To move the local Dropbox folder on a Windows PC, use the Dropbox desktop app’s built-in control: open Preferences → Sync, choose Move beside Dropbox folder location, and select the new destination. Don’t drag or rename the folder in File Explorer; Dropbox warns that it won’t sync a folder moved or renamed that way.
Before you change the Dropbox folder location
- Close applications that may be using files in Dropbox.
- Turn off computer backup before beginning the move.
- Make sure there is enough disk space for Dropbox to move the folder and its contents.
- If two Dropbox accounts are linked in the desktop app, select the account tab whose folder you want to move.
Dropbox says the folder keeps its existing name and cannot be renamed as part of the move. Choose the destination path, not a new folder name.
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Move the Dropbox folder on Windows
- Click the Dropbox icon in the Windows taskbar. If it is not visible, check the taskbar’s hidden icons.
- Open the account avatar or menu, then choose Preferences.
- Select the Sync tab.
- Find Dropbox folder location and click Move (some app versions may show Move…).
- Select the new location and allow the Dropbox app to move the folder and its contents. Keep Dropbox open until the move completes.
- Sign out of the desktop app and sign back in after the move so your preferences move as well.
Dropbox’s preferences instructions confirm that Windows users can relocate the folder through desktop app preferences. Labels can vary slightly by app version, so use the current folder-location control in Sync. See Dropbox’s guide to moving the Dropbox folder and its desktop preferences instructions.
Choose between moving Dropbox and selective sync
Moving changes the local path of the Dropbox folder. Selective sync leaves that path in place but lets you remove selected folders from this PC while keeping them in your Dropbox account. Use the option that matches what you need:
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| Goal | Use | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Store the local Dropbox folder in a different location | Move the folder in Preferences | The folder and its contents move to the selected location. |
| Free local space without relocating the whole folder | Selective sync | Unchecked folders are removed from this computer but remain in the Dropbox account. |
Selective sync is available to all Dropbox users, including Basic, and its folder choices apply to each computer individually. Read Dropbox’s selective sync overview for its current setup instructions.
Avoid moving the folder manually in File Explorer
Do not use File Explorer to drag the entire Dropbox folder to another drive, and do not rename it there. Dropbox says it will not sync a folder manually moved or renamed through the operating system. If the app loses track of the folder, it may try to sync it in full from its last known location.
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If you meant moving files inside Dropbox
Changing the desktop folder location is different from reorganizing files and folders in your Dropbox account. To move account contents from one folder to another, follow Dropbox’s separate instructions for moving Dropbox files and folders.
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About moving Dropbox to another drive
The Dropbox guidance cited here explains how to choose a new folder location, but does not establish compatibility requirements for Windows external drives, drive formats, or connection arrangements. Check Dropbox’s current guidance for your specific setup before selecting an external drive.
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