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How can I safely uninstall and reinstall the desktop app without losing files?

I'm running Desktop Basic under Windows 7 but it may not have been initially installed as ADMIN. There are several files in folders that are not easily replaced. If the current version is uninstalled will these files remain intact and be accessible under reinstalled Desktop ? Are there any "gotchas" with uninstall & reinstall ? Thanx.

Bewildered Bob

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Hannah

Happy to hear that, Bob!

If you need any help or have questions, we're here for you.

Have a great day!

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Hannah

Hey @Bewildered_Bobby, thanks for reaching out to us.

You're actually very safe to uninstall the Dropbox app from your computer and then reinstalling.

Uninstalling the app, doesn't remove the Dropbox folder or your files.

If you want to install the Dropbox app with admin privileges, you can follow the steps here.

Let me know how it goes!

Bewildered_Bobby

I'm still running old but venerable Win 7 on the desktop. Dropbox "basic" desktop has been installed and reinstalled but possibly not as ADMIN (no specific request for admin password). The instructions provided for uninstall & reinstall do not appear to pertain specifically to either Win 7 users or the version of Dropbox for Desktop that is currently installed. After apparently successful reinstall clicking on the Dropbox entry in start menu fails to run it as expected. Otherwise Dropbox runs OK but I am curious if more options will be avail if it had been installed specifically as admin. How can I confirm that what is installed is appropriate for Win 7 and associated Dropbox version ? Thanx.

Bewildered Bob

Nancy

@Bewildered_Bobby, if you weren’t asked for an admin password while reinstalling the Dropbox app, you don’t need to worry; this means you’re already an admin on your computer and the Dropbox app was automatically installed with admin rights, so this is expected behavior.

To make sure everything’s running properly though, I’d like you to open your local Dropbox folder and right click on your files/folders; do you see any Dropbox options if you do this?

Can you see syncing icons next to your files, too?

Bewildered_Bobby

Hi Nancy: You wrote - "To make sure everything’s running properly though, I’d like you to open your local Dropbox folder and right click on your files/folders; do you see any Dropbox options if you do this? Can you see syncing icons next to your files, too?

On the local HD under PROGRAM FILES (X86) there is a fldr DROPBOX with 2 fldrs underneath - CLIENT and UPDATE. Underneath each of these 2 fldrs are other NUMBERED fldrs but nothing recognizable. Plz advise what is wrong. Thanx.

Still Bewildered Bob

Rich

@Bewildered_Bobby wrote:
On the local HD under PROGRAM FILES (X86) there is a fldr DROPBOX ...

That's the Dropbox program folder. Nancy was referring to the Dropbox folder where your files are stored. This is, by default, C:\Users\[your_username]\Dropbox.

Bewildered_Bobby

Rick: right-clicking on one of the fldrs shown shows a dropdown menu with several Dropbox specific entries: "copy Dropbox link", "view on Dropbox.com", "don't sync to Dropbox.com".

Does this mean that it has been installed correctly assuming that I have admin credentials even 'tho there was no request for admin password ? Thanx.

Megan

Hey @Bewildered_Bobby, it sounds the app is indeed installed to your device, yes.

If you don't face any palpable issues, then it means it's already installed with admin privileges.

Bewildered_Bobby

Hi Megan: Thanx for the quick reply. But Nancy also wrote - "Can you see syncing icons next to your files, too?" Since syncing icons are NOT visible can I assume that "syncing" is optional which may explain absence of syncing icons since my desktop is only device in use ?

Walter

Hey @Bewildered_Bobby, could you send us a screenshot of how your files inside your Dropbox folder look like at the moment including the app's status as shown in your system tray?

Bewildered_Bobby

Hi Walter: icon in system tray is a red square with white '1'.

Requested screen show shd be below (hopefully large enuff to be understood). If too small how can i make it larger ?

Bewildered Bob

Hannah

H again @Bewildered_Bobby, thanks for the screenshot!

From your screenshot I see that you have gray cloud icons on your files, this is one of the Dropbox sync icons that indicates that your files are in "online-only" state.

That means that they are present in your Dropbox folder, but are not taking up physical space on your hard drive.

If you simply double-click them, they should download and get a green check mark on them instead. Can you check and confirm?

Bewildered_Bobby

The online explanation of "Dropbox sync icons" is very helpful to view. Is a corresponding PDF avail for printing ?

Mark

There isnt an official one, no.

But, could you print and save as PDF?

Hannah

Thanks for your reply, Bobby.

Is everything working okay now?

Bewildered_Bobby

Hi Hannah: Thanx for asking. DropBox.com appears to be working as advertised but I still have more online learning to do. There is plenty of help avail (especially you wonderful staffers at DropBox) so I'm confident abt becoming more productive soon.

Less Bewildered Bob

Hannah

Happy to hear that, Bob!

If you need any help or have questions, we're here for you.

Have a great day!