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Forum Discussion
Cannot move files when trying to merge old Dropbox folder with new Dropbox folder.
After running the Windows update from 12/13/22 I had to reinstall Dropbox. When I tried to use my old Dropbox folder I could not because it said there was already one there. So I had to place the new Dropbox folder in another location.
The problem that there are different files in the two location and so I am trying to slowly move files that were in the old DB folder to the new, but I keep getting a message that "these files are online only, and need to be moved to the dropbox folder before opening". Which is exactly what I am trying to do!
It is as if many of the files that were in the old DB folder have retained their online only properties and cannot be moved because they are no longer linked to DB.
So how can I get them back in the DB folder so that they can be accessed again?
Thanks for any help you can provide.
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey USMCSGT323, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.
I just wanted to mention that, upon reinstalling the desktop app, you need to choose the parent folder of the existing Dropbox folder as the location for this new install.
For example, if your old Dropbox folder was added to: C:\Desktop\Dropbox you would need to choose C:\Desktop and the client will try and create a new Dropbox folder.
If you're connecting with the same Dropbox account as before, Dropbox will detect the existing folder and will then prompt you to merge the Dropbox folder. Upon merging the desktop version of Dropbox will check the existing files and the server versions and update accordingly.
Otherwise, you can let the desktop app sync all of your files to your computer from the website and delete the old Dropbox folder.
I hope this helps!
Thank you Walter for your response!
In the section, "For example, if your old Dropbox folder was added to: C:\Desktop\Dropbox you would need to choose C:\Desktop and the client will try and create a new Dropbox folder.
If you're connecting with the same Dropbox account as before, Dropbox will detect the existing folder and will then prompt you to merge the Dropbox folder. Upon merging the desktop version of Dropbox will check the existing files and the server versions and update accordingly."
I attempted to put the new dropbox folder in the parent folder location, but it said there was already a Dropbox folder in that folder and it would not let me proceed. And on the merging, I would like to do that because there are more files on my computer DB folder than there are on my online folder and I don't want to lose the files.
Any additional thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
- Megan
Hi USMCSGT323, have you tried to rename the old Dropbox folder, then proceed?
Also, when you say that your computer's Dropbox folder has more files than your online folder, could you send me a few screenshots, in order for me to have visual?
Also, please check your app's syncing status and let me know what it reports.
