Dropbox and OneDrive overlap, when trying to back up my files

Hey again, @Runnerdad!

As per the syncing icons that you mention on your desktop app, you can take a look at this article for more info. If you have any follow-up questions though, please let me know.

Also, thanks for the screenshot that you sent!

Can you send me one more screenshot of what you see after right clicking on the folders you wish to back up with Dropbox and going to their Properties? This will help me understand whether they’re still being accessed by OneDrive.

All comments

Walter

Hi @Runnerdad, thanks for joining our Community!

To directly get to the chase, you're spot on on your assumption. You should copy or move any files or folders that want to be backed up to Dropbox into one of the OS folders that are supported (i.e. Desktop, Downloads and Documents) and then enable the computer backup feature as outlined here.

And no, there should be no issues with the folders you've already uploaded to Dropbox in the past.

Let us know if you have any other questions!

thanks will give that a try!

I had no problem moving my folders into Documents (system folder). I tried to sync but Dropbox must have seen a copy of OneDrive backup on my PC and got the error message. Next I stopped the Sync to OneDrive, and I uninstalled OneDrive from my computer and restarted my computer (Windows 10). I tried the Dropbox backup feature 3 times and got the same message each time: "Can't backup to both OneDrive and Dropbox" and it says to Remove Documents from OneDrive and try again. I searched for OneDrive on my PC and it does not exist. I'd appreciate any further recommendations as I'd guess this has happened before. Thanks!

Hannah

Hey @Runnerdad, sorry to jump in here.

Would you mind reinstalling OneDrive and then following the steps below, to unlink it from your computer, and see if that helps?

Select the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
Select Help & Settings > Settings.
On the Account tab, click Unlink this PC and then Unlink account.

Thanks Hanna, I appreciate the suggestion but it did not seem to work for me. I'm new to Dropbox, is this the best way to get support? Thanks again, David

Here is the status of OneDrive after unlinking my PC:

Maybe this is related to backups- when I download research files into my Documents system folder (which is also saved on Dropbox) I get the message below. Only if I select "Move out of Dropbox", does the file not get deleted. What does this mean?

Hannah

When you say that you download files to your Documents folder, can you clarify that please?

Are you downloading files directly to that folder, or are you moving the downloaded files from the Downloads system folder to Documents, and then you get this pop-up?

Hannah, I keep all my files in the Documents system folder shown below in different sub folders and do not move documents. Thanks, David

another screenshot with Dropbox expanded. I use the folder under This PC that is highlighted in blue, that's when I get the popup message from Dropbox

Hey @Runnerdad, I hope it’s OK if I jump in, too!

Can you also send me a screenshot of what you see when following these steps?

Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
Click your profile picture or initials.
Click Preferences.
Click the Accounts tab.

Nancy, in case you check back, I have a follow up question. I notice now that some of my folders are tagged with green circles with white checks, and other have white circles with green checks. Both the green and white icon tagged files and folders are available offline, because I disconnected internet and could still open the file. My files with white icons let me choose "Make available offline" and then the circle turns green -- there does not appear to be any way to change the icons back to white (which is less distracting). I would prefer they were all tagged with white icons since green and white all have the same availability anyway. Is there a functional reason for the difference between green or white circles, or am I missing something. Thank you.

Hey again, @Runnerdad!

As per the syncing icons that you mention on your desktop app, you can take a look at this article for more info. If you have any follow-up questions though, please let me know.

Also, thanks for the screenshot that you sent!

Thanks Nancy, now that I have my folders arranged properly, there are no errors. Problem solved

Great news, @Runnerdad!

If you need something else, I’ll be around the Community.

I'm still having this exact same problem trying to set up dropbox on my surface pro 7+ windows 11. I've uninstalled and reinstalled onedrive and dropbox so many times its making me crazy. It appears the original poster solved his issue but I dont see how. please help

I cant even figure out how to get back to the setup where it gives this insane error message. I cannot find how to do it. I have to uninstall it and do it again just to get it up to try and end up with that stupid message.

in windows 11, there appears to be no way to bring up a Dropbox app to try to fix the settings etc. it will only bring up a windows search folder, of which dropbox is but one of the folders. please help

ok I figured out how to get back to the error message without having to uninstall reinstall. God. but I still have this same error message. how did the OP solve this?

i gotta say, this is really stupid. I pay a lot for dropbox, & this is a late model regular windows 11 surface pro 7, not some obscure device. this should be simple and turnkey. why in the name of God will dropbox backup my Download forlder and my Music folder but not the Desktop and Documents ?????? I'm going to have to work out of the Music folder just as a workaround? that is so stupid. please for the love of God, if somebody actually solved this problem will you explain how you did it

Megan

Hey @yourekillingme, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Could you tell me more in regards to the error message you mentioned? If you have any screenshots to attach back to me, they're more than welcome.

Also, which version of the app do you have installed on your device?

Keep me posted!