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Cannot find Dropbox preferences to set up selective search

Setting up new PC with Windows 11 which is new to me. I have installed dropbox on my PC and was attempting to set up selective sync. Instructions from Dropbox site are to open dropbox and click on my avatar in upper right corner.

1. There does not appear to be a dropbox app per se. Instead, when I click on the Dropbox icon, all I am seeing is File Explorer open to Dropbox.

2. When I do that, I go into File Explorer and there is no icon and no "preferences" option from any menu I can see.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you!!

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Rich

@PierreL1 wrote:
There does not appear to be a dropbox app per se. Instead, when I click on the Dropbox icon, all I am seeing is File Explorer open to Dropbox.

You're clicking the Dropbox icon on your Desktop or from the Start menu. You need to click the icon in your system tray/notification area.

https://help.dropbox.com/account-settings/view-preferences

All comments

Rich

@PierreL1 wrote:
There does not appear to be a dropbox app per se. Instead, when I click on the Dropbox icon, all I am seeing is File Explorer open to Dropbox.

You're clicking the Dropbox icon on your Desktop or from the Start menu. You need to click the icon in your system tray/notification area.

https://help.dropbox.com/account-settings/view-preferences

PierreL1

Thank you!

Next problem is that I am unable to select any folders in the selective sync options. My cursor has no effect on anything on that screen. I cannot select or unselect anything. Everything else on my PC works fine btw.

Megan

Hey @PierreL1, how are you today?

What is the app's syncing status at the moment? Can you also send me a couple of screenshots of what you described above, in regards to your Selective sync settings?

Thanks a bunch!

jason999

I am having the same problem. The Dropbox app from the system try does no have the usual tabs that would allow me to select/unselect folders for syncing. Oddly, on my other laptop the Dropbox app still functions as normal.

jason999

Just an update: The selective sync controls briefly reappeared in my Dropbox app (which I access through the system tray)... an hour later it's gone again. Crazy!

Next time I can get the app to open with controls I will never close it.

Hannah

Hey @jason999, sorry to hear about this.

Since you still have a Dropbox icon, can you hover over it, and let us know which version of the app you're running and what's the sync status?

A screenshot of how the preferences appear on your end, would also be really helpful, if you can send us one.

itevans

Hi Hannah,

I have the same issue and see no solution for selecting preferences and therefore selective sync

I unistalled and reinstalled the app and the normal Preference options window was visible but after I made a selection of folders to appear on my desktop as part of the setup it disappeared never to return. At least not by any mechanism I tried.

Rich

@itevans wrote:
I have the same issue and see no solution for selecting preferences and therefore selective sync

The top of your screenshot appears to be cut off. Does it not show the full window, or are there no icons above the Sync History and Activity tabs? Or does that screenshot show the very top of your monitor and the Dropbox window is partially off-screen?

itevans

Thanks Rich,

The screenshot includes the top of my display.

Those icons do not appear and the Dropbox window is immoveable

Jay

Hi @itevans, do you have any custom DPI or zoom settings on your desktop display resolution from within the Windows settings?

itevans

Your question got me thinking. I used to run an external display from the laptop that is problematic. This window pops up inconsistently on the external display.

I have other issues which preclude me using it BUT if I connect it at least I can make the preference changes I want.

I'd still prefer to see the window as designed.

Wondering if the external display settings are carrying over although it is disconnected?

Ideas gratefully received.

Jay

An external monitor could be affecting this somehow. You could try these steps to see if they help with the display of the Dropbox desktop application.

itevans

I can change the resolution of the displays however it's not happy being attached to the laptop. The Input Signal is out of range and the recommended resolution settings are not available as an option. 1680x1050 @ 60 Hz

itevans

This worked for me.

Thank you so much Jay.

chrosenb

I had the same issue! This picture was necessary for me to understand what I was looking for, thank you!!