussion here and sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please try reinstalling the desktop app on your computer and then follow these steps to disable the computer backup feature?