Hello
I just noticed there are a folder named ".dropbox.cache" and a file icon named "desktop" in my desktop app.What are they? Why did they appear all of sudden?Thanks
@jazzmeg1 wrote: I don't know why those two icons are in my Desktop app folder.
I don't know why those two icons are in my Desktop app folder.
Aside from being hidden, the desktop file is actually called desktop.ini, and is a application settings file that controls how a folder appears in Windows. If you enable the display of file extensions, instead of hiding them, you'd see the full file name. It's part of Windows; not Dropbox. You'll see the same file in many folders throughout your computer.
Hi @jazzmeg1, happy Monday, I hope you're doing well!
The cache folder is used as a staging area to sync files to and from your account. Dropbox keeps a cache of files hidden in your Dropbox for efficiency and for emergency purposes.
Now, as for the desktop icon on your desktop app, I'm guessing it could be a program file, but please feel free to send me a screenshot, in order for me to have a visual of this.
Keep me posted!
Hello Megan,Thank you for getting back to me.I don't know why those two icons are in my Desktop app folder.They were not there before. Both appeared at the same time.(about a week ago or so)
Hi @jazzmeg1, these are hidden files, which won't be visible in normal settings on an OS. Have you enabled the visibility of hidden files on your OS?
Thank you for the information, JayI will look into it.Thanks.
Hi Rich,Thank you for your explanation.I went to Settings>For Developers>Change settings to show hidden and system files and fixed the problem!I am puzzled because I don't remember that I enabled the file extension display.Thank you again!
when i connect dropbox to an external drive, a .dropbox.cache folder appears in the dropbox folder. i would like to delete it but if i do the desktop app stops working. what do i do?
@WalterWaschlappen wrote: when i connect dropbox to an external drive, a .dropbox.cache folder appears in the dropbox folder. i would like to delete it but if i do the desktop app stops working. what do i do?
The .dropbox.cache folder is required for Dropbox to function properly. If it's deleted, Dropbox will just recreate it, and any actions that were in-progress would likely need to start over again (such as syncing a large file).
