Dropbox conflicted copies: why they appear and how to clean them up

Symptom

Files with names like “(conflicted copy)” keep appearing next to your originals.

Cause

Dropbox creates a conflicted copy when the same file was changed in two places before the changes could sync, for example on two computers, or while the file was locked by another app.

Quick fix

1. Find the copies. Search your Dropbox folder for “conflicted copy”.
2. Compare. Open the original and the conflicted copy and see which one has the changes you need.
3. Keep the right one. Copy any missing changes into the file you want to keep, then delete the other.
4. Let it sync. Wait for the sync icon to show that everything is up to date.

Advanced fix

If conflicts keep coming back, check what else touches the same files: another sync tool, an antivirus that scans on save, or a backup program. Close programs that keep the file open, and avoid editing the same file offline on two devices.