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Desktop files/pictures disappeared after uninstalling - Mac OS 10.14.6

Efreken7

Hi Jay. There are a few similar queries but none seems to offer a practical solution to my frustrating problem.

After removing/uninstalling a recent 'Dropbox' application (and removing/emptying its items from the trash) I see all my desktop items have disappeared - except 'Macintosh HD'. The desktop icon in 'Finder' appears to be empty. 'Documents' / Applications & 'Downloads' all appear to be unaffected. All that is left of a 'Dropbox 'reference on my Finder are folders: "com.dropbox.client.crashpad" and "com.get.garcon" ??

Because a Desktop icon no longer exists on Finder I am unable to save items to desktop - quote: "The operation can’t be completed because the original item for “Desktop” can’t be found."

Any remedies to recoup my missing desktop information and files? Thank you.

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Daphne

Just jumping in here too, hey there @Efreken7!

On a Mac device, dragging an app to the trash will uninstall the app for you.

This means that you can do a fresh install of the app from our website here.

During the setup of the app, it will ask if you want to set up the computer backup. From that window, you can choose to just enable this for the Desktop and not any other folder.

Let me know if this helps Lance!

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Walter

Hi @Efreken7; welcome to our Community and happy Monday!

As it seems like you've enabled the computer backup feature, we'll first need to clarify if you disabled the feature before uninstalling the desktop application from your computer.

Could you take a look at the relevant Help Center article and let us know if it helps?

Thanks!

Efreken7

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I have read the Help Center Article.

Dropbox was fully installed initially. I then simply dragged the Dropbox icons to the trash. I did not uninstall. I do not believe that i disabled anything at all .. either before installing or after. I have attached two pictures. I. Desktop picture upon logging in.. no files in there, only "mackintosh HD" in the top corner, and 2. my Finder page. Clicking on 'Desktop' only bring a few old files but these do not appear on the main page. Main Desktop page.jpg Finder Page.jpg

Does my reply make sense. I am only reasonably tech savvy unfortunately.

Jay

Hi @Efreken7, it sounds like you've deleted the Dropbox folder, without disabling the computer backup first, so this is why the desktop files are missing.

Can you try recovering the missing files from this page to see if they sync back to your machine.

Efreken7

Jay. That seems very plausable. I did not disable the compter backup.. Checked, but "no recentlydeleted files".

Actually I am not too concerned at losing the files etc that were on the desktop, but would certainly like the ability to again post things to the Desktop page. Thanks.

Efreken7

Oops! Just noticed I replied to Walter and not Jay's message. Apologies!!

Efreken7

Jay. No missing files to recover. Any idea where I can go to now to get this problem sorted out?

As I previously indicated I am not too concerned about losing my desktop files (although it would be nice to recover them!). Geeting my fully functioning Desktop back again - and being able to post items /files etc there is my main goal now.

Thank you.

Walter

In that case, you'll need to re-install the app (if you indeed uninstalled it at some point) and then, disable the computer backup feature @Efreken7.

Upon that process, you'll get the option to either "Keep content in folders on this PC/Mac" or "Leave content in Dropbox" as needed.

Let us know how it goes!

Efreken7

Walter. I definitely did not uninstall the Drpbox App as I was unsure as to how to go about that function. Merely dragged into trash and then cleared out trash bin.

Before I try your valued suggestion, I thought iI should share what 'Dropbox' items/files are still showing on my Mac when I search my finder: com.dropbox.client.crashpad, com.getdropbox.garcon , Dropbox file solver.webarchive

After installing Dropbox as you suggest, do I find the 'Computer Backup' feature on the Dropbox App ..?

Thank you again for your input.

Lance

Daphne

Just jumping in here too, hey there @Efreken7!

On a Mac device, dragging an app to the trash will uninstall the app for you.

This means that you can do a fresh install of the app from our website here.

During the setup of the app, it will ask if you want to set up the computer backup. From that window, you can choose to just enable this for the Desktop and not any other folder.

Let me know if this helps Lance!

Efreken7

Daphne. Appreciate your input. I have just reinstalled Dropbox BUT did not see the computer backup option during the install. Now that I have Dropbox back, any chance of doing this computer backup now? I see I still have not got my full desktop functually back -(cannot move any items/files etc to my desktop). Thank you.

Efreken7

Daphne. Finally some good news. Reinstalled the Dropbox App a few minutes ago and wow ... have my Desktop and all the files back again!! Thank you for taking the time to suggest a resolution. It did work. Lance

Efreken7

Walter. Thank you again for your input.

Finally got my desktop and all its files back again!

Regards, lance

Efreken7

Jay. Thank you again for your input. Finally got my Desktop bacl plus all the files therein!

Regards, Lance