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"File cannot be accessed by the system" error message on my Windows device.

Joycegtx1951

I have a paid account from Dropbox Plus. When I attempt to access some files in Dropbox, I get the File Cannot be Accessed by the System error. This happens with all of my jpg and other photo files. I have been able to access all of these files in the past. It's only since I moved to Windows 11 that this has started. Any help is appreciated

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Joycegtx1951

The problem is fixed. I uninstalled Dropbox from my pc p, under my login and my husband’s login. I then deleted the Dropbox folder located in the user subdirectory on the hard drive. Rebooted and reinstalled. The only issue I have is that the thumbnails for photos stored on Dropbox do not show, only a folder icon.

thanks for your offer to help

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Rich

@Joycegtx1951 wrote:
When I attempt to access some files in Dropbox, I get the File Cannot be Accessed by the System error. ... It's only since I moved to Windows 11 that this has started.

Right-click one of the files and select Make available offline, then try opening it again.

Joycegtx1951

I tried to right click and the only Dropbox choice is "send with Dropbox transfer". No other options. The photo displays correctly in dropbox.com. And on my iPhone and iPad. The problem is Windows 11 explorer

Hannah

Hey @Joycegtx1951, sorry to see you're having this issue.

Can you please send us a screenshot of the error message you're getting and a screenshot of your right-click options?

Also, what's the current sync status and version of the Dropbox application?

You can hover over the Dropbox icon in your system tray for this info.

Joycegtx1951

Thanks for your response and your offer to thelp. Here are the right click Dropbox options

Here is the error I get when I try to access a photo from Dropbox via Windows Explorer. I have no trouble accessing Word, Excel or PDF files in the same manner. It's just photos. Not only does the thumbnail not display, now it says I have no permission.

I have administrative rights to the root folder

Joycegtx1951

Besides my response with screenshots, now I can't access any file. PDF, DOCX or Excel. Same issue

Joycegtx1951

thanks for your offer to help

ZekeH

I just went though this with my new installation on a Windows 10 computer. Patience. I finally tried to copy the file to another location when I found out that Dropbox had not finished synchronization. Once it was finished, everything works fine.

project9it

Issue: files in dropbox folder)s) showing grey x and receiving system error the "file cannot be accessed by the system".
The correct solution is: confirm if the issue is only on one device or all. If just one device,
1. uninstall dropbox,
2. delete the dropbox folder.
3. restart computer
4. re-install dropbox
5. log in and let files re-sync from dropbox server.