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Dropbox isn't syncing files between my old and new Windows computer.

Three days ago, I added Dropbox to a new ASUS Zenbook (Windows 11). Since then, no files have been updated on the ASUS although I have changed files on an old (Windows 10) Dell XPS.

I tried uninstalling/reinstalling Dropbox on the ASUS, which erased/restored the Dropbox folder, but the files are still 3 days old. The Dropbox icon in the ASUS taskbar says the files are up to date. But they are not.

Likewise, any changes or added files I make to ASUS Dropbox do not show up on the Dell.

On both computers, the Dropbox file is stored on the local desktop (not on OneDrive).

I have added exceptions to my firewall (although it has allowed restoring the 3-day old Dropbox folder) but I cannot get recent file changes.

From https://help.dropbox.com/sync/check-sync-status

"How to sync a file or folder

...

3. Right-click the file or folder.

4. Click Sync next under Quick Actions."

I do not see Quick Actions. So, I tried "View on Dropbox.com" for 2 recently changed files. This showed the files as they were before I made changes from the Dell 2-3 hours ago. These match the old version I see on the ASUS.

Because sync is not working, I must resort to copying files via a thumb drive.

Please HELP!

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Rich

Fred O. wrote:
Do I need to re-install the app on the Dell?

Launch the Dropbox application and it should prompt you to link to an account. If it's already running, exit it and relaunch. Failing that, uninstall and reinstall.

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Nancy

Thanks for posting on our forum today, @Fred O.!

The files that you’ve added/updated via your old Windows 10 device, can they be found on your Dropbox account online?

Can you clarify what’s the syncing status and app version of the Dropbox app on your older computer?

We can further check this after that.

Fred O.

Thanks for your msg. The Dell exe file is ver. 212.4.5767.0 and it seems not to be syncing. There is no Dropbox logo on the taskbar. Also, the 3-day old exe file on the ASUS has the same version no.

I just logged-in to the website and the newest files there are from 16 Nov --- 3 days ago. So, the problem lies with my old Dell, which stopped syncing when I installed DB on the ASUS.

You have helped me find the source of problem. Thank you.

Here's a bit of history, which shows how the problem occurred. Before I got the ASUS, I had DB on 3 computers (the limit for a basic account). These were and old Win 10 desktop, the Dell Win 10 laptop and my wife's MacBook Air. Dropbox told me I could have only 3 computers, so I decided to temporarily disconnect the desktop. But apparently, I clicked the wrong control, and it is the Dell that was disconnected. I just checked the desktop, and its files seem to match the ASUS and the those on the website. Also, the DB logo is on the taskbar, and it says, "Up to date".

So how to disconnect the desktop & reconnect the Dell temporarily until I get the ASUS fully setup?

--- Fred

Megan

Hey @Fred O., happy to see that your issue is now resolved!

Do you need your wife's MacBook connected to your account? If not, then you can try removing it from your account using these steps.

Otherwise, you can follow the same steps with the Dell until the ASUS is fully set-up.

Fred O.

Thanks for the previous attempts to solve my linking problem. Per Megan's directions, I did unlink my wife's MacBook Air after logging-in to the website. But now I do not see how to re-link my old Dell laptop. The only link link I see is "Link your team account," which does not seem relevant.

Do I need to re-install the app on the Dell? It is shown as currently installed and the Dropbox folder (not synched) is still on the laptop. I have also copied some files to a thumb drive that were updated on the Dell DB folder but not synched to the other machines so I don't lose them when the Dell is re-synched.

Please tell me how to proceed.

--- Fred

Rich

Fred O. wrote:
Do I need to re-install the app on the Dell?

Launch the Dropbox application and it should prompt you to link to an account. If it's already running, exit it and relaunch. Failing that, uninstall and reinstall.

Fred O.

Thanks Rich and All,

I clicked on Dropbox in the links on my old Dell and that seems to have closed DB. Then (if I remember right -- had to try many things), I opened the DB folder and that called us the webpage on Firefox. However, I was still logged-in on Chrome. So, I logged-out & tried again. It took a long time and several attempts but eventually it seems to have worked.

As a test, I changed a file on the Dell and see the change in the DB folder on my new ASUS.

Thanks again to all of you.

--- Fred

Theresa

Hello and welcome to the Dropbox Community @Fred O. I am glad to see you finally got your issue resolved thanks to this thread.

If you're open to sharing, I’d love to hear how you use Dropbox daily and what features you rely on 👨‍💻.You never know, we might even be able to share tips to boost your productivity 💪.

T 😺(Dropbox Community Manager)

PS. We have dedicated spaces here on the Community. Take a peek and see if you’d like to jump into any of them 🤗.