Child Item

What does "rename your existing folder" actually do when reinstalling?

Application Affected
(Dropbox)
Device
(Powerspec PC)
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
(Windows 10)
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
(236.4.5918)

Question or Issue
I've seen a couple of questions bring this up but it never gets answered. I'm in the middle of the loop with reinstallation after having to go to a hard drive clone and it's telling me "There's already a a folder or file named Dropbox." The location where I sent it is the parent folder of "Dropbox" so it's in the location where I want it.

I just want to know what happens if I click "Rename"? What does Dropbox do with the old files, and what will it do AFTER it renames the folder? Will it redownload all my files to a new folder? Will the old folder still be there? Will it actually try to merge the files? Please give me details so I can understand the entire process and not lose my files.

And I assume that if I click "Choose another location" and I just create a new folder for it, Dropbox will download my entire Dropbox to that new location, correct?

Thank you!

Find more posts tagged with

Setting Up the Apps

Desktop

Windows

Install

Spam

Insightful

Delivered

Comments

Rich

MelvisWeb wrote:
Will it redownload all my files to a new folder?

Yes.

MelvisWeb wrote:
Will the old folder still be there?

Yes.

MelvisWeb wrote:
Will it actually try to merge the files?

No.

MelvisWeb wrote:
And I assume that if I click "Choose another location" and I just create a new folder for it, Dropbox will download my entire Dropbox to that new location, correct?

Yes.

If you choose to rename the folder it's no different from choosing a new location. The old folder will be renamed, a new Dropbox folder will be created (just as if you picked a different location), and it will download all of your files to the new folder.

It can usually determine that the existing folder is for the account you're signing in to and just re-index it, but changes in hardware, like cloning the drive, probably interfere with that. If you want it to reuse your existing files without having to download them again, do the following.

First, rename the existing Dropbox folder to Dropbox_OLD or something similar. Install Dropbox like you did previously and select the location where you want the Dropbox folder to be created, then complete the install. Dropbox will create a new folder and start to download your files. Immediately exit the Dropbox application to stop it from syncing. COPY your files from the Dropbox_OLD folder into the newly created Dropbox folder. Once the copy is complete, start the Dropbox application again.

At this point Dropbox will start to index your files, during which it may appear to be uploading or downloading data, but it's only syncing comparison data and any changes it finds. BE PATIENT and let it work. It will take time, especially if you have a lot of files. Once the sync is complete and you're happy with the results, delete the Dropbox_OLD folder.

MelvisWeb

Thank you for your detailed answer, Rich.

I'm trying to rename the Dropbox folder but it keeps saying the folder is open in another program. I quitted the Dropbox program, ended the Dropbox processes, and the Dropbox services are all stopped but it appears that as soon as I click on the Dropbox folder and try to rename it, some program code starts up. Any ideas?

Nancy

Hey @MelvisWeb, does the issue persist, if you restart your computer? It sounds like there's a third-party program indeed, that's accessing the files in your local Dropbox folder.

MelvisWeb

Hi, Nancy. Yes, it persists after reboot. As soon as I click on the "Dropbox" folder name in File Explorer to change it, a Dropbox process appears in the Processes window of Task Manager, even though I've quit the program and ended all processes. Do I have to delete the Dropbox program in order to change the folder name? Or is there another process/service that doesn't begin with "Dropbox..." that I should end or stop?

Jay

Hi @MelvisWeb, there isn't another process that doesn't begin with Dropbox.

It might be necessary to perform an advanced reinstallation of the Dropbox desktop application to resolve this behavior you're experiencing on your device.

Rich

MelvisWeb wrote:
Or is there another process/service that doesn't begin with "Dropbox..." that I should end or stop?

That's usually referring to a third-party program, not Dropbox. It's saying that some other program has a lock on the folder or a file within it. There's likely another program on your computer that's using a file stored in Dropbox. Figure out what that is, close it, and you'll probably be able to rename the folder.

MelvisWeb

The first line on the advanced reinstallation instructions says: Save and quit all programs accessing files in the Dropbox folder. Grr.

So it's basically asking me to do the same thing as when I try to rename it via Windows Explorer. Which, I've seen on other forums, has been the problem program in other cases.

I've rebooted, quit Dropbox and ended the process, paused my backup program, paused OneDrive, signed out of Adobe and ended all Creative Cloud processes, and now I don't know what else to sign out of.

I can get a cmd prompt going in the right folder but it still says Access is denied when I try to rename the folder from Dropbox to Dropbox(underscore)OLD after I close Windows Explorer. Can I stop the Windows Explorer process without screwing things up to see if that's what's holding on to the folder?

Megan

Hey @MelvisWeb, let me jump in!

I found some steps online that you can search for and apply using your task manager in order to terminate your File explorer however I'm not sure this will be of any help. You can always give it a go.

In any case, would you mind sending over a few step-by-step screenshots in order for me to have a visual of the error you see, and the process that you follow when this happens?

MelvisWeb

Hi, Megan,

There's not much of a process I follow. I either get Access is denied or the Folder in use dialogue box.

MelvisWeb

Hi, Megan. I just sent images in a reply but they're gone now. Here's what the Explorer error message looks like. CORRECTION: I see that the post that I thought was missing is there now. Apologies for double posting.

MelvisWeb

This is how I end the Dropbox Service.

MelvisWeb

I've paused OneDrive. Should I quit it instead?

Megan

Hey @MelvisWeb!

If you could quit it, and try again that'd be great. I'll be waiting for your updates!

MelvisWeb

I've quit OneDrive but I still see this in the Resources list. Also, I'm leaving work right now for the day, so I'll have to take this up again tomorrow morning.

Thanks so much!

Rich

MelvisWeb wrote:
I've rebooted, quit Dropbox and ended the process, paused my backup program, paused OneDrive, signed out of Adobe and ended all Creative Cloud processes ...

Use something like OpenedFilesView to identify all open files and what process has them open.

MelvisWeb

There we go! I think that will help, thanks Rich.

I closed and reopened Explorer window and at each step as I tried to rename the folder I refreshed OFV and nothing changed at any one of those steps, so it must be one of these items thats' affecting it. Does anyone know what they are without me killing them randomly and potentially screwing something up?

MelvisWeb

Also, if you have a suggestion of one of the items in that to do something about, help me know which of the options below I'm supposed to do. We're getting into territory I know nothing about now.

Jay

Hi @MelvisWeb, we wouldn't be able to give any advice on this either for the same reason.

I'll leave this thread open for other users to post their suggestions.