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Folders are in confusing locations on Windows 10.

How to untangle unwanted syncs using Windows 10 File Explorer?

I use Win Explorer's filing system, and have an old Dropbox folder as well intended for a few special folders. Folders have started to be confused: some subfolders appearing under Dropbox, others where they should be: Windows Quick Access. No Dropbox app is used on the PC with Dropbox (2GB UK storage). I don't want to upgrade from my free installation and want to use Dropbox only for a few folders synced with Dropbox servers. Otherwise leave my folders as I set them!

I can find no Settings to sync or unsync folders with Dropbox. Right-clicking the folder in Win Explorer brings an error message saying the drive F: is unavailable. It's a USB drive only logged in at the times I update. Have Dropbox servers spotted a chance when this happened? I didn't authorise it!

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Comments

Jay

Hi @Roger K, thanks for messaging the Community!

In order to understand what you're referring to , could you attach a screenshot showing this layout in Explorer?

This will help me to assist further!

Roger K

I would like to attach two screenshots on a Word A4 document, but cannot see a link to attach here. Would another format such as PDF work?

Jay

You can attach an image, (either JPG or PNG) by clicking this button in your next reply:

We wouldn't be able to accept a Word or PDF. You can take a screenshot on your computer using these steps.

Roger K

This looks small but has two screenshots

Jay

In the screenshot, there's only a notification about an F: that can't be accessed, which doesn't contain any file path related to Dropbox.

Could you clarify why this has to do with the Dropbox desktop application?

Roger K

Yes, I don't want to use F: for storage, and want a minimal use of Dropbox. I never consciously put a folder in F: which is a USB connected small drive, and I don't think I have a Dropbox app.

However Dropbox always appears listed in Explorer in two places.

Hannah

Hey @Roger K, thanks for the screenshots.

Since there is in fact a Dropbox folder on your computer, you did install the Dropbox app on your computer, at least at some point.

If you look at your system tray, at the bottom right of your screen, do you see a small Dropbox icon, along with your other app icons next to the clock?

Roger K

I've not noticed before the links from the bottom right of the Explorer basic screen. What it shows is very like Explorer Quick Access.

Yes, there is a Dropbox logo and folder. It has about six folders and as many PDF files.Included are Dropbox.Cache, Desktop.ini and a folder Dropbox - copy.

Hannah

Thanks for checking, Roger. Can you let me know what you'd like to do now?

Do you want to get rid of the Dropbox app and the Dropbox files from your file explorer?

Roger K

Yes, I would like to delete except what is necessary for me to access and upload when I wish. I seem to have two Dropbox folders at the moment, and have another app for occasional sky storage.

Megan

If you want to uninstall our app you can follow these steps in order to do it @Roger K.

Once you do so, you can then remove any content you don't need locally, without your files online being affected.

As for the two Dropbox folders, are you referring to your latest screenshot? Is it possible that it's the same folder, but has two places on your navigation pane?

If you open both Dropbox instances that you see there, do you notice the same path?

Roger K

Thanks Megan for replying about my Dropbox installation tangle.

Today’s problem

Sub-folders are split, some are accessed in a folder in one place as seen through Explorer, others I placed in the same folder with same name are elsewhere. In Explorer Quick Access I am beginning to see recently accessed folders in a black surround, 4 of them out of 18. The folders or sub-folders I want to open are hard to find, and because the names are retained I don’t know which has recent updates, or where to find correct current information.

Anomalies and history

There seems to be more than one instance of Dropbox. I have owned this PC from scratch and have not installed Dropbox more than once.

Originally I downloaded one instance of free Dropbox. When I needed a new Outlook address I was signed onto an institutional account for [personal information removed per the Community's Guidelines] retaining other email accounts. Free Dropbox folders were still accessed. I ignored Dropbox messages suggesting I make changes.

Finding a solution

Is there a control panel for all Dropbox? It would allow or preclude merging Dropbox accounts. It would allow or preclude syncing. Unless I place a folder or file into the Dropbox section of my Explorer files it or they should stay on my PC and not be moved without my say-so to a Dropbox folder which reflects the servers in the cloud. I want to see in Explorer my own set of files, with Dropbox elsewhere.

At present I have access as below, and to answer your question this is seen via Quick Access > Dropbox. But a folder Tree has the path This PC > Documents > TCRA > Tree. It should be a sub-folder in TCRA but at present is a separate item in Quick Access visible below.

I don’t want to keep downloading apps, and with a minimal requirement for free Dropbox do not wish to use it except for the organisation folders I have acquired and created more recently.

Using Explorer can I delete the recent Dropbox and if so where from? What about the Dropbox - Copy shown in the clip?

I do not wish to delete the folders but do wish to group folders.

Is there a solution to the problem with different content for folders with the same name?

Hannah

Hey @Roger K, let's see how we can untangle this, because it's gotten pretty complicated indeed.

So, if you click on the small Dropbox icon in your system tray, click on your initials/profile pic, click on 'Preferences' and then on 'Account', you'll see the Dropbox account that's linked to this computer.

Only one Dropbox account can be linked to a computer (unless you have a Dropbox Business plan, which allows a personal and a Business account to be linked to the same computer).

If you click on the Dropbox icon and then on the folder icon next to your avatar, you'll be taken to a Dropbox folder; this is the syncing Dropbox folder of the linked account.

Also, again in 'Preferences', this time on the 'Sync' tab, you'll be able to see the location of the syncing Dropbox folder.

Any other Dropbox folders in other locations are not syncing to your account online.

Can you try to figure these out, before you delete anything, and let me know what you find?

Roger K

I'm falling at the first hurdle because there's no Dropbox icon in my taskbar. Instead, when I click on the Dropbox icon with my initials on my desktop, or from Quick Access, I see 4 folders and two files. The folders include Dropbox - Copy and .dropbox.cache. There is also a file desktop.ini

A search for Preferences is unavailing. How do I get to it, and where do I go from here?

Hannah

Hmm, the Dropbox icon should be located at the bottom right of your screen, next to the clock, WiFi icon etc.

If you can't find it, make sure to click on the arrow that shows the hidden icons as well.

Are you still not able to find it?

Roger K

Found it, a 'hidden icon', and now Preferences and Sync are there. Nothing changed yet.

I'd like to keep folders and files on my PC and only upload when I decide. There's also Dropbox - copy, which is small and goes back 4 years. A candidate for deletion perhaps.

Despite it's being ticked below, I not getting messages on Email me when someone replies.

Megan

In regards to the emails, are you talking about our Community perhaps @Roger K?

Roger K

Am I asking about emails? The question centres on what I see in Explorer Quick Access. Folders and files are being moved about without my giving permission, there is no overall control panel to stop syncing, and I want in Dropbox only what I choose to place there.

In the two Dropbox accounts I have some historic folders and others, which can remain, accessible from a community account accessible by others.