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Can't redirect into reparse point please choose different target path

So, I uninstalled Dropbox. Now I find that my folders; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and God knows what else are all set to my Dropbox folder. When I go to 'restore' these folders to their correct, default Windows 10 path, I get the above error message. This is outrageous. What is the solution?

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Emmet

Hello everyone,

Our engineer's have looked into this and have provided a solution that should assist. If you follow the steps below, this should ensure that your folders are restored to the default for your PC. If you have any other issues, feel free to create a new thread and we will follow up with you shortly.

1) Make sure the Dropbox desktop application is running (re-download if you have already deleted the application)
2) Click on the Dropbox icon in the system tray and then click your profile picture or initials
3) Select ‘Preferences’
4) Click on the ‘Account’ tab, and then click in the window under the tab (just anywhere will do)
5) Hold down the ‘alt+H’ keys
6) select the option to “reset OS folders”

All comments

Zenendos

Please I'm having the same problem could I get some help..

Chris Fisher

I am experiencing exactly the same issues and can now no longer open any of my files on my computer (although can access them online through the backup Dropbox folder which is presumably where they have all been moved to).

Please help (via personal email or however is possible)

Carlotta123

I'm having the exact problem that others are describing. I tried the instructions given about reinstalling the desktop app (I had uninstalled it) to stop the backup but running into an issue.

When I install the app, it asks me for a location for the Dropbox folder and it created a new path. When I go to Preferences/Backups, I cannot go to the original dropbox folder to stop backing it up. It's giving me only the Setup option as if I am setting up a new sync.

In the Sync tab, Dropbox folder location, I cannot select the original folder. It gives me a message like "This folder is your current Dropbox".

Can someone from support PLEASE help me sort out how to fix this so I can reset my Document and Pictures back to the default locations? I have been going around in circles with this for weeks and it is getting frustrating.

Snoozin58

I am having the exact same problem. I cannot reinstall the desktop app, since several months ago, Dropbox decided that I could only use Dropbox for S Mode even though my Surface Pro 6 is running Windows 11 Pro on an Intel i7 processor. I had set up the Backup feature when I was running the Desktop app (for years) on this computer. Need help now!!!

EdNewbold

I, like hundreds of other people, am experiencing the SAME SITUATION with the Windows "Can't redirect into reparse point, please choose different target path" error. This is DISGRACEFUL on Dropbox's part that the don't have a solution to fix this and are obviously trying to IGNORE it. I am so sorry I waster my money on such a lousy company.

If any of you have had this condition fixed, please let the rest of us know how you did it.

Thank you very much,

Ed in Ohio

Walter

Hi all, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

For everyone affected, could you try the following steps and let us know how it goes?

If you have the desktop app installed, check that computer backup has been disabled successfully for each folder as outlined here.
Open Windows Explorer, right-click the folder that you wish to check—for example, Documents (from Quick Access or My PC)—and click Properties. Click on the Location tab, and check that the path to the folder is correct. If disabling "computer backup" is successful, then this should be something like the following where User is your own (computer's) username.
- If the path is something like C:\Users\User\Dropbox\My PC (<hostname>)\Documents then, the computer backup disable has not completed successfully. You can now click on Restore Default: this will reset to the default location; also, you will be prompted to move the files back to their default location (click Yes for this).
- If the computer backup has been successful, then you should be able to simply open Windows Explorer. Go to your Dropbox folder, and click on My PC (<hostname>) where <hostname> is the name of your machine.
Click into the folder, for example, Documents, where you want to revert your files back to.
Copy or move those files back to the original folder (in this example, the Documents folder) which should be accessible from Quick Access or My PC.

Once you're done, your files should now be back in their default location, and depending on whether you moved or copied them, they will be removed from or will remain in the Dropbox folder respectively.

I hope this helps!

Snoozin58

I do not have the desktop app installed and cannot reinstall it. As I originally posted, I have a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 running Windows 11 Pro and use it as my laptop. However, Microsoft/Dropbox decided that it was a tablet. Several months ago, I received a message that I could no longer run the desktop app and was forced to Dropbox for S Mode. If there is a way to turn off backup using Dropbox for S Mode, please explain. Otherwise, I need a different solution to regain control of my files and return them to their original locations.

EdNewbold

Nope, that didn't work. Same old error message:

Screenshot 2022-02-02 093213.png

Megan

Hey @EdNewbold, how are you today?

As Walter mentioned above, and based on the screenshot you provided us, you would need to open your Dropbox folder and then access your My PC folder.

Once you copy the files from your downloads, you should be able to move them back under their path on your device. Have you tried that?

Also, @Snoozin58 if you access your Security tab can you unlink your device and see if that changes things?

EdNewbold

I did exactly what you said, and I still get the same result on both my Desktop folder and my Downloads folder:

Screenshot 2022-02-02 133351 Desktop Folder.png

Dropbox has SERIOUSLY DAMAGED my PC's file structure!

Ed Newbold in Columbus, OH.

Walter

Hey @EdNewbold - happy Monday and sorry to hear you're still having issues with this.

May I reach out via email to have a further look internally?

EdNewbold

Yes, please do. I really could use your help!

Ed Newbold

Walter

No worries, Ed - you've got :envelope:

Please take a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.

EdNewbold

You might try a resend, since I haven't received the "mail" you mentioned.

Thanks,

Ed Newbold

Walter

Sure thing, Ed.

I just send you another email to the email address that's linked to your profile here, in our Community.

Could you have a look at your inbox and also you spam/junk folder as well and let me know if you received it this time?

Snoozin58

Which folder do I need to check the security tab on?

Walter

I'm sorry I'm not quite following here @Snoozin58

If you are referring to the instructions I posted earlier in this discussion, then, it would be your Desktop, Downloads or Documents folders, depending on which ones you had chosen to backup when you first set it up.

fdsafgasdfgas

i have same problem as everyone else. however i deleted my original dropbox account so now i cant do the unlink computer thing like you said. what do i do now.

fdsafgasdfgas

HOO RAH I FOUND A FIX FOR EVERYONE

follow instructions here

https://appuals.com/fix-cant-move-the-folder-because-there-is-a-folder-in-the-same-location-that-can...

basically open up the registry editor. and manually remove drop box from the locations of each subfile. done in about 5 minutes. after struggling on this for hours.

Emmet

Hello everyone,

EdNewbold

Worked perfectly for me. Thank you!

KennethDotsey

There is no one that can answer this question Basically if things with a computer do not work you either have to format the hard drive and reinstall the operating system

EdNewbold

No... do not do that. It's way too drastic. The Dropbox engineers came up with the correct answer above, and it works. If you're stuck, ask them for assistance in working through the necessary steps.

kraknx7

I have this problem too. It's so annoying. I don't want my folders moved when I install Dropbox

fdsafgasdfgas

Hello. I have this same issue but i cant do this solution because i deleted my original dropbox account i used

damnfdh

re-downloaded the dropbox app and It only created a new path "2022 Dropbox (Old)". What should I do?

Hannah

Hey @damnfdh, thanks for the nudge and sorry to hear you're having trouble.

Can you let us know what the issue is exactly? So more details, would be really helpful.

And if you can also describe the steps you followed, after you came across it, that would also be great.

Is anybody else perhaps still having issues with this?

Thanks!

anthonymassis

I made an account just to say this feature is one of the stupidest features to ever exist. I uninstalled dropbox and noticed it was still integrated into my registry. I deleted the folder not knowing it held my entire desktop, and wiped my whole drive. I system restored, and I still lost 80% of my files. I had no idea dropbox was so terrible, and literally a VIRUS. If you want some constructive feedback, tell your dropbox engineers to automatically have the OS folders reset when you go to uninstall.

rudinskyla

I am also having trouble redirecting the reparse point. When I try it says unable to redirect, please choose different target path. I have redownloaded the dropbox app but am unable to sign in since it was through a company account and they changed the password when I departed the company. Now my connections to personal folders, like downloads won't work. Can I get some assistance?

Jay

Hi @rudinskyla, could you attach a screenshot showing the error message you're getting on your device?