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Dropbox won't open but says it's open so I can't uninstall

Setup a new user in Mac High Sierra. All works fine except Dropbox. I open it but no window appears. I try to delete it so I can set it up again but it won't move to the Trash because it says it's open. I have made sure it is not in Log0n Items and it doesn't appear in force quit.

I've tried going back to a previous user to delete it but same problem. I've made sure both users have all permissions. What else can I try to delete it and reinstall?

Someone else posted that the answer is in HKEY_USERS{SID}\Software\Dropbox, but I have no idea how to get to that and web search revealed nothing.

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Elixir

Hi @Blain B., can you please see if the Dropbox process appears in the Activity Monitor. Just launch Spotlight search ([command] + [space bar]) and search for Activity Monitor. There in the Memory tab, you should find Dropbox process if it is running. Select the process, and click force quit. Then uninstall Dropbox and reinstall. If the problem persists try these steps https://www.dropbox.com/help/desktop-web/advanced-reinstall

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Those registry (HKEY_USERS...) tricks are for Windows operating system.

Jay

Hi Blain, sorry to hear about this.

Those instructions refer to the registry, which is only found in Windows machines and not Macs.

Could you try the steps in the following article to completely uninstall Dropbox and to also close any open processes prior to doing so?

Hope this helps!

CatherineTodd

These instructions do not help to remove Dropbox nor tell me how to uninstall since it says there are "plugins in use" when I tried to force quit Dropbox and move to the trash. I am using Macbook Air OS 10.10.5. Now I remember why I quit using Dropbox before. PLEASE HELP!

Walter

Sorry to hear you're still having issues with this @CatherineTodd!

In order to fix this issue, you should open the 'Activity Monitor' utility on your computer, normally located under Applications > Utilities, and see if there are any other processes associated with Dropbox that may be preventing Dropbox from being removed from your device.

Once you have launched 'Activity Monitor', if you see any items that refer to Dropbox, or recognize any programs that you may have linked to Dropbox, could you please perform the following steps?

Click on the line that references the process to select it
Click on the 'X' at the top left corner of the screen. Be careful not to click on the 'X' that closes the window, but the one that will 'Force a process to quit'.

After you've done so, please try to follow the normal uninstall instructions.

You should be ready to go now Catherine. Should you need anything else, just let me know. Thanks!

heide

THANK YOU!!!!!! I have ben trying everything - even all of the suggestions in the Apple community that seemed to work for everyone else. This FINALLY worked!! Thank you thank you thank you!

Walter

Glad to hear this worked for you Heide ( @heide)!

Should you ever need anything else, feel free to ask; we'd be more than happy to assist.

Thanks for using Dropbox and have a lovely weekend!

mariamineo

I had the same problem. I followed the directions to use the Activity Monitor and force quit Dropbox. Still couldn't delete the app. Then I realized the dropbox things in the activity monitor that kept popping up were linked to Safari. I was in the Dropbox Support forum on Safari. I quit Safari. And was able to uninstall Dropbox...finally.

Now I have to figure out why the reinstallation isn't working!

Walter

Are you getting any errors @mariamineo? Could you share a screenshot?

Have you by any chance tried our offline installer from the following page directly?

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Desktop-client-builds/Stable-Build-64-4-141/m-p/322084#M5164

ScottTexProp

I cannot locate this folder anywhere. The only folder open is windows edge or chrome to download the pc version.

Здравко

Hi @ScottTexProp,

Make difference between application window and disk folder.

Open the file explorer see what you can find out there. Also, while trying the action again, close any other open application (after save current work).

Hope this gives some direction.

ScottTexProp

I’ve already did that and uninstall and reinstall 3 times. Luckily I saved all my files on external HD.

Здравко

Ok @ScottTexProp, You have a backup so may be the easiest way is to remove the Dropbox directory completely. Open Windows file explorer and using Ctrl+L key combination focus changes to address line. Clear the line and paste there "C:\Users\Userp" (without quotes, of course) and push Enter. After that, locate the Dropbox folder below and remove it permanently (mark the folder after that press Shift+Del and finally confirm the removal). An alternative could be in a terminal window just type "rmdir /s /q Dropbox" (again - without quotes and without change the current working directory, which have to be: C:\Users\Userp). After that try install and see what error message appear, if any.