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The desktop app doesn't open, only my Dropbox folder does.

I need to get the actual app to open so I can change the settings (because even though I select "never for this device" for downloading photos, I get the stupid Download Photos window Every Friggin TIME I connect my phone to my computer). The problem is that when I 'open' the Dropbox app on my computer all it does is take me to the Dropbox files on my computer. The app itself never opens. I just installed the latest update and it still doesn't open the actual app.

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Jane

It’s great that we’ve now ruled out this being attributed to a syncing issue, so let’s follow a different path towards resolution @jakryk.

Taking it from where we’ve already left off, it looks like you’ve been able to locate the Dropbox icon, Dropbox is syncing your files across devices & the issue primarily lies on the pop-up message you’re seeing upon connecting your phone, where your option wouldn’t stick. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything along the way.

Just as a brief follow-up to @Elixir's pointers, kindly note that if you’re working on a Windows 10 device, you should be able to disable Camera Uploads by changing your Autoplay settings, as below:

• Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen and then click on the right hand side of your profile picture in the Notifications panel.

• Select "Preferences" & then Select the “Import” tab.

• In the window that appears, click on "Change AutoPlay Settings".

• In the AutoPlay settings, scroll down and choose the camera you want to change settings for. It will likely have "Import pictures and video using Dropbox" as the default.

• Click on the drop-down menu and change the option accordingly.

Please let me know if you had adjusted this setting previously &/or the results &I'll follow-up with you soon. Thnks again for keeping in touch with us!

All comments

Jane

Hey @jakryk, thanks for checking in with us!

Let’s start off with the basics & we can move on to specifics based on your findings. I’d appreciate it if you could let me know of the details below, just so as to ensure we’re aligned:

For starters, are you working on a Mac or a pc? If so, can you let me a bit more detail on your system specifications if that’s okay with you?
Following, can you make sure that you’re running the latest Stable version of the application on your desktop you’ve made all OS updates & it’s syncing correctly on your menu bar/system tray? Once you hover your mouse over the Dropbox icon, it should display a message. What does it read for you?
Have you by any chance followed any of the quick troubleshooting steps on this video (eg. quitting & restarting/rebooting your device)?

Would you mind giving my suggestions a go whenever you have a minute & let me know here whether this does the trick or what you’ve found out along the way? Thanks & I’m looking forward to hearing back from you!

jakryk

I'm on a PC running Windows 10 Version 1903 Build 18362.418, 64 bit. I regularily install new updates as available.

I have 8 GB RAM and definately have more than 1 GB available disk space.

I have DropBox 83.4.152 and it's up to date.

My files are syncing with no problem. I can see them on my phone DropBox app. I have restarted my computer.

If I uninstall DropBox and reistall it would I lose all my DropBox files? It's one thing I've thought of doing but I don't want to lose my files.

Elixir

Hey @jakryk, When you plug in a particular device, and select Never for this device, Dropbox should remember that device and not prompt again next time. If that does not happen, you may disable the Camera Uploads from your PC. To disable Camera Uploads, go to the settings. Click the Dropbox icon on Windows taskbar tray > Click the Accont/settings icon > Choose Preferences... I am on a Mac, so I am attaching an old Windows screenshot:

In the current version, you may see your account/profile photo instead of the gear icon.

The go to the Import tab, and uncheck the Enable camera uploads. This should stop the import photos prompt.

By uninstalling and reinstalling Dropbox app, you won't lose your data.

jakryk

Ok, tried that. It says Galaxy s10e (don't import). It still asks me if I want to import pictures every time I dock the phone.

Jane

It’s great that we’ve now ruled out this being attributed to a syncing issue, so let’s follow a different path towards resolution @jakryk.

• Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen and then click on the right hand side of your profile picture in the Notifications panel.

• Select "Preferences" & then Select the “Import” tab.

• In the window that appears, click on "Change AutoPlay Settings".

• In the AutoPlay settings, scroll down and choose the camera you want to change settings for. It will likely have "Import pictures and video using Dropbox" as the default.

• Click on the drop-down menu and change the option accordingly.

Please let me know if you had adjusted this setting previously &/or the results &I'll follow-up with you soon. Thnks again for keeping in touch with us!

jakryk

I disabled all the Autoplay settings and that seems to have worked. Thank you!

Jane

🤹🏽‍♀️ Perfect @jakryk, happy to hear we got this sorted together. Have a lovely week ahead!

ATKDG

Hello, I JUST DLd the Desktop app and

rebooted and the app won't start with the DBx icon.

Only opens file explorer like usual.

I Preferences, i don't get a choice to start thedesktop app.

I'm on 85.4.155

Win 10

ATKDG

[IMAGE LINK IS BROKEN AND CANNOT BE DISPLAYED].

ATKDG

I uninstalled and reinstalled to no affect..

Jane

Hey @ATKDG, thanks for checking in with us!

It’s great that you included screenshots for me, so I’ll take it from what I’m seeing & your description. It looks like you can access the Dropbox Preferences fine, so this makes me think that the app runs normally.

Could I have you check on your system tray for the Dropbox icon as below?

If you’re not seeing that, can you clarify if you're using a workaround to access the Dropbox Preferences?
Also, could you specify if you're seeing the sync icons loading normally as you're viewing your Dropbox folder structure on the File Explorer?

Please let me know of there details & we’ll go from there!

ATKDG

Jane,

In the screen shot I sent after un-re-installing DBx,

the Preferences tab doesn't give me the option to

run it in app mode, only the File Explorer mode

like normal since I've been using this for many years.

I DLd the full DBx.exe but haven't installed yet

to see if that fixes it. Will do in a bit.

ATKDG

that still didn't work, no option to select

Start the app.

Jane

Thanks for circling back to me with this update @ATKDG!

Based on your screenshots, you’ve set the Dropbox app to launch upon starting your computer, therefore your files should be syncing automatically. Can you see the Dropbox icon on the bottom-right hand corner by the clock?

If it’s not too much to ask, could you include a screenshot (omitting personal info) in your next message for me showing me what’s your current sync status?

I look forward to hearing back from you!

egleh

I have exactly the same problem.

Tried to uninstall and reinstall dropbox.

Everything works perfectly fine except from the desktop app.

It will only open in explorer, not in desktop app.

And the layout is still gray, not blue, when I press the dropbox badge on bottom right..why?

[IMAGE LINK IS BROKEN AND CANNOT BE DISPLAYED].

Lusil

Hey @egleh, thanks for checking in with us and for the screenshot!

If you're trying to navigate through the desktop app instead of your File Explorer, you'll have to first check your settings. More specifically:

Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray or menu bar.
Go to your profile picture or initials in the upper right corner.
Choose Preferences….
Click the dropdown next to Open folders in:
Select Dropbox desktop app.

Let me know if this helps!

egleh

Thank you for the response

That is kind of the whole problem for me.
I don't have the option that I can change "what to open folders in:"

What to do?