'Desktop' can't be opened because the original item can't be found.

It sounds like you have enabled the computer backup feature.

Could you try disabling it using these steps, which will then give you an option to move the file back to their default location.

All comments

Hi @Laurie Solle, thanks for messaging the Community!

Just to clarify, did you enable the computer backup feature?

Are you missing any files, and if so can they be restored from the deleted files page?

This will help me to assist further!

Sadly, I don't know what I did or didn't do concerning the "computer backup" feature.
I simply followed the prompts that came up. I did see a notice that said I might see my desktop moving around, but that it would look normal again after the download finished.

When I first looked at the Dropbox App via the icon on my dock, I think I saw "Desktop, Downloads, and Documents" in there. After changing Preferences to use Finder, my app icon now opens to the internet version and I don't see the App contents any longer.

I have no idea if I am missing files. I wanted to upload some things from my Desktop as attachments and I got the message that I mentioned in the subject heading. I feel like I've been tricked.

It sounds like you have enabled the computer backup feature.

Could you try disabling it using these steps, which will then give you an option to move the file back to their default location.

"Could you try disabling it using these steps, which will then give you an option to move the file back to their default location."

Where are the steps that you speak of??

My apologies, the link was in my previous post, from here you should see how to disable the computer backup feature.

Thank you for sending the instructions.

However, I am still stuck.

When I open my Dropbox via the icon in my dock, it seems I get the "online" version, and not the app.

I searched for the App on my computer through Finder, but it doesn't come up.

So I tried to reinstall it. I still cannot find the Dropbox App on my computer to follow the steps to disable the computer backup.

I see that my Dropbox App icon is grayed out on the top of my Mac.

If I hover over it, it says, "Dropbox 125xxxxx (looks like an identifying number) and that it is uploading over 7K files and is out of space.

If you click that gray icon in the menu bar, do you get the option to view the preferences to then disable the computer backup?

Yes, I can get Preferences!

I was able to follow your directions...hopefully, all is good...I have to go to work and can't test it out.

Thank you SO MUCH for your patience with my lack of knowledge and struggles! I appreciate you!

No worries, @Laurie Solle, let me know how it goes when you test it out!

When I tried to open my Desktop, everything worked the way I would expect it to! I'm so relieved! My problem wasn't a big problem in the real world of Dropbox, but it was to me since I couldn't figure it out by myself.

Again, MANY THANKS for taking the time to help me through it.

I'm happy to hear that it's working now. If you need any further assistance in the future, please, feel free to let me know.

Enjoy the remainder of your week!

Ameelcurtis

Im having the SAME issues but when I go to preferences and l click manage backups a box pops up but it's all white. (like it hasn't fully loaded?)
IM so stressed- My drop box holds ALL my client files.

Nancy

Hi @Ameelcurtis, thanks for posting here.

First off, I’d like you to send me a screenshot of what you see exactly, after clicking on the “Manage backups” option.

Have you also visited this page on your web account? If you wish, you can also send me a screenshot of what you see there, as well.

Let me know.

Pimlico

Hi, Wonder if you can help please. Nasty loss of apps and documents yesterday. Happily dropbox kept the files for me to restore but will not let me download/install the deleted Dropbox app to my iMac and MacBook

“Dropbox” can’t be opened because the original item can’t be found.

Any help hugely appreciated

Barry

Hey @Pimlico, sorry to hear about this.

Could you clarify the exact steps you take to do this and send us a screenshot of the error you're getting?

Have you tried reinstalling the desktop app at all?

Pimlico

Thank you for responding, Walter.

After a disastrous loss of apps containing documents (Word, Scrivener, Dropbox), as well as their contents, I was relieved to see that although Dropbox had deleted everything too, it mercifully gave me the chance to restore. I've tried several times to download Dropbox for my iMac and MacBook but it won't install and, as a result, can't access the documents. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Barry

Are you getting any specific errors or is the installer not running at all, Barry?

Could you try using the offline installer from this page and let me know how it goes?

PS: If you happen to be on the Basic plan, make sure that you have no more than 3 devices connected to your account as you might be hitting the device limit.

Pimlico

Thank you Walter. First, I had a couple of tries to install this morning and the second one worked!

I did try the offline downloader but promptly got the message that it was inappropriate.

I've no idea why it's worked today and not yesterday.

All files recovered, save, crucially, for those in the last month (a big disappointment). However, it means I have earlier drafts of my writing to work from.

I'm going to go with this and write the 48 hours of concern off to experience.

Many thanks again for your help

I'm glad to hear it's sorted now, Barry - thanks for keeping me in the loop too!

Take care and have a lovely weekend!

Sosaconsal

Hello. I'd been trying to find a solution since yesterday. I installed Dropbox in my new Mac mini and enable backup. Then I tried to disable that option and I made something wrong because my Documents, Desktop and Downloads folders are missing... It was my fault but I can fix it. For instance if I try to open a new folder in my desktop it says: "An unexpected error occurred (error code -8072)". I even reinstalled system and it's not working. I'd tried installing and uninstalling several times and can't find a solution. I'd talked with your support through Twitter and through de web page (Ticket #19170865) and I've no solution. Could you help me, please? I'd been dealing with it the last 24 hours. Thank you.

Megan

Hi @Sosaconsal, I'd be happy to help!

First of all, I managed to locate your ticket number and passed your relevant comments there. An agent will be with you shortly, in order to look into this with you.

As for your Backup, are you able to locate your folders online, or are they missing there too?

Let me know more!

IWantMyFilesBack

Downloads, Movies and Music Folders are missing on my mac. I did literally nothing except open drop box to save a WAV File. Now all of my Client Sessions are missing from the music folder and I cant access them on the app. The three folders are in the DropBox App, I downloaded them but they do not contain my missing work.