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"This folder/ file has properties that cannot be copied to new location" when using the desktop app.

Can anyone help? I'm having trouble moving my files, I have Dropbox on my phone, tablet, home computer, work computer and work apartment but recently I've noticed If i try to copy a film for example, from my work computer to a colleagues hard drive or music to my usb flash for the car it says "this folder/ file has properties that cannot be copied to new location"

Whats the problem here, am I missing something simple?

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Mark

If they are downloaded to your computer in the Dropbox folder then just move them like you would any other file/folder as thats exactly what they are.

If they are online you'll need to go to www.dropbox.com/home first and select the ones you want to download and then download them to the flash drive. If you select multiple files they'll download as a zip so you may need to unzip them.

All comments

Chris_J

try copying to the desktop first then transfer from Desktop to flash drive. It seems to be a permission issue

Fraser Y.

Thanks Chris but I tried that. Still no luck.

Chris_J

hmmnm, have you tried rebooting PC and do the transfer first thing? only one other thing that might work is to fix permissions. See
https://help.dropbox.com/sync/files-not-syncing

pay attention to the section Advanced Users

Judy S.15

I have a folder open with several .mov files (video clips) I'd like to copy to a flash drive. Am I able to do this? If so, how?

Chris_J

Judy S

Since Dropbox Folder is just like any folder on your machine, you can move those files to flash drive just like you normally do. Copy and paste

Janet M.11

I am having the same problem that Fraser Y. had in 2014 but this just started for me within the last couple of weeks. It is incredibly frustrating as Dropbox is where I store all my music. If I can't get to use as I want, it why use Dropbox?

I am not super savvy but I am not tech stupid either and those "advanced user" instructions are not something I was successful with. Anyone have a simpler solution?

Chris_J

Janet M

So what you are saying you are having permissions problems copying files to a flash drive or USB stick, correct? at least thats what the poster issue is. If so, have you tried copying the folders to your desktop then move them to Flash drive?

Judy S.14

Hi Janet M,

I'm sure you've found a solution already, but I came here for the same reasons - the message about "this folder/ file has properties that cannot be copied to new location". I just went ahead and said Yes. Everything copied over just fine. So, I'm not understanding what the message is about, but it doesn't seem to affect the function of copying something to a usb drive/stick. Go ahead and do it.

Marie K.1

How do I transfer files from Dropbox ti a flash drive

Chris_J

Marie K.

Have you done any of the recommendations in this thread? basically since Dropbox folder is just like any other folder on your PC, just do a copy and paste or even drag the files to your flash drive

Janiboy28

For Windows, the simplest way to copy files from Dropbox to USB stick or hard drive is just choose the download tab on your dropbox and a pop up box will show 3 options OPEN, SAVE or CANCEL. Choose SAVE and 3 options will come out SAVE, SAVE AS and SAVE AND OPEN. Choose SAVE AS and the Explorer Window will come out and you can choose where to save your files. Hope that helps.

nr9

I'm having the same problem. I cannot ignore or click "yes" on the warnings. The files will not transfer to USB - neither move, nor copy - neither directly from dropbox, neither from the desktop.

nr9

I'm having the same problem. Cannot copy or move files to a USB drive. Cannot do it directly from drobox to USB; cannot do it from the desktop to USB. Getting the same message: "Are you sure you want to copy this folder without its properties?" Even if I click yes, it copies the folder, but that folder is empty. I haven't seen an answer that works for me yet - any other ideas? Thanks.

joei

How can i move files from dropbox to a new flash drive thanks

Mark

Jane

Hey @joei,

Happy to see you joined the Dropbox Community!

Because your opinion really matters, would you mind taking a minute of your time to fill out a survey sharing your experience using the Dropbox Community? Please include your feedback and let us know if there's anything we can do to improve! You can access it here: http://bit.ly/2lNKIxT .

Please feel free to get back in touch for questions or feedback at any time!

Warm regards,

JaneA

NortonFox

Hi I've had this problem many times and you've just solved it for me! The message seems to be irrelevant. It just does it anyway. Many Thanks NF

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