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Box Drive encountered an error at initialization that requires you to manually move aside your existing Box folder

Box Drive , End User , Troubleshooting , Article , Product Utilization

If you have encountered this error message, it is important to read through this article carefully to gain a better understanding of the underlying cause and the steps necessary to resolve the issue.

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When does the prompt appear?

The error prompt may appear when using Box Drive on macOS version 11.5 or later, specifically when operating in File Provider Extension mode. This issue can occur during the initialization phase if there is an existing folder located at ~/Library/CloudStorage/Box-Box. The presence of this pre-existing folder can prevent Box Drive from initializing properly.

 

This situation might arise if the Box Drive application was unable to completely remove the Box Drive folder during its last session. Consequently, the remnants of the previous installation can interfere with the current operation, leading to the error prompt you are experiencing.

How to resolve this error?

To resolve this issue, you will need to manually relocate the Box Drive folder. Please follow the detailed steps outlined below:

1. Start by launching the Terminal application on your macOS device.

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2. Next, copy and paste the following command into the Terminal:

sudo mv ~/Library/CloudStorage/Box-Box ~/Box-Box-Backup
If the command provided above results in an "Operation not permitted" error, you will need to follow these additional steps to grant the Terminal application the necessary permissions. Afterward, you can attempt steps 1 and 2 again.
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    • Navigate to "System Settings"

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    • Select "Privacy & Security," then choose "Full Disk Access"

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    • Provide "Terminal" with Full Disk Access by toggling it on

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    • After enabling Terminal, you will be prompted to enter your password. Please input your password and click "Modify Settings" to confirm the changes.

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3. Once you have completed the above steps, restart the Box Drive application.

4. Finally, check the "~/Box-Box-Backup" folder to identify any files that may not have been synced. You can either manually upload these files or delete them to free up space on your hard drive.

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