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rabbit519's avatar
rabbit519
Explorer | Level 4
4 years ago

Sync started by mistake -- how do I undo this?

I inadvertently set up my new computer with Dropbox to sync with my entire Documents folder, which has over 300GB on it. Needless to say, I ran out of space on Dropbox rather quickly. I also use OneDrive, which keeps my files in the Cloud while still appearing on my computer.

 

I am assuming there is no "UNDO" button to reverse what I did. If this is correct, read on:

 

I paused my sync so no new files are being synced, but how do I undo my mistake so that:

  1. I can remove the files that are not supposed to be on Dropbox without deleting them from my computer or from OneDrive?
  2. I can identify the files that were moved recently by looking at the RECENT files. Is there a more efficient day to resolve my problem? And if I Delete those one-by-one, will it also delete them from my computer and OneDrive? I only want to delete them from Dropbox.

Thanks for any light you can shed.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    4 years ago
    For any files still on your Dropbox account (from the message 'Some content is still in Dropbox'), if the default folders have been restored, as in, they're no longer pointing to the Dropbox folder when you open Desktop, Documents or Downloads, then move any other files out of the Dropbox folder.

    The deletions would be the files and folders being moved out of the Dropbox folder, deleting those files from the site, but keeping them on your computer.

    This is the same for the Amazon Downloader logs, the prompt is saying that moving them out of the Dropbox folder will delete them from the site, and so from other devices as well.

    Keep the syncing enabled to ensure that all the changes are made and that the app continues to function as normal for the future.
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hi rabbit519, thanks for joining the Community!

    Could you try disabling the computer backup feature using these steps?

    You would need to re-enable syncing first in order to begin these changes.

    Afterwards, you'll get the option to move the folders and files back to their previous locations, which will also delete them from the Dropbox account online.

    Keep me updated with any progress!
    • rabbit519's avatar
      rabbit519
      Explorer | Level 4

      Hi Jay,

       

      This seemed to work--for a while! It said it deleted 240 files from one of my computers (the new one I had synced from) and changed 3,660 files from my other (older) computer. I got the following messages in the window saying, "Back up your PC automatically," where I had unchecked the three boxes that had been checked:

      • DESKTOP: Some content is still in Dropbox
      • DOCUMENTS: Some content is still in Dropbox
      • DOWNLOADS: Backup stopped

      What do these three messages mean, and what else do I need to do to delete the files from Dropbox while keeping them on my new computer (or the old one if that is where they came from), and confirm that there will be no more automatic Backups made to Dropbox?

       

      I also got a pop-up message that popped up on my screen that says: "'Remove Amazon Downloader Logs' and 4 other items from your Dropbox account and all devices? If you move these items to Documents, they won't be available in Dropbox or any devices." Jay, I am not sure what the Amazon Downloader Logs are and whether I need them, and I certainly don't know what the 4 other items are. Whatever they are, I'd like them out of Dropbox and back on my original computer, but the choices to click on are CANCEL or MOVE OUT OF DROPBOX. What should I do?

       

      My "notification message" for the files deleted from Dropbox shows about 6,600 files deleted from Dropbox.

       

      Please answer my questions and let me know how to proceed. Also, at the end of the process, do I leave the Syncing on or should I pause it?

       

      Thanks very much,

      Rabbit519

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        For any files still on your Dropbox account (from the message 'Some content is still in Dropbox'), if the default folders have been restored, as in, they're no longer pointing to the Dropbox folder when you open Desktop, Documents or Downloads, then move any other files out of the Dropbox folder.

        The deletions would be the files and folders being moved out of the Dropbox folder, deleting those files from the site, but keeping them on your computer.

        This is the same for the Amazon Downloader logs, the prompt is saying that moving them out of the Dropbox folder will delete them from the site, and so from other devices as well.

        Keep the syncing enabled to ensure that all the changes are made and that the app continues to function as normal for the future.

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