Signing into a different account on my computer

[garrettwperkins]

I need to sign into a different Dropbox account on my computer, but there are a lot of files and they will all be the same on the new account. I need to be able to switch accounts and keep the old files on the computer (instead of having to download them again on the new account).

[Walter]

Hi @garrettwperkins; welcome aboard and thanks for using Dropbox!

In this case, I'd suggest sharing a folder from your one account to the other with all the files you'd like to be on both accounts. 

From there, you'll need to unlink the account you've already linked to your computer through the app's preferences and, then, link the new one.

Follow these steps to unlink a computer:

1) Right-click the Dropbox icon in the system tray, or menu bar, by the clock
2) Click on your profile picture or initials to the right of the search bar and select 'Preferences' > 'Account'
3) Click the 'Unlink' button
4) Afterward, Dropbox will prompt you to re-register. Quit!

You can now safely move or delete files in the Dropbox folder and not affect anything else.

Note that the Dropbox folder itself is still there so if you relink to a different Dropbox account, the application will detect that another Dropbox folder already exists on the computer, and will give you two options: 'Choose Another Location' or 'Install'.

If you want your new Dropbox folder to be in a location different than your existing folder, click on 'Choose Another Location'.

If you want your new Dropbox folder to be in the same location as your existing one, click on 'Install'. This will rename the existing Dropbox folder to 'Dropbox (Old)' and will create a new Dropbox folder for the account you’re currently linking.

I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions! 

[Sceolang2]

I made a Dropbox account years ago with a now defunct email address and I have forgotten the password. I want to delete this account (but can't because I can't remember the password). I have a new account with my current email address (that's fine) but when I download the desktop app (Mac) it defaults to the old account I want to delete. Any suggestions welcomed.

[Megan]

Hi @Sceolang2, let's see what we can do here! 

I've merged you into this thread, since your query was similar to the one above. 

Could you try Walter's steps in order to sign out of your old account on your app? 

Let me know how it goes.