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How can I go about re-linking an existing Dropbox folder stored on a separate drive?

I am reinstalling windows 7 and my old dropbox folder is on a seperate storage drive so hasn't been deleted by the instalation process. When I reinstall the dropbox software it wont let me use the old folder but creates a new folder and starts downloading all my files (0.5Tb). Do i have to delete all my files and download them again (I'd rather not)

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stashtvm

Hi thanks for the reply, have managed to sort it by creating a folder with exactly the same name as my old folder and windows merged them and now all my files are being indexed now

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Jane

Hey there (@stashtvm), you could link an existing Dropbox folder instead of re-syncing everything anew through the Advanced Settings on the setup window.

(Note: Please note that you may see Dropbox attempting to upload all of your files again. However, the server will recognize the files and should process the upload extremely quickly.

If any of the files have changed in your account- eg. if someone has updated a file in a shared folder- conflicted copies will be generated for the files which were changed.)

Now, as you mentioned that you had your Dropbox folder in a different location, you should ensure to choose the root folder path that Dropbox used to have, for example, if you have your Dropbox folder in the path "D:\OtherDrive\Folder\Dropbox" you'll want to select the folder "D:\OtherDrive\Folder". From there, please have a look at the following steps to get going with that:

Spoiler

#1. Link the desktop application to your account by following the instructions on the screen.

#2. Immediately pause syncing:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray ➡️ Click the :gear: icon. ➡️ Choose "Pause Syncing" from the menu.

#3. Copy the files from your external storage device into the Dropbox folder.

#4. Resume syncing:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your notification area ➡️ Click the :gear: icon. ➡️ Choose "Resume Syncing" from the menu.

Please have a look at my suggestions at your earliest convenience & let me know how you get on with my advice on this discussion here. Thanks for posting us on the Dropbox Community on the matter!

stashtvm

Hi thanks for the reply, have managed to sort it by creating a folder with exactly the same name as my old folder and windows merged them and now all my files are being indexed now

Jane

Happy to hear that this has been fixed for you now for you & thanks for sharing the news (@stashtvm)! :unicorn:

Please feel free to get back in touch on our Community if you have more questions; it’ll be a pleasure to work with you again in the future. Take care until then & have a wonderful weekend ahead!

MFNL

I have just switched to a new desktop but I managed to transfer the hard disk from the old to the new computer.

On that hard disk are all my dropbox folders.

Is there a way to re-install dropbox on my new computer and let it know where the old folders are?

The other option is to delete everything, install dropbox and synchronize the new computer from scratch. But I have almost 500 GB of data, and it would take quite some time to download it all.

Thank you all in advance,

Bets wishes

Maria

Jane

Hey @MFNL, kindly note that I moved your inquiry under this discussion, as I had previously posted some steps that could be helpful regarding the task at hand.

Please have a look my suggestions at your earliest convenience & let me know how you get on with these steps or if you have further questions in your next reply here. Thanks & enjoy the rest of your day until we talk again Maria!

MFNL

Dear Jane,

it is all working according to your suggestions. Sorry I missed the previous conversation and thank you for sorting it out.

Bests

Jane

Fantastic @MFNL; happy to hear this has been sorted for you now! Happy Dropboxing ahead Maria & don't hesitate to ping us back here if you need further assistance in any way; we're just a post away. Take care until we talk again & have a relaxed Friday ahead! 🤓

MFNL

a great friday and weekend to you too!

:-)

shadatalam

Hi Dear,

I am using windows 10 OS 64bit. My computer running slow. So I want to newly setup windows 10 OS 64bit. In my drobpox I have more that 30+GB files.
If I newly setup dropbox and then again downloading and sycning file from begening.

But I want to relink my previous downloaded file to newly setup dropbox software.

How is it possilbe, could you please help me regarding this issue?

I am looking for your reply.

Thanks

Shadat

Jane

Hey @shadatalam, it’s my understanding that you’d like to go about on the inquiry described here & that’s why I moved your post under this thread; please correct me if I’m wrong.

Please have a look at the pointers relayed on my message to the OP whenever you have a bit of spare time & let me know how this works for you or if you have further questions on your next message here. Thanks!

shadatalam

You moved here it's not wrong. I need solution.
Just tell me please, how can I reconnect with my dropbox folder to newly setup dropbox.

Jane

Apologies if I’ve misunderstood your request @shadatalam; just so as to ensure I’m following-up correctly, can you let me know whether you already have an existing Dropbox folder on your desktop? If so, would you like to link your existing one or re-install our app from scratch? Thanks!

shadatalam

Hi Jane,

Thanks for your quick response.

I am using windows 10 os 64bit. I have setup windows in "C" drive.
drobpox software also installed in "C" Drive

But my dropbox file saving in "D" Drive.

Due to my computer slow performance I want to re stup windows.
That means computer will be new and need to install dropbox again.

Problem start from here.........
When I finished to install dropbox then sycning files from begining. I want to just connect or link my "D'' drive dropbox folder.

I hope now you clear. if clear please solve this problem.

I am looking for your reply.

Thanks

Shadat

Jane

I appreciate all the additional details you’ve sent me now @shadatalam! Kindly note that the steps relayed in the previous page should be helpful as long as the \ drive's contents on your desktop have remained the same. In other words, my suggestion would be re-initiating the installation, then navigating on your Advanced Settings, so as to choose your \ drive & the follow my advice on the “More Information” box. Would you mind giving those steps a go & let me know here if this doesn’t bring about the expected results or the process halts for you at a certain point?

Thanks again for your keeping in touch here & I’m looking forward to hearing back from with the outcome you Shadat!

Search4f

Good morning
When I attempt to tell dropbox old folder it won’t let me tells me that folder already exists

Daphne

Good day to you too @Search4f, thanks for joining us here!

It sounds like you might be doing this with these steps through the desktop app preferences, is that right?

If so, you'll need to unlink your account from the desktop app and when you sign back in, you can click the "Advanced settings" option to choose the existing folder location.

I hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!