Dropbox keeps complaining about "Can't Sync 'System Volume Information'"

I sent a reply but it seems to have evaporated. Yes, changing permissions seems to have cracked it. I accept deleting the folder wouldn't help. And it seem to me you can't create a folder with the same name because the OS would just say that it already exists, yes?.

The takeown command was a new one to me; it may have been valuable but I can't tell. Certainly changing permissions was the important thing, and also de-selecting it once it was visible finally clinched it.

So thanks, guys, good work; I am grateful.

All comments

Marco R.4

Same problem here!

VDas U.

Same problem here!

I was having this issue also and unfortunately since there is no command line for dropbox on windows I had to go about it the ****** way:

First go to folder settings and show hidden files and folders and show system files.

Go to the location of the system volume information folder and right click -> properties -> security -> advanced -> add "users" with full access

Open CMD and use "ATTRIB -H -S <path to system volume information folder>"

Restart your computer and wait for dropbox to rescan that folder at which point the folder should appear on the selective sync list.

I haven't fully tested the outcome of this since dropbox is still syncing files but it seems like it should work. I imagine one could reset the security settings on system volume information afterwards, if not hide it again altogether.

Stuart M.13

Just for anyone else having problems with the System Volume Information error above:

- It stops the dropbox updating deleted files, and when copying files from one location to another, may leave copies in the original file

Follow the advice of Will T. (above)

Note that you must unhide system files: Clear the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) check box

As soon as full access is granted to the file, dropbox will complete. (I also de-selected it from sync)

Selective sync works of the folders that are in the cloud, not the machine.

So I would expect you can just create the folder via the website, and then selectively unsync it.

I have the same problem - "Ca't sync System Volume Information ... ". and tried to follow the guidance above. But in Windows 10 I don't have the option to view system files - just hidden folders and drives. There is no sign anywhere of a System Volume Information. I'm wondering if Win10 does not allow you to see system files at all, regardless of what you ask to do - and yes, I am administrator. There is no such file/folder in the Dropbox account so I can't tackle it from that end. Any ideas?

So dropbox is saying it cannot sync System Volume Information but you cannot see the file even in the command line? You could try "dir /A:H" or "dir /A:S" to show hidden or system files respectively. Then one could use the "takeown" command to take ownership of the files and folders.

I just tested this breifly and I can see "system volume information" on a flash drive using dir /A:H on Windows 10.

Seems like everything just gets harder and harder to use : /

Thanks for that reply, Will.

Yes, using the dir /A:S I can indeed see the folder System Volume Information. But I'm unsure what the takeown command is going to do that helps me. I can only run it on files, it seems, not folders. So can you advise what I shouid do with it? I can't delete the folder, obviously, so I need to make it such that Dropbox will process it. Presumably now Dropbox looks at the folder, finds it can't access it or something, and just sits there waiting till it can.

So your first suggestion is great - I can now SEE the ****** folder - but I need advice as to what to do with it now.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4019461/DB-Forum-NewPost.jpg

I am certainly no expert in these matters but I believe takeown works on folders or directories based on the /? switch information.

Can you take ownership of the hidden file and/or folders then set them so that they are not hidden or system files using attrib? Then hopefully you will be able to deselect them in the Dropbox selective sync menu.

Terry P.

Sorry to ****** in here, but I'm going nuts trying to find out how to post a new topic! I've done so in the past. All I see is this:

I see how you could be confused now that I look at it. Check the bottom of the page for the blue button.

Terry P.

Thanks Will. Not the most intuitive place to put it IMO, but I should have looked there!

Well, if I run CMD as administrator (helpful!) I can own the System Volume Information folder but I can't change the attributes; I get told they are not being reset. So I will wait and see if Dropbox can sync that folder or whether I have to do something else.....

I see your issue now. It seems the behavior of Windows was changed with Win10 in this instance.

I may have gotten it to work on my flash drive on Win10, try this:

Show hidden and system files by going to control panel -> folder options.

Right click properties of "system volume information".

Under security - > advanced, set yourself as owner and apply.

Under security add "users" to the groups and give full control (I got an error but it still worked).

Use attrib -S -H to unhide and un-system file "system volume information".

Mine now appears to be un-hidden but I am unsure of how consistent this will be. You might have to fight with it a bit.

That was ****** work. The "view hidden files" used to be "view hidden and system files" Now you uncheck "Hide system files" from further down the list of viewing options. Then I could see the folder, change its security, and, as you said, it claimed "I can't do that!" but did it anyway. It is still saying it can't sync the "System Volume Information" folder - which is empty anyway - but maybe by tomorrow it will have got the idea that it can!! If it still won't I will try and delete it!

I will come back if any more problems (which seems probable!).

Thanks for your help

Why dont you just exclude the folder from syncing via the suggestion I made, it would seem much easier. (Deleting it wont help you windows recreates it)

Dave,

I didn't see your previous post. That is a very good idea if it works. I would be curious to know if anyone tried it successfully.

I did not mean to suggest deleting it. Only making it un-hidden so that it could be de-selected from syncing. The idea of creating a folder with the same name and un-selecting it is interesting.

So thanks, guys, good work; I am grateful.

Reg A. : re "And it seem to me you can't create a folder with the same name because the OS would just say that it already exists, yes?."

IIt seems to me if people actually read replies they wouldnt write counter replies that are not applicable.

So again....

Selective sync works of the folders that are in the cloud, not the machine.

So I would expect you can just create the folder via the website, and then selectively unsync it.

Tested and works fine, no hassle no hardship.

Will M.1

I had this problem. Dave's solution was very easy and worked (after an hour of trying to get the other way to work on Window's 10).

1. Go to dropbox.com and sign in.

2. Navigate to the same folder where the System Volume Information folder is located on the physical drive (in the root Dropbox directory in my case) and create a directory with the name "System Volume Information" in the same dropbox.com folder.

3. Go back to your computer's system tray and now System Volume Information is visible in the selective sync list. Uncheck it. Life is great again!

Michael E.11

I'm having this problem too and it seemed to pop up for no reason just recently. My root Dropbox folder does not even include the System Volume Information folder in it's hierarchy so why is Dropbox trying to sync it? It sounds like a bug with Dropbox.