I created Vault folder on dropbox.com. But it has been more than a week but I don't see Vault folder in Windows 10 File Explorer. Is there some setting necessary for the Vault folder to be visible on the Windows PC? I am using Windows 10.
It seems to be working! There is an executable file Vault.dbx-vault that is appearing in the File Explorer which asks for the pin and then the Vault folder appears.
Hi @indkal, happy Tuesday!
As a first thing, can you let me know your app's version, along with the syncing status, please?
Let me know, and we'll take it from there!
I am having the EXACT same issue!! I can see the "Vault" folder on my online account at (www.dropbox.com) but the folder is nowhere to be found in DropBox within Windows File Explorer on my Windows 10 desktop/laptop! The folder is also NOT visible under Finder in MacOS. I can see a file "Vault.dbx-vault" both on Finder and Windows File Explorer, but no folder. I've added sub folders to the "Vault folder" online hoping that would somehow make a difference, but still...there is NO "Vault" folder visible under my DropBox folder in File Explorer or Finder
I am able to see it fine on the iOS app.
My DropBox app version is 149.3.4526 and syncing status is "up to date" (Windows). On my MacOS, the app version is 147.3.4765 and up to date as well.
By the way, I am a DropBox Plus subscriber, so the feature should be available...
@Megan
Is the Vault actually supposed to sync to a computer? I know the instructions say it's accessible in Explorer and Finder, but in Selective Sync it's unchecked by default, and if you check it and apply the settings, it just gets unchecked again. It's as if Dropbox is specifically preventing the Vault from syncing to a computer.
My app version is 148.4.4519 and the sync status is Up to date. I now notice the Vault folder in File Explorer. I opened and transferred a file and then locked it. But now the Vault folder has disappeared from the File Explorer. Is Vault folder in beta?
Hey everyone, happy Monday!
First of all, @cfrivera1, it looks like you're using the beta version of the app on your end, which could be causing this. Can you access your account settings on the Dropbox website and turn Early releases off?
Then all you have to do is to reinstall the app anew.
Rich it should indeed be able to sync the Dropbox Vault folder on the device. Very interesting behavior there. Do you have the latest version installed?
And @indkal, you mean when you access the Dropbox folder you don't see it at all?
You gave me some hope Megan. Unfortunately turning off early release and reinstalling dropbox didn't make the Vault forlder visible within Windows 10 File Explorer (haven't reinstalled on the Mac yet). I restarted Windows post reinstall. I am now on Windows version 148.4.4519 and up to date.
....Yep, I just rechecked before login off, and no Vault folder visible in File Explorer 😞
Hm, can you send me a screenshot of what you see in your Dropbox folder, please @cfrivera1?
That'll help me have a visual too. Just make sure none of your personal info is shown.
Sure! Here you go. Am I missing something?!?
@Megan wrote: Rich it should indeed be able to sync the Dropbox Vault folder on the device. Very interesting behavior there. Do you have the latest version installed?
I'm on the latest beta and prefer to stay on it for now. The vault isn't all that important for me. I was just trying to troubleshoot a bit.
@cfrivera1 After you disabled Early Releases and reinstalled, go into your Selective Sync settings and make sure the Vault folder is synced. I didn't uncheck it and couldn't get it to stayed checked, but I'm on the beta. Now that you're back on the stable release, see if you can check it in Selective Sync and have it sync back to your computer.
So on my Windows 10 machine I am able to check/add the Vault folder under Selective Sync preferences, and confirm the update changes (twice) to add the Vault folder for syncing, but when I subsequently go back into Selective Sync preferences, it still shows the folder as unchecked, almost as if the request to add the Vault folder for syncing is simply ignored. As expected, no Vault folder visible in File Explorer. Interestingly, Vault is now visible and working flawlessly in Finder on my Macbook pro (btw, I never reinstalled the MacOS dropbox app). I have a second Windows 10 machine which is experiencing the same issue - request to add Vault folder to selective syncing is just ignored, and no visible folder in Explorer.
@cfrivera1 wrote: I am able to check/add the Vault folder under Selective Sync preferences, and confirm the update changes (twice) to add the Vault folder for syncing, but when I subsequently go back into Selective Sync preferences, it still shows the folder as unchecked
I am able to check/add the Vault folder under Selective Sync preferences, and confirm the update changes (twice) to add the Vault folder for syncing, but when I subsequently go back into Selective Sync preferences, it still shows the folder as unchecked
That's what I see as well, on two different Win 10 computers.
@Megan Sounds like something to pass on to the devs.
Hey guys, thanks for the amazing troubleshooting!
Have you also tried an advanced re-install on your end? If not, can you give it a go and update me on this?
@indkal wrote: It seems to be working! There is an executable file Vault.dbx-vault that is appearing in the File Explorer which asks for the pin and then the Vault folder appears.
@Megan Confirmed working here as well. Never noticed this Vault file before. I've always looked for a folder. Double-clicking the file results in a PIN prompt to unlock the vault, which then downloads the Vault folder. Locking the vault results in the folder disappearing and the file being recreated.
Perhaps it was always like this because I didn't reinstall or change anything in the app (though it could have auto-updated I suppose).
Very interesting...I did notice that file previously, and I believe I mentioned it somewhere in this thread, but being as careful (almost paranoid) as I am about double-clicking on any mysterious/unknown files, it never dawned on me to try that! Thanks to @indkal 's post I felt more comfy trying it, and I am very merrily confirming that the Vault folder is now visible and working fine in File Explorer (Windows 10). Thank you @indkal 🙂
Thank you all for the updates, and for trying!
I'm happy to see everything is working as they should.
Have a lovely weekend ahead, enjoy! " title="" />
The file Vault.dbx-vault in my dropbox folder is empty, 0 kbChecked in with Notepad: nothing in there.
I am using the latest version of Windows 10 and dropbox family plan.
Hi @ashmtl, happy Monday, thanks for posting here!
That file is required by the Dropbox Vault feature and it's a system file. Can you let me know what you wish to achieve on your end here?
Do you wish to remove it? Have you check inside your Dropbox Vault for any files, in case you're searching for them?
Keep me posted!
Hi Megan,
My goal is to have access to the Vault folder from my file explorer to be able to setup regular backups of private files. I saw the Vault.dbx-vault file in my file explorer window, but clicking on it did nothing and when I opened it in the text editor there was nothing in it. So, I deleted it. When I discovered what it was for, I restored it, but nohing was changed. Should it be empty?
I can manually add or delete files in the Vault folder in online Dropbox window, but can't see it on my desktop file explorer.
The same goes for my Laptop.
Hi @ashmtl, it is a system file, so its content wouldn't be relevant.
As for Vault locally on the devices: can you check the app's syncing status, and version you're using there?
If I were you, I'd also check my selective sync settings, just to check if the content is there or not.
Hi Megan.
All the settings were checked before I start looking for help and the Sync is set to ALL.
The contents are not relevant for system file but ZERO content, absolutely empty file, can not serve any purpose.
At least in my lifetime in IT I haven't seen any empty files doing anything, unless the system needs just to check the presence of the filename in the directory. I do not think this is the case with DropBox.
Thank you for your constant help, I really appreciate it. is there anything else can be done? Maybe there is a way to generate that file again without deleting the Vault and re-creating it?
The Select Folders in Sync menu in my Desktop app is missing the Vault folder. It doesn't show.
Hi @ashmtl, are you able to use these steps to open, add files and lock the Vault in Explorer?
Hello Jay,
No I can't. I can access the Vault online only. It doesn't show up in Windows File Explorer.
Were you able to locate your Vault locally, before deleting the system file @ashmtl?
No Megan, it was not there.
The Vault never showed up in my file explorer.
I have deleted the Vault folder from my online Dropbox account and re-created it.
Added some files from my Desktop.
Now I have the Vault.dbx-vault file on my Desktop, but there is no Vault folder.
Double clicked on the Vault.dbx-vault file and the app did ask for the key.
On my Laptop it took some time to show the Vault files.
On my Desktop the files showed up in 5 seconds.
It seems that the first Vault.dbx-vault file was corrupted, because when I was clicking on it, it was telling me to download the file.
After downloading nothing would happen.
It comes to a point that if it doesn't work, it will not work, unless you delete the Vault option from the online account and recreate it.
I would like to thank everyone who tried to help me with this issue. I hope others will know now what to do to save time.
Ash.
Is it safe to assume that you're all set with this now @ashmtl? 😊
Yes, it is. Just didn't like the deleting the Vault and recreating it. What if someone has huge files there? Not a good way of solving the problem, but it worked.
