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I use a Windows device, and my Dropbox files take 7-10 seconds to open in my File Explorer.

recently i have had issues with dropbox (db) opening files extemely slow. i figured it was my computer so i bought/installed a new 1tb solid state drive, reformatted, re-installed everything.. and it still opened slow, like 7-10 seconds per file (yes, can drive a man nuts). i decided to do a little troubleshooting and copied a file to my desktop to see if it still opened slow and BOOM.. flew open. so it looks like its dropbox that is having the issue. my dropbox folder is located on my c:. we live in the woods and have satellite for internet (not sure if that matters). windows 10, and brand new dell precision work station. windows defender is disabled (read that was an issue also). the files i mostly use are "autocad" files (.dwg)

thanks for the help!

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Walter

Thanks for getting back to me so swiftly @Platinumaa.

Fixing permissions won't change anything to the permissions the app was granted upon installing; the fix within the app's preferences I mentioned above is fixing the different permissions the files within your Dropbox folder have.

Quoting from the relevant resource, this is how to install the Dropbox desktop app with admin privileges:

If you already have Dropbox installed, uninstall the application.
Download the Dropbox application.
Open the installer.
- Do not right-click, and do not command-click Run as an Administrator
Follow the instructions in the install wizard.
- If you’re asked for an administrative username and password, enter them or contact your administrator to sign in.
- If you’re not asked for an administrative username and password, you’re already an admin on your computer.
Complete the installation and sign in to Dropbox.

And, yes, the 'Fix Permissions' and/or the 'Fix Hardlinks' buttons will force your files to sync anew when applied.

In any case, please take as much time as you need and report back with your findings.

Until we speak again, take care!

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Walter

Hi @Platinumaa; welcome to our Community and happy Monday!

Can you please let me know if you have installed the desktop app with admin privileges on the affected computer?

If this is not too much to ask, could you follow the steps below and let me know if they improve matters at all?

1. Make sure the Dropbox desktop application is running

2. Click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray and then click on the gear in the Notifications panel

3. Select 'Preferences'

4. Click on the 'Account' tab, and then click in the window under the tab (just anywhere will do)

5. Hold down the 'Space' key

6. Click on the 'Fix Hardlinks' button

7. You may be prompted for your a username and password, this is your computer login credentials, not your Dropbox account ones

8. Please wait about ten minutes to see if Dropbox resumes syncing.

If the above steps don’t resolve your issue, please repeat steps 1→5, but at step 6, this time click on the “Fix Permissions” button.

Please note that if you use “Fix Permissions” syncing will start back over. If you need to use this step, please allow for a few hours to pass and let me know the results.

Thanks a bunch!

Platinumaa

thanks for the reply, i tried the "hard links" method and it didnt work. i did check and it seems dropbox was not insalled with admin priveleges. i assume the "fix permissions" is the method to change that to admin permissions level? also, this will re-load the entire dropbox index back onto this computer correct?

since i live in the woods and use satellite, my bandwidth amount is limited. i will have to do that method closer to the end of my plan date which is this friday. i will reply here probably sunday with the results

thank you

Walter

Thanks for getting back to me so swiftly @Platinumaa.

Quoting from the relevant resource, this is how to install the Dropbox desktop app with admin privileges:

If you already have Dropbox installed, uninstall the application.
Download the Dropbox application.
Open the installer.
- Do not right-click, and do not command-click Run as an Administrator
Follow the instructions in the install wizard.
- If you’re asked for an administrative username and password, enter them or contact your administrator to sign in.
- If you’re not asked for an administrative username and password, you’re already an admin on your computer.
Complete the installation and sign in to Dropbox.

And, yes, the 'Fix Permissions' and/or the 'Fix Hardlinks' buttons will force your files to sync anew when applied.

In any case, please take as much time as you need and report back with your findings.

Until we speak again, take care!

Platinumaa

Mr walter, i uninstralled DB last night, re-installed as admin, it took all night to download all data. Woke up this morning, opened an autocad file from a dropbox folder path.. it flew open! your solution worked. thank you

Walter

Glad to hear it's sorted now @Platinumaa; thanks for keeping me in the loop too!

Have a lovely weekend ahead and see you around the Community

klasu

Unfortunately your re-install-guide didn't work on my computer (Win 10). I did NOT install it as administrator but installed it in the standard way. In fact it was the same way I did it at the first time. Opening a folder still takes at least 30 sec up to a minute. There is no difference if DP is running or not, if I'm connected to the web or not.

In the dropbox-desktop-app the folders opens much quicker and in the same speed as the other folders outside DP on my computer.

Any idea what do do?

best, klasu

Walter

Hi @klasu; welcome to our Community and thanks for joining our discussion.

As this is a very device specific matter, I'd suggest contacting our support team directly so we can assist further with account and device specific information.

Let me know the ticket's ID here if you like so I can get on it asap.

klasu

Thank your for your answer. I tried to get in contact with the support but am stuck in the loop of links on the page. By clicking "Contact Support" I get to a list of answers or I can contact a bot or the community. The bot doesn't start or open. And isn't this text that I'm writing anyway going to the community? Hmmm.

Any help?

best, klasu

Walter

Sorry to hear that @klasu.

As I wanted to have a better look into this, I just used the email address that's connected to your profile here to create a support ticket for you.

Whenever you get the chance, please take a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.

Platinumaa

walter, it started doing the same thing again. been like this for about 3+ weeks. i even had a technician look at it and they couldnt figure it out. i need further assistance please

Walter

Thanks for the nudge here and sorry to hear this is happening again @Platinumaa.

Can you let me know which version of our desktop app you're currently using and let me know any troubleshooting steps you might have tried so far?

Platinumaa

version v94.4.384

ive tried everything above. even reinstalled dropbox, didnt work so i reformatted my computer.. yes, reformatted!! my computer, reinstalled db.. and no change. it takes upwords of 15 seconds to open a file with a dropbox path (C:\Dropbox (xxxxx Companies)\xxx Companies Team Folder\Office\0-Project Folders\xxxxxx\client-1. but if i copy that same file to my desktop.. poof, it opens immediately. it dont have this issue on my laptop, almost identical path. it opens normally there. just on this desktop

Walter

I see; thanks for the speedy response @Platinumaa!

As our most recent stable version just got out yesterday, could you try installing this one (v.95.4.441) and let me know if you're still notice the same behavior?

Platinumaa

doing it now. reply back shortly. thank you for the speedy response also! :O)

Platinumaa

um.. yea, it looks like its opening much.. much faster now. like in 5 second area. that fixed it. hopefully it stays this way.

thank you! im solved!

Walter

As always, I'm glad to hear I could help @Platinumaa!

Thanks for keeping me in the loop too

See you around the Community and take care!

Platinumaa

its starting to open slowly again. 10+ seconds. my app version is "V97.4.467"

please advise on direction to resolve this very painful situation

Walter

Thanks for getting back to me and sorry to hear this is happening again for you @Platinumaa.

May I ask, approximately how many files are you syncing via the desktop app? Can you perhaps use selective sync for folders you don't need locally on your computer to lessen its load to see if this improves matters?

Let me know what you find!

Platinumaa

i already use selective sync for the files i dont use. besides, its all on C:, local drive with a ssd. if i copy the same file out of a dropbox folder to the desktop.. it opens instantly

Platinumaa

havent recieved anything yet. BUT.. i did just notice, when im connected to my regular home internet (satellite) it opens aroun 10-15 seconds. when i tether from my phone for internet it takes aroun 5 seconds.

why? it should be reading from the local drive, it seems its going to the internet to get information..?

Platinumaa

walter, i apologize but i havent received an email yet. would/can it be in some notification area on my dropbox login area?

Lusil

Hey @Platinumaa, I just wanted to jump in and ask if this could by any chance be due to a third party app running in the background?

Could you try temporarily closing third party apps, including security software and antivirus, that could be hindering the startup and syncing process of the desktop app? Maybe that will do the trick.

Let us know how it goes, thanks!

Waverly

There are several posted questions about Office programs freezing when opening Dropbox files. They open using file/Windows Explorer, but not directly through the Office programs. The other threads have Dropbox reps suggesting time-wasting solutions that lead nowhere, and the thread ends - see the link below. This is the one post that resolves the problem. Dropbox should add this to all the other threads, which typically end with I'm leaving Dropbox - which I was about to do too.

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Dropbox-installs-integrations/Opening-Microsoft-Word-documents-from-the-dropbox-desktop-app/td-p/318710

Alana818

Hi Walter,

I'm having the same issue as well. Previewing and opening files are extremely slow. Yes, I just downloaded the new app.

Can someone please help me as soon as possible. I've been having this issues for a few days now, and need to review quite a few images.

Platinumaa

it turns out my issue was slow internet service. i assumed the internet service speed didnt matter since DB files were stored locally. i live in the woods and used satellite and files opened PAINFULLY slow. i switched to cellular internet (blazing hog) and the issue went away. now files open normally as they should

Alana818

thanks for the intel! my internet is running as normal, and I'm only having the issue with this site

Alana818

thank the heavens! it's working now!

thank you Platinumaa again for chimming in : )