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Why do I have my Dropbox files in two locations on my Windows 10 PC?

Question or Issue

I am confused as to why I find my Dropbox files and folders in two locations on my Windows 10 PC.

If I click on "Program files(x86)>Dropbox>Client>Dropbox" a screen with my files and folders listing comes up but is partly overlaid with half a page showing Recent Activity and Account Usage etc.details. If I click on the underlying main screen, or the overlay, the overlay disappears leaving the full screen with my Files and Folders list fully in view.

Also, if I go to "Users>my initials>Dropbox" I notice that this shows with an old "Date Modified". However, when I click on this address my files and folders list appear with all recent updates.

I am thoroughly confused and would be grateful if someone would kindly tell me if it is correct for my Basic Dropbox account files and folders should be showing in both the addresses as above. I note that "Recent Activity and Account Usage" etc. details do not show in the Dropbox folder within "Users" and wonder why. I also note that the Dropbox Icon is not available in the System Tray, and not just hidden, in spite of having recently deleted and replaced the Dropbox app.

Thank you.

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Rich

Gordon T.1 wrote:
The top screenshot appears when I open Dropbox in the "Program Files (x86) folder. The bottom screenshot shows when I open Dropbox found in "Users" folder.

You don't have your Dropbox files in two locations. That being said, Dropbox uses two locations on your computer; one where the application is installed, and another where your files are stored.

The Dropbox application, the part that controls syncing, is installed under Program Files, but your files are typically stored within a Dropbox folder in your user profile. That's completely normal.

In your first screenshot you're opening the application which shows you the sync status of your files and allows you to access Preferences and other options related to the app. The second screenshot shows where your files are actually stored.

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Hannah

Hey @Gordon T.1, thanks for your post.

Let's see what we can find out about this.

First of all, can you please send us a screenshot of how these two Dropbox folders look? You can hide the file names on the screenshot before uploading it, if you want.

Also, can you click on your Dropbox icon and go to the "Sync" tab of your preferences to see what the app thinks is the location of your Dropbox folder?

And if you add a test file to both locations, which one syncs the file to your account online?

Let me know and we'll go from there.

Gordon T.1

Hello Hannah,

The top screenshot appears when I open Dropbox in the "Program Files (x86) folder. The bottom screenshot shows when I open Dropbox found in "Users" folder. The "sync" tab ( which I can only view in the Program Files version ) shows the location of Dropbox in C:\Users\grtat\Dropbox. I am not sure about your final question regarding my account online but if I add a file to Dropbox in either location it immediately shows in the other location. Also, if I add a file in either Dropbox it appears on a second laptop in my Dropbox account files. Hope I have not made it more confusing.

Kind regards

Gordon

Rich

Gordon T.1 wrote:
The top screenshot appears when I open Dropbox in the "Program Files (x86) folder. The bottom screenshot shows when I open Dropbox found in "Users" folder.

You don't have your Dropbox files in two locations. That being said, Dropbox uses two locations on your computer; one where the application is installed, and another where your files are stored.

The Dropbox application, the part that controls syncing, is installed under Program Files, but your files are typically stored within a Dropbox folder in your user profile. That's completely normal.

Gordon T.1

Thank you for the explanation Rich. Sorry for the late reply. I have been away for a few days. I have marked your reply as a solution.