I am using a different app to backup my desktop computer and its files. I want to continue to use Dropbox, but I don't need it to do the backups. How can I stop this feature?
Hey there @rhaines765 - how are you today?
As our desktop app is designed to watch your Dropbox folder and sync any files placed in the folder you'll only need to uninstall it. Remember, your Dropbox folder is just like any other folder on your hard drive, but with syncing features.
You'd then be able to access your Dropbox account through the website at:
https://www.dropbox.com/
Note that the Dropbox folder itself is still there as a local copy of your Dropbox files at the time you uninstalled (or unlinked) our app from your account on your desktop computer.
I hope this information helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Hello, Walter,
I am doing well today. Thank you for asking.
So it wouldn't cost me any more or any less to let Dropbox continue performing a backup? I see from other posts that indicate the backups are not retained indefinitely. I didn't want to be using up space.
That would be up to you and how you use it @rhaines765!
If you'd like to free up space on a computer using our desktop app, take a look at our selective sync feature:
https://www.dropbox.com/help/syncing-uploads/selective-sync-overview
Keep me posted on your progress!
I was able to do exactly as you suggested. I am using the Selective Sync instead of uninstalling the Dropbox app.
Thank you!
my god, that's such an annoying feature. I had trouble with my drop box recently and decided to un- and re install it. ....little did I know that I would spend almost an hour trying to fix this issue. why is it even enabled on a basic plan? who came up with that idea? the mind boggles. Oh, I did that survey after installing drop box, and I absolutely have to correct myself on the matter of "was it easy to find?" hell no! I thought I fixed it and it just kept creating back ups in the background. horrible. "Haha, stupid user, your own fault! why did you click through the installer menu like all the other times on all your other devices, just like you did these last 3 years? How dare you ignore our new futures you don't care about (and have absolutely no space for, so here are 5 reminders that you can buy more space*nodgenodge* *coughtstupidbasicusercough*) How dare you user! Now go! Waste some time and fix it!"
OMG, I am in the middle of the same Dropbox HELL you are reporting. I - - - BY MISTAKE - - - started the back-up "feature" two months ago and have been unable to save ANYTHING to my PC since then because of how completely messed up my PC is. I even called Carbonite, the service I pay to back-up my files and they did as much as they could to help me but had to pass me off to Support.com to try to get Dropbox out of my life without trashing my files and THAT idiot launched the Dropbox sync ALL OVER AGAIN!!!! I am also only a BASIC user so support is completely NON-EXISTENT from the evil empire called Dropbox. I have been manually backing up my files onto Flash drives for two weeks so that if I lose everything I can re-install but I am TERRIFIED to follow the directions given to me by the chat support, person, Colin, whom I was able to contact from my 11 year old iMac. That elusive support option is like Brigadoon -- only available every 100 years. Those directions come with the terrifying caveat, "make sure you don't select the option to delete the files from BOTH the CLOUD AND your computer!!!" And the weirdest thing is Dropbox is now "complimenting" me on my participation in the "Community!" HAH! I will probably have to fork over $45 to Droopbox to become a Business Team member so I can talk on the telephone to somebody. WRETCHED PROGRAM. I am happy to pay Carbonite to back up my files rather than have to suffer this NON service from Dropbox.
Such a good question! Every time I look and everywhere I look I see Dropbox has backed up people's files against their wishes....
I chose to backup "locally" -- as I got caught up in a long process I couldn't back out of or discontinue but now Dropbox is backing everything up to the "cloud" where I don't want it. And when I plugged in a very big external hard drive hoping it would back my PC to it, it just suggested that I might want to back up my external hard drive to the cloud (only it doesn't use the word "cloud" which makes the process even more mystifying and confusing).
so interesting that Dropbox hasn't done anything to address this issue in over a year....
DB is blaming us it appears. My company uses the free version, I am sure, so I have no way to get help unless I myself purchase space. Why would you purchase space if you are feeling like it is a bribe?
Hey @tess e, I'd be happy to help!
Can you let me know if you have a problem locating some of your files, or if you are having an issue when trying to disable the Computer backup feature?
It'll help me assist you with the appropriate next steps.
That would be so great Megan! I just want it to stop backing up my pc files and only keep the ones we downloaded for business reasons only. I cant find the details on my DB page that are in the link you shared
Hey @tess e, thanks for the speedy response.
Do you see any errors when trying to click on the link I mentioned above?
Where exactly do you face the problem?
I just don't see a way to stop the pc syncing and stop it from moving my things into a db folder
Hey @tess e, I hope you don’t mind if I jump in.
Can you please click here and let me know if you can see the exact steps on how to disable your computer backup?
wow! what a mess! so sorry you are dealing with this too! good to know I am not alone!
ok, I followed instructions thank you. It appears I stopped the sync of my personal files but I am still waiting to see them released back to my pc. They still show the blue circle that appeared the moment I reinstalled DB and all hell broke loose. When does that go away and leave my pc in peace?
Do you remember whether you chose the “Keep content in folders on this PC/Mac” option, when disabling the computer backup feature, so that you files may return to their original location?
From what you mention, it sounds like the desktop app is still syncing. If you check your system tray/menu bar, are you seeing a small Dropbox icon perhaps? If so, I’d like you to clarify what’s its current syncing status.
I have exactly the same problems. It keeps backing up my private files to my business DB. I've uninstalled the app and reinstalled. Nothing works. Already lost documents. And what it's supposed to do sync my business files it doesn't do. The reason why I uninstalled and reinstalled in the first place.
What a **bleep** feature. I would like a clear explanation as how to stop this and prevent it from happening ever again!
Hi @RIC4life, just for clarification, have you disabled the computer backup from the Dropbox desktop application?
Which folders in particular are syncing to the site? Regarding the business files that aren't syncing, are those visible on the Dropbox site?
At the moment I am just trying to do one thing and that is trying to get back as many documents as possible. Complete folders are empty, documents nowhere to be found. And to top it all off I have a back up from when this was all going on, so the folders are empty there to. Files that are on my hard drive all have that **bleep**ty DB sign.
I deleted the DB app, because I could make nothing work. I couldn't stop the stupid back up function. Instructions that were referred to didn't work. Total nightmare and a days work lost too.
Nowhere to be found!!!!! That made me delete the whole app. And the **bleep** just got bigger.
What option did you see when you viewed the desktop app preferences?
Are you able to locate the missing files on the Dropbox site directly on the Backups page?
No nothing there. And they are also not under the deleted files. Well, the empty folders are there too 😞
And I don't know exactly what I saw, just not what I was supposed to. Like I said it's been hours ago.
Each time I reinstall the app, after deleting all Dropbox folders completely of my laptop, it start the back up. I am unable to choose not now. I took the arrow out of all options, but still it keeps doing it. It drives me completely nuts. I don't want Dropbox to back up my private folders!
SAME EXACT ISSUE I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT SINCE MAY
If the missing files weren’t syncing to your account, then it wouldn’t be possible to recover them from the site.
However, it might be possible to recover the files from the local machine from the recycle bin, or using a third party app or service to do so.
Checked there day 1. not in recycle bin
How long has it been since your files went missing? Was it over 30 days ago? What plan are you on currently?
