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Desktop Application Will Not Allow Existing Dropbox Folder to Be Used. Error: "The folder already contains a Dropbox directory."
I have been a happy user of Dropbox for years. Until recently . . .
Dropbox recently quit working properly. The latest issue today was that it failed to load the "platform plugin windows." The Dropbox popup suggested that I reinstall Dropbox. So . . . I dutifully reinstalled Dropbox as recommended. However, I do not like to have my Dropbox located in the default . . . Users/User/Dropbox location, but on a separate hard drive.
So as soon as Dropbox opens the first time, it starts syncing to the default location (yes, development team, that needs to be fixed too -- please include an initial inquiry on first startup after install to make sure you are using the directory the user actually wants!).
I paused the syncing, opened the Preferences, went to "Account" and attempted to select a different Location, as ostensibly permitted by the preferences interface. However, when I went to the drive that contains my Dropbox, it refuses to allow me to use that location, because -- wouldn't you know it! -- there is already a Dropbox folder there. Duh! Dropbox told me to reinstall the application, but I don't want to delete everything from my computer and re-sync the entire Dropbox. Of course I already have a folder called "Dropbox". Just let me point to it.
Please, please, fix this ASAP, and don't tell me that this is something you "are aware of and are working on." A decent programmer could solve this issue during his lunch hour.
Bottom line: Dropbox needs to allow the user to specify where they want the Dropbox folder to be or where it already is.
You should not select the Dropbox folder but the folder you wish Dropbox to be placed in. Then it will be installed in that folder.
If its on a 2nd drive and not in a folder, simply select the Drive in the chooser window.
At least this is what I am thinking based upon your post. I made this same issue at first when trying to move Dropbox all those years ago.
The installer will let you choose the location. It on the last screen before it closes under the advanced settings. Many users myself included think Dropbox was already being installed in the default location at this point in the process but it was still waiting.
Thankyou Tom Eric & Svibly...
It seems thanks to you guys someone has been doing some programming/clarification of the
Install process. Since March this year when I last tried a reinstall things have improved. Following your advice I used the advanced setting to specify the drive that had the preexisting installation of dropbox which was already G:/Dropbox/Dropbox after it had refused to use my existing settings last time and started deleting redownloading everything. This time it saw the existing installation and started indexing it straight away before I pressed the ok button...? I watched it carefully as I didn't keep a 220Gb backup in case it ran amok. Everything seems to be ok and it is uploading and downloading the the few recently changed files and all the directories seem to be there. The only possible thing to look at is it points out you need to use selective sync during the installation saying "your Dropbox is 220Gb and you only have 10Gb free on the "C:" drive." This is before you choose the location so you don't yet know if you can get it to find, reindex and use the files in the existing installation.
I have the same problem, I don't know why, but when I re-lunched dropbox it didn't recognize the already set up folder. It refuses to work with the folder I already have (collusion of names) and wants to re-download everything (just 70GB, but a very slow connection :(
any solutions?
I'm not convinced it is possible to sync to a folder named anything other than "Dropbox". It would be nice if Dropbox allowed this capability, but I'm not aware that it is possible.
On the one hand, I can understand that Dropbox is concerned about users forgetting that a folder named "Forms" (or some other name) is their Dropbox folder, deleting it or renaming it or something, and then trying to get Dropbox user support in a panic (or worse, accidentally deleting everything from the Dropbox). The likelihood of this happening is significantly reduced when the user sees a folder named "Dropbox".
That said, it would be nice for capable, advanced users to have the ability to point to a folder with a different name (maybe after a terrifying popup warning from Dropbox about all the risks).
If anyone finds out that we can point to something other than a "Dropbox"-named folder, please let us know.
Same problem!
This fix doesn't work for Windows 10 installer.
The advances option doesn't exist.
PLEASE HELP
Running into the same issue, two years later. I've been a paying customer since 2012, and have championed Dropbox heavily to everyone I know. However, it has become clear to me the last few years that company and by extension the developers do not listen to the community. This is definitely not the first issue I've seen or personally run into that hasn't been fixed or even addressed for one or several years.
At this point, I'm considoring jumping ship to Microsoft, which offers the same amount of storage (1TB) along with a professional office toolset AND a product that is actively developed to boot. (Updates that change nothing of consequence do not count as "active development", sorry) Unless something changes in the next year, I will very likely not be renewing my Plus subscription.
Sorry that this is off-topic, but there didn't seem to be a better place to put this. While submitting "suggestions" seems to have no effect, perhaps a public post will.
I fixed it by deleting the original Dropbox folder. You have to start by showing the hidden files in finder via Terminal (Steps: https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/hidden-folder ) Just remove the folder called Dropbox, then hide the hidden files again via Terminal and you're good to go!
I had my Dropbox folder on my machine, in a specified location. Something happened to the app and it re-started asking me to link an account. So out of nowhere the app stopped to be linked to my machine. When I try to link it again it immediately creates a Dropbox folder in the home directory. My home directory doesn't have enough space for it to sync so it crashes. I'm in an Ubuntu, so I cannot see those advanced options to pick folder because everything is done in the terminal. When I try to point it to the old directory it simply gives an error when moving and still keeps location in my home directory. I need urgent help as I'm finishing my Ph.D. thesis and I am not able to work if the files aren't sync in both my laptop and my machine.
Anyone knows how can I select the path to the folder through the terminal?
David, sounds like a real painful situation. I'm not sure I can resolve your issue, but just wanted to see if I understand your current situation.
It sounds like you recently reinstalled Dropbox and pointed it to g:\dropbox\dropbox. Forgetting the sync feature and cloud backup for a moment, is that the directory where you are keeping all your Dropbox files on your desktop? In other words, is that the directory where you had all your files prior to your latest install?
I can't quite tell from your last paragraph whether you have reinstalled yet one more time and pointed it this time to g:\dropbox?
There are a couple of possible approaches I can think of. (And don't completely discount the possibility of "moving" a large number of files. Given that they are all on the same drive, your file system should just be changing the directory pointer, not actually moving anything. So even though it sounds like a ton of stuff to move, it might not be that difficult in practice. One drive to another, yes a pain; one directory to another on the same drive, not so much.)
But before going there, I'm trying to make sure I understand (a) where you have your master Dropbox (meaning, which directory are all your files actually located in on your hard drive), and (b) which directory is Dropbox sync trying to point to?
(Finally, and this almost goes without saying and I apologize for repeating the annoying advice you've already hear a hundred times, but there is certainly wisdom in keeping a backup. In theory Dropbox should be able to recover your entire set of files to an earlier date, depending on your settings, but I've never felt comfortable enough with that option to avoid making my own additional backup.)
(SOLVED) @Jude R. ,
STEPS, TIPS & TRICK HOW TO INSTALL DROPBOX TO EXISTING FOLDER:
1. When Install Dropbox to the PC, please make sure to see and click the 'advanced' options:
"Warning! Do not click on "next" button unless you want your Dropbox to be installed in the default location (C:\ Dropbox). If you already have Dropbox installed on this computer and it is not in the default location (example in D: ), clicking on this "next" button will prevent you from accessing your existing Dropbox. Furthermore, you will not be able to point the application to your existing Dropbox through any later settings if you click on this button. Instead, you should click on Advanced Settings below. If you have read this warning and still want to click this button, you do so at your own risk."
2. In Advance options, you point the folder to D !
(remember: to D only, not to D:\Dropbox, instead you will get D:\Dropbox\Dropbox)
After that, Dropbox will synchronize and indexing all the files in your D drive (dropbox). Let then work for a minutes to an hour (depend on size & your internet connection).
Done ! :)
If in any case, you miss this steps (which the Dropbox installed to C), don't worry, just cancel the instalation & start the steps I mentioned above.
You will be done with perfect place.
Thank you, Dropbox for amazing cloud space, but poor instructions to install in PC :(
Good luck for all !!!
(nb, once again, thank's to Eric for this steps & make my day brighten again hahaha :)
Hey guys,
I really support what you guys are asking for. Very well put.
However, we have a problem we cannot figure out. We have an existing folder that I would like to be our Dropbox folder. However, it puts a Dropbox folder inside that path. We want the path of the Dropbox folder to be the existing folder and not have a separate folder named "Dropbox".
Here's our example: On the computer is a folder called "C:\\Forms\". This is the path that I would like Dropbox to use and not add a Dropbox folder.
Is there any way to do this?
Thanks in advance,
Mr.S
Hallo CCM,
Yes, you can follow the steps descibed above (see my explanation right above you).
In your case, you can follow 1st steps above, and for the 2nd steps, do this:
2. In Advance options, you point the folder to C:\\Forms\ <-- this is your target forlder, isnt'? !
(remember: to C:\\Forms\ only, not to C:\\Forms\Dropbox, instead you will get C:\\Forms\Dropbox\Dropbox)
After that, Dropbox will synchronize and indexing all the files in your C:\\Forms\ drive (dropbox). Let then work for a minutes to an hour (depend on size & your internet connection).
Done ! :)
-- SUGEST : before install dropbox, put all your files you want to be sychronized into those folder (C:\\Forms\) and then install dropbox.
If in any case, you miss this steps (which the Dropbox installed to C or the wrong place), don't worry, just cancel the instalation & start the steps I mentioned above.
You will be done with perfect place.
Success bro!.
Aviv
Thank You, Aviv.
However, when I point Dropbox to C:\\Forms\ it still creates a Dropbox folder and sync's only what's inside it. I am unable to sync only C:\\Forms\.
And Dropbox has refunded my account as a result.
-mr.smith
