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Forum Discussion
Why are Dropbox files regularly copying to my desktop?
Why are Dropbox files regularly copying to my desktop? Even files I delete.
Dropbox wont work if you are also syncing it to OneDrive (as the path shows). You need to stop using it with 2 cloud services.
Also, its no longer possible to sync the Desktop now with Dropbox. It was a feature of the backup system, but, removed when it launched out of beta.
Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey there, yesthatsandra, thanks for posting to our Community.
When you say that Dropbox is copying files to your desktop, can you please clarify what you mean a bit?
Do you mean that files already inside your Dropbox folder, get copied over to your computer's Desktop folder as well?
Or simply that your Dropbox files, apart from the website, also reside in your computer's hard drive?
Let me know and we'll go from there.
Yes, files already in my Dropbox folder get copied to my desktop. It has happened more than once on what feels like a regular basis. Maybe once every two weeks? I haven't tracked the timing yet. I delete them or move them back to the Dropbox folder then ?two weeks later they show up on my desktop again!
- Nancy
yesthatsandra, can you send a screenshot of a file that’s showing in your Dropbox folder and which has also been copied over to your local device?
Are you taking any actions on Dropbox, right before this starts?
Are these files backed up with Dropbox Backup, by any chance?
Hi. Here is a screenshot of my desktop. The copy over happened this morning, so these are files that were in my Dropbox that copies onto my desktop and I deleted--and they've shown up again.
I was not using Dropbox just before this copy happened. I'm not sure I'm using Dropbox Backup or not. I can't seem to open the Dropbox app--I'm not sure why. I have a shortcut on my desktop that I use to access files I need. When I try to open the App itself the try times out and nothing happens. Maybe this is significant?
Thanks for your help.
- Walter
Hey yesthatsandra - does the issue with the app persist after rebooting your computer?
Also, do you see any folders or files being backed up in your backups page?
- Megan
Hey yesthatsandra, when did you first start noticing this behavior?
Also, would you mind clarifying your exact OS, and the version of the app? It looks like you're using Windows 11, right?
You should be able to locate the version of the app by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your task bar, next to your WiFi.
Yes, Windows 11
Dropbox 203.4.4857
I noticed this occurring about 6 or 8 weeks ago
I thought I would just unchoose folders so it would stop the copying, but then I got this message. I am worried about deleting important work. If these files are on my computer or in dropbox, they won't be deleted will they?
- Megan
Hey yesthatsandra, your content shouldn't be deleted, no.
Want to give it a go, and let me know the behavior of the app after that?
