Child Item

Recent high CPU usage when Outlook 2019 loaded due to Dropbox trying to sync the PST file

Over the last few days Dropbox has started hammering the CPU when Outlook 2019 is loaded. I have not changed the configuration or folder structure in years. The PST file is in the Dropbox folder and obviously Dropbox can not sync it when Outlook is running as the file is locked. But Dropbox never used to hammer the CPU like it is suddenly doing now.

- Windows 10 64bit, 100% up-to-date

- Dropbox 186.4.6207

- I tried reinstalling Dropbox

- I tried disabling Windows anti virus. There is no other anti virus installed.

- the PST file is 3GB

- Dropbox is fine once Outlook is closed and it has sync'd the PST file which is pretty quick

Any idea what may have changed?

Find more posts tagged with

Desktop

Storage space

Sync

Windows

Insightful

Closed - Partially Delivered

Delivered

Accepted answers

All comments

Hannah

Hey @drb01, thanks for reaching out to our Community.

I assume restarting both the Dropbox app and the computer has not helped, right?

If you haven't tried, please do and let us know the results.

Thanks in advance.

drb01

Hi yes, I have rebooted, and also re installed Dropbox and rebooted again. Unfortunately it didn't help.

Jay

Hi @drb01, are you certain that all security software has been temporarily terminated, and any open applications as well, to ensure the file syncs?

could you check the bandwidth settings in the app as well to see if there are any restrictions on them?

drb01

Hi, yes I have ensured anti virus and security is disabled. Only Windows security is installed. And upload is set to "limit automatically" which it has been set to for years.

But this is missing the point. Dropbox is trying to upload a 3GB PST file, but it can't because Outlook is open and using the file. There is nothing new here, Dropbox has done that for years and a little blue badge appears on the Dropbox system tray saying it is trying to back this file up. What is new is that Dropbox is hogging the CPU when trying to upload the .pst file it can't upload. If I exit Outlook, the file is unlocked, Dropbox uploads it quickly, and then CPU usage is normal until I load Outlook again.

Nancy

Hey @drb01! Sorry for jumping in.

Can I message you to this email address, and look into this further?

drb01

Yes, sure, any help much appreciated!

Nancy

You're all set, @drb01! Please check your email address, and reply back to my message.