Anyone know where to find the gear icon on Dropbox?
I have Windows 10 and finally, finally found the gear icon and preferences. I agree that finding this should have been easier -- it should appear when one clicks the DropBox icon on one's desktop. But it doesn't. I created a very quick and dirty set of 4 screenshots that shows, in a very simple way (which is how I can understand these things) how I got to it. It starts with (1) the "show hidden icons" button that looks like an up arrow, on the lower right-hand corner of my screen (the area known as the "systems tray" - then (2) I clicked the DropBox icon (has a little check-mark on it) - then (3), a little box opens (labeled, "up to date" and lists "recently changed") and, lo and behold, the blasted gear icon appears in the upper right corner of it, so (4) I clicked that and got a dropdown menu that included "preferences." My very amateur set of screenshots is here:
Thanks so much!!!! I was going nuts trying to figure it out.
Same problem here (March 2017, Windows 10, latest Dropbox installer).
For the record, this trick worked for me:
In Windows Display Settings >> Advanced Display Settings, change screen resolution to something low like 1920x1080 as opposed to "recommended" resolution, and restart the computer. Then right-clicking on Dropbox icon in System Tray worked.
p.s. I blame Windows 10. NEVER had any Dropbox problem on my Mac over all versions of OS X.
Thanks for unraveling the mystery. I needed to move the files to another drive and couldn’t do it until I read your post.
Thank you!!! I had to disconnect my external monitors, change the resolution, restart, and then a little window popped up with a gear icon. Before nothing happened when I clicked the dropbox icon in the system tray
I think the point the whole point is that the icon no longer appears in system tray? i have that problem....
@Robert S. wrote: It really isn't that difficult to find: system tray > Dropbox client icon > gear icon See also: https://help.dropbox.com/desktop-web/change-preferences
It really isn't that difficult to find: system tray > Dropbox client icon > gear icon
See also: https://help.dropbox.com/desktop-web/change-preferences
May I ask more help... what if there is no folder that has the up arrow icon, in the system tray? I'm on Windows 10 too, on a Microsoft Surface... and I can't find the Dropbox icon at all and can't change my preferences/ selective sync... so now it is syncing everything !
I thought this was going to be the solution, but when I go to the dropbox icon in the system's tray, it doesn't have a check, and shows a box with Up to Date and the version number, but I don't get the recently updated box (or any box) with the gear in it. Does anyone have a solution to this? I already re-downloaded the desktop icon and that didn't work. I am running out of space on my hard drive and need to use selective sync. I' also on a Microsoft Surface, running WIN 10. No gear anywhere.
So mine had a really simple solution that I'm almost embarassed to post but thought to close the my own loop. Turns out my new surface was on tablet mode, even if, the keyboard was connected. And so, on tablet mode, no gear icon really appears. Switch back to PC mode, and icon found, problem solved. Ooops. New hardware adjustment issues.
Thanks. I checked, but am on PC, not tablet. Am going to try the suggestion re: changing resolution. Frustrating.
judyc wrote: when I go to the dropbox icon in the system's tray, it doesn't have a check, and shows a box with Up to Date and the version number, but I don't get the recently updated box (or any box) with the gear in it.
when I go to the dropbox icon in the system's tray, it doesn't have a check, and shows a box with Up to Date and the version number, but I don't get the recently updated box (or any box) with the gear in it.
If you single-click that icon you should see the Dropbox window appear, with the gear in the upper-right corner.
Also, the check mark no longer appears on the Dropbox icon. The screenshots shown in previous replies are out of date.
Dang brilliant Alicia E. !!! How did you ever find that blasted little "gear"? Good job!
Thanks,
Ward Overall
thank you so much for this valuable information, i was like where the hell is this gear wheel, it's just not user friendly, screen shots worked a treat
I cannot find the gear icon. Where is it hidden?
@CarolynMello wrote: I cannot find the gear icon. Where is it hidden?
Hello, @CarolynMello...
You didn't offer any specifics as to what tools you're currently using, such as; operating system or what type of device (eg: computer, phone or tablet).
As Mark has pointed out... if you read through this entire thread, you'll find 5-different posts with screenshots showing where to find the gear icon.
Please be aware that the gear icon is only visible when you're using the Dropbox Desktop Client.
If you have the Dropbox Desktop Client installed on your computer, then look for the Dropbox Icon in your system tray or menu bar (view directions - be sure to choose your operating system).
After locating the Dropbox Icon, click on it and you'll see the gear icon in the upper right-corner of the Dropbox pop-up window.
If above didn't help you, please do as Mark suggested by giving more information to us so we can assist you further (consider posting a screenshot so we can see what you're viewing minus any sensitive info).
I'm listing the Help Center articles below for your convenience, this way you can read them at your leisure.
HELP CENTER ARTICLES:
Most helpful. I did not know what the systems tray was or where it was. Thanks you
Hi. I have the Dropbox app. I have clicked the dropbox icon in the system tray. A window comes up. But there is no gearbox in the upper right hand corner of the window that has opened up. I am running on Windows 10. Thanks.
It's this icon...
I am trying to paste a screen shot, but every time I try, I get the message, "An unexpected error has occurred" with no explanation about what has gone wrong
Try going to "Account". The gear is top left
This worked for me, thank you!!
I can't see the gear icon when I open the dropbox app on my desktop to be able to selectively sync. How can I find it? I only see my files
When I open my app, I only see my files, no icons or menus with preferences! help
2019 update - to get to preferences, for me it was selective sync, things have changed. Now,
1) You need to click on the 'hidden icons' arrow at the bottom, like the screen shot
2)Click on the dropbox icon once and this opens a new pop-up window
3) In that pop-up window, you have to click on your account profile (three vertical dots) in the upper right corner
4)Click on preferences
5) Click on "Sync"
6) Click on "Selective Sync"
I am tied into my school's shared Dropbox. But within a week, I was getting notices from Dropbox that I needed to pay for upgraded space. This is because every single grade level was syncing to my personal account, when I was only concerned with one. My guess, as a cynic, would be that this feature is well hidden so people get frustrated enough to purchase the upgraded storage from Dropbox. It should be accessible when I log into my DB account. Not burried through a hidden icon, 5 levels deep.
That did not help me. The gear box is still not visible. I would like to add a screenshot but screenshots only land in Windows 10 clipboard and are rejected because of lack of space. GR
that still didn't help me
I am using MacBook Pro 10.15.3
please help me find it.
Thx
Hi Lynda
The gear icon doesn't seem to be where it was. In stead try clicking on the Dropbox icon on the very bottom right of your screen, then click on the downward arrow to the right of your photo, You can then pause syncing etc.
Hope this helps
Christine
Sorry, Annozie, I am not familiar with Macbooks
Hope someone else can help
