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I can no longer open Dropbox from the icon pinned to the taskbar, nor from the .exe in the folder

Starting today, I tried to open Dropbox that is pinned to the taskbar. It wouldn't open. I opened the program folder and double-clicked on the .exe file. It also would not open Dropbox. I uninstalled and reinstalled with same issue. I can open it from a desktop icon, but why will it not open from the executable file in the program folder which means I cannot pin it to the taskbar. I'm running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 with latest build.

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Robbie1

Hi Jay, I think I fixed it. The attached photo shows the target path of the icon pinned to taskbar that will not open. Start menu icon had no properties. I then went to the desktop icon that will open the program and replaced the taskbar icon target with the path C:\Users\robch\Dropbox

which will now open the program from the taskbar. The executable icon in the program folder remains as per the attached photo. Should I change the target or just leave it as is? At least I can open and use the program now from the taskbar icon.

All comments

rfilkin

I am experiencing the same issue on windows 10 laptop. Everything on my laptop is up to date. I have no issue with opening the app on my Samsung tablet or my android phone. This started just the other day. I do the majority of my work on my laptop and then access it on my tablet or phone. If this isn't solved, then there is no point in using Dropbox.

Jay

Hi @Robbie1, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

When you uninstalled and reinstalled the app, did you perform an advanced reinstallation?

This will help me to assist further!

Robbie1

Hi Jay,

I just did an advanced reinstallation with the same result. The folder will opn using the desktop icon, but not from clicking the executable in the program folder which means I cannot open the program from the taskbar. Could a very recent update to Windows 11 have caused this? It just started within the last week and I've been using Dropbox for years.

Rob

Jay

Thanks for the info. Could you try right clicking the taskbar icon and then Properties, and likewise with the Dropbox icon in the start menu, and let me know what the executable path is showing up as? A screenshot of this would help greatly.

Robbie1

Jay

I think that, as the program is now working, I'd leave the target as is to prevent any other issues from occurring.

Robbie1

I agree and thanks a lot for your hep, Jay.

Rob C.

rfilkin

I have done a complete and thorough uninstall. Still getting errors. I have spent hours on this and after being a dropbox customer for years, may look at alternative options

kenrbnsn

I'm seeing the same issue both on Windows 10 (fully updated) and a new Windows 11 laptop (fully updated). This recently started -- within the last few weeks.

Ken

old joseph

I started having the exactly the same problem today on my Dell laptop with Windows 11. When I click on the Dropbox app icon in either the Start Menu or in my bottom taskbar, it tries to open for several seconds and then times out. I found that the only way that I can now start Dropbox is by using the "Hidden Icons" folder. This start up failure problem may be the due to something that either Dropbox or Microsoft has done. However, it is the responsibility of Dropbox to fix it ASAP. I purchase Dropbox Preimium which is not an inexpensive subscription. If Dropbox does not fix this problem pronto I will look somewhere else.

AVHS

Having same issue with both laptops as this morning. Uninstalled and reinstalled the app but when pinning icon to taskbar, it won't open from there. I looked into the solution provided but I don't have the same items on the property window...

Any other solutions (step by step with screen shots will be helpful )

Thank you!!

Megan

Hey everyone!

Thanks for reporting this. As a clarification, would you mind letting me know if you're facing issues with the shortcut icon alone, or with the system tray and start menu too?

Let me know more!

AVHS

The only way I can open my files is by opening File Explorer and finding Dropbox there. It will not open from Taskbar icon, Program File Exe., Search-Dropbox app.

d_e_mcmanus

I have the same issue, and the only thing that seems to have changed is a recent update by Dropbox or Microsoft. When I look at the Dropbox program in Control Panel, it shows that it was installed on 7 December, but I did nothing myself and have been using Dropbox successfully for a dozen years. I can now only access Dropbox via the website but not from any of the icons on my computer.

AVHS

New development this morning, the attached msg keeps popping up. Still haven't found a way to open Dropbox

Also, just chatted with support and they are working on a solution.

Here is the repsonse:

"Thank you for alerting us to this problem. Dropbox engineers are aware of the problem and are working on a solution. Sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. Once the issue is fixed, we will reply back to you via email"

rfilkin

I have no idea what Dropbox management did or what they changed but at this point of time, Dropbox is a COMPLETE WASTE of my money!!... I create a new folder on the app on my android, go to the Dropbox website and it's not there!!!... I right click on the Dropbox icon on my start menu and there is NO OPTION to synchronize the app on my android tablet, phoned and my windows laptop..I have spent SO MUCH time fighting to get Dropbox to work like it did before they made a change, I am FED UP! Whether I look in File Explorer or right click, no way to make anything synch

mo29

I also have this problem. Only with the icon in the taskbar. A "folder" titled Dropbox has established itself on my home screen. I can open Dropbox from that folder.

mo29

Can you explain how you fixed it? I am at that screen also, but not working.

GrumpGrump

We are having the same problem across multiple computers. A fix confirmed suggestion would be greatly appreciated as one of our users strongly dislikes using file explorer to access dropbox (which still works). Looks like an advanced reinstall is currently the best fix suggestion?

JCCantrell

I am having the same problem (at the same time) as originally reported by Robbie1. I have this problem on all my Windows10 and Windows11 computers. I have reviewed the total thread (as it exists at the time of my post (Thursday, Dec 14, 2023 - 1420 EST). No solution proposed has corrected the problem on my machines. Monitoring for solutions. Thank you.

Eric in CA

Meagan, it looks like you guys at Dropbox have a major issue to solve for just about everyone. Lots of people with this problem and it makes everything 10 times harder. AT this point using Dropbox is next to useless.

Hope your technical team can figure this out. Eric in CA

babaluzza

Hi Jay,

I'm having the same problem, unable to open from the icon on the task bar. I tried Robbie's fix below and it didn't work for me. Is there a fix coming soon? I rely on this app a lot for my work and it's now a struggle. Thanks.

rfilkin

I just scrolled through all the comments on this topic, no viable solution so far. The only workable solution so far is via the Dropbox website. When I click the icon on the menu, nothing happens. There is no icon in the system tray by the clock, when there was before a reinstall, Dropbox would not open anyway. Dropbox or Microsoft changed something because there is no reason that access via the icon should suddenly stop working. I am far too busy to continue to wrestle with this problem. As Peter finch said in "Network"... "I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take it anymore" (google it)

rfilkin

Now I discovered yet another error!!! When I try to access the downloads folder on my laptop I get a dropbox error!!! I am so fed up with what has become a crappy product!!

I tried changing the path and get this:

Randyf

I have wrestled with various Dropbox issues for hours. I have found a solution and after a little more testing, I will be canceling my Dropbox account. Too bad it has come to this after being a Dropbox customer for so many years

Walter

Hi all, thanks for your reports so far and your patience while our team is looking into this.

A new version of the desktop app just came out, so could you please give it a go from this page and let us know if the issue persists?

GrumpGrump

I have installed the updated version ( just by running it, not by uninstalling dropbox first)

One one windows 10 and one windows 11 computer - the start menu and system trays link still do not work on either computer but the desktop shortcut does work. I suspect the desktop shortcuts work because they target the dropbox file folder location and not the app location. Thank you for working on fixing this.

Sam DBX

Hi everyone,

Jumping in to clarify a few things:

Our Stable Build 188.4.6302 updated Windows shortcuts to directly point to the Dropbox folder, as the current ones no longer open or add files to it.

Users who have shortcuts originally created by Dropbox, should have no problems.
In some cases, if you copied, renamed or moved the shortcut Dropbox created, these can’t be updated and will no longer work, as it's no longer managed by the Dropbox desktop app.
The shortcut in the windows start menu only starts the Dropbox app and does not open the Dropbox folder.

Workaround:

You can recreate a new shortcut: shift + right click the Dropbox folder, and click "Send to > Desktop (create shortcut)", and then remove the " - Shortcut" at the end of the shortcut. Note: The recreated desktop shortcut name should not be changed.
To create a shortcut for the Windows start menu, you can Pin to Start your Dropbox folder

Screenshot 2023-12-22 at 14.40.10.png

Next steps:

We plan to make this easier by accessing the support section in the preferences pane (alt + h in the account tab), and clicking "Create desktop shortcut" button. We’ll keep you updated on this.

Screenshot 2023-12-22 at 14.26.43.png

Thanks,

Sam

erc61

i am in the same position as all of the above on Windows 11, 64 Bit, and have tried all of the above including the stable build- it doesnt work. The most i am able to do is get up to selecting folders, and backup, but it blanks out my entire screen (turns dark grey except for the drop box window) and then i have to lock my screen to get my computer again.

Then when i have my computer back, i can see my dropbox in my files location, but no backup from my PC documents etc, and no task bar abilities or settings are able to be accessed