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Desktop, Documents and download files "not in Default Location"

Baron STJ

Just migrated data from old MacBook Pro to new 16" MacBook Pro 2021 with M1 Pro chip.

Updated from Big Sur to Monterey

My Dropbox icon which used to be in menu bar has disappeared. I want it restored so that I can see when it is uploading data to Dropbox.

Dropbox asked me to set up Dropbox and I get the message: Desktop, Documents and download files "not in Default Location - Move folders back to its default location, then try again"

I don't understand what that means nor how to do it.

Deleted Dropbox app and re-downloaded the app again.

It still does not show the icon in the menu bar.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

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Accepted answers

Walter

Hey @Baron STJ, thanks for using Dropbox and sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Based on the error you're getting, it seems that you enabled the computer backup feature on your computer. Are your Desktop, Documents and Downloads folders in their default locations or have you moved them somewhere else?

In regards to the missing icon, to resolve this problem, could you please try the following steps:

Click on the Apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen
Select System Preferences...
Then Security & Privacy
Select the Privacy tab
To make changes, you will need to click on the lock icon, and enter your macOS password
Select Full Disk Access
Check the box beside Dropbox
Select Accessibility
Check the box beside Dropbox
Now please, attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app.

Let me know how it goes!

All comments

Walter

Click on the Apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen
Select System Preferences...
Then Security & Privacy
Select the Privacy tab
To make changes, you will need to click on the lock icon, and enter your macOS password
Select Full Disk Access
Check the box beside Dropbox
Select Accessibility
Check the box beside Dropbox
Now please, attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app.

Let me know how it goes!

Baron STJ

Solved my problem by downloading Bartender. It looks like the spacing between icons in the menu bar was too wide. Reducing it showed the Dropbox icon.

Walter gave me a solution to the problem, but I had already solved it with Bartender. However, I wonder if someone can tell me what the "default location of Desktop, Documents and Downloads folders" is on a Mac.

Thanks Walter for your prompt assistance.

Veritaszzzz

I installed Dropbox a few days back and i just found out my entire desktop was moved into C:\Users\My Username\Dropbox\My PC (My PC Name)\Desktop. Is there anyway I can restore my desktop to its default location?

I have already checked the other posts and they somehow don't work for me:

1) I've tried moving back to default however it keeps popping out an error saying the filename is too long.

2) I tried manually moving the file back to C:\Users\My Username\Desktop but it wouldn't show it on my desktop

Thanks in advance

Megan

Hey there, @Veritaszzzz, I hope you're doing well!

It seems you're referring to our Computer Backup. Have you followed these steps when trying to disable it?

Let me know more!

Zackrice

Hello!
I am starting graduate school on Monday, July 25, and noticed that my desktop folders seem to be gone. I contacted Apple support and we were able to determine it was through Dropbox. Now here is the fun part… I’ve read the forums talking about stopping the backups from drop box, but every-time I attempt that route Dropbox is making me set up the backups and tells me they cannot backup the three folders because Dropbox needs permission. But I do not have those folders to give permission. So while it seems as if nothing has been backed up, my desktop, document and download folders are acting exactly as other members who were having this problem. I’m desperate for some help, thank you!

flatcoatdino

Hi. This is day 3 of my trying to resolve this Dropbox issue with Apple who cannot help further as Dropbox isn't a supported application. Dropbox has taken over my finder all the native folders i.e. Documents, Desktop and Downloads and I can't access them. So basically for work my MacBook is unusable. How can I change the dropbox settings so I can reconfigure my Finder. I opened a test user account and that works fine.

Megan

Hi @Zackrice & @flatcoatdino, I hope you're doing well!

It seems you have enabled Computer backup. Can you take a look into this Help Center article if you wish to disable it, and revert your content back and let me know if you have any questions?

Thanks a bunch!