We are aware of the issue with the badge emails resending to everyone, we apologise for the inconvenience - learn more here.

Forum Discussion

Runnerdad's avatar
Runnerdad
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

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

My Documents folder has all my working files, and I have uploaded it to Dropbox (10 GB data). I created this folder a few years ago because I wanted my files on the hard drive only and did not want t...
Computer Backup
Desktop
Sync
  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    3 years ago

    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.

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

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!

Runnerdad's avatar
Runnerdad
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

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's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    3 years ago

    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?

     

    1. Select the white or blue OneDrive cloud icon in the taskbar.
    2. Select Help & Settings > Settings.
    3. On the Account tab, click Unlink this PC and then Unlink account.
    • Runnerdad's avatar
      Runnerdad
      Helpful | Level 5
      3 years ago

      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

       

      • Runnerdad's avatar
        Runnerdad
        Helpful | Level 5
        3 years ago

        Here is the status of OneDrive after unlinking my PC:

         

About Create, upload, and share

Find help to solve issues with creating, uploading, and sharing files and folders in Dropbox. Get support and advice from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!