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Efreken7's avatar
Efreken7
Helpful | Level 5
5 years ago
Solved

Desktop files/pictures disappeared after uninstalling - Mac OS 10.14.6

Hi Jay. There are a few similar queries but none seems to offer a practical solution to my frustrating problem.    After removing/uninstalling a recent 'Dropbox' application (and removing/emptyin...
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  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    5 years ago

    Just jumping in here too, hey there Efreken7!

     

    On a Mac device, dragging an app to the trash will uninstall the app for you. 

     

    This means that you can do a fresh install of the app from our website here.

     

    During the setup of the app, it will ask if you want to set up the computer backup. From that window, you can choose to just enable this for the Desktop and not any other folder.

     

    Let me know if this helps Lance!

Efreken7's avatar
Efreken7
Helpful | Level 5
5 years ago

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have read the Help Center Article. 

Dropbox was fully installed initially. I then simply dragged the Dropbox icons to the trash. I did not uninstall. I do not believe that i disabled anything at all .. either before installing or after.  I have attached two pictures. I. Desktop picture upon logging in.. no files in there, only "mackintosh HD" in the top corner, and 2. my Finder page. Clicking on 'Desktop' only bring a few old files but these do not appear on the main page. 

 

Does my reply make sense. I am only reasonably tech savvy unfortunately.

Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
5 years ago

Hi Efreken7, it sounds like you've deleted the Dropbox folder, without disabling the computer backup first, so this is why the desktop files are missing.

 

Can you try recovering the missing files from this page to see if they sync back to your machine.

  • Efreken7's avatar
    Efreken7
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    Jay. That seems very plausable. I did not disable the compter backup..  Checked, but "no recentlydeleted files". 

     

    Actually I am not too concerned at losing the files etc that were on the desktop, but would certainly like the ability to again post things to the Desktop page. Thanks.

     

  • Efreken7's avatar
    Efreken7
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    Jay. No missing files to recover. Any idea where I can go to now to get this problem sorted out?

     

    As I previously indicated I am not too concerned about losing my desktop files (although it would be nice to recover them!). Geeting my fully functioning Desktop back again - and being able to post items /files etc there is my main goal now.

     

    Thank you.

    • Walter's avatar
      Walter
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      5 years ago

      In that case, you'll need to re-install the app (if you indeed uninstalled it at some point) and then, disable the computer backup feature Efreken7.

       

      Upon that process, you'll get the option to either "Keep content in folders on this PC/Mac" or "Leave content in Dropbox" as needed. 

       

      Let us know how it goes!

      • Efreken7's avatar
        Efreken7
        Helpful | Level 5
        5 years ago

        Walter. I definitely did not uninstall the Drpbox App as I was unsure as to how to go about that function. Merely dragged into trash and then cleared out trash bin.

        Before I try your valued suggestion, I thought iI should share what 'Dropbox' items/files are still showing on my Mac when I search my finder: com.dropbox.client.crashpad, com.getdropbox.garcon , Dropbox file solver.webarchive

         

        After  installing Dropbox as you suggest, do I find the 'Computer Backup' feature on the Dropbox App ..?

        Thank you again for your input.

        Lance

         

  • Efreken7's avatar
    Efreken7
    Helpful | Level 5
    5 years ago

    Jay. Thank you again for your input. Finally got my Desktop bacl plus all the files therein!

     

    Regards, Lance

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