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Sync icons are no longer visible after Dropbox update on Windows

Hi there,

Today, Dropbox automatically updated and ever since I can no longer see the sync icons on my files. I've repeatedly restarted and also checked the ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers section in the registry to make sure they weren't bumped out by OneDrive and Google but this is not the case. I'm not sure how else to get them back? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Rich

gstewart3000 wrote:
Dropbox automatically updated and ever since I can no longer see the sync icons on my files.

If you received the Dropbox for Windows update, the sync icons would have moved to a new location. They're no longer on the files themselves. Instead, Windows now has a Status column for services that use the new Cloud Sync API. If you received this update, make sure you have the Status column visible in Explorer.

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Hannah

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, @gstewart3000.

Is it just the sync icons that are missing or are you missing other Dropbox items?

For example, if you right-click a file in your Dropbox folder, do you see all the expected Dropbox options?

What do you see when you hover over your Dropbox icon? Is the app syncing as normal?

And what is your computer's OS version?

Let me know and we'll go from there.

gstewart3000

Hi there,

It's just the sync icons that are missing, everything else seems to be working as normal, including all of the Dropbox options on the right-click menu.

Rich

gstewart3000 wrote:
Dropbox automatically updated and ever since I can no longer see the sync icons on my files.

LNWin11

I have the SAME problem with new Dell laptop and Windows 11. My 4years old Dell with Windows 10 is fine!

Jay

Hi @LNWin11, could you try reinstalling the Dropbox desktop application, without uninstalling it first, by clicking this link?

gstewart3000

Thanks, I've now realised this was the issue!

gstewart3000

Somebody has already replied with the solution for this, it's changed to the status column now, there are no longer any overlays on the file icons.

Dontee332

This does not work for me, Windows 24H2, please advise, I enabled the "Status" column in explorer, there are no icons.

Rich

Dontee332 wrote:
This does not work for me, Windows 24H2, please advise, I enabled the "Status" column in explorer, there are no icons.

Make sure you're one the Dropbox for Windows Update, otherwise the sync icons will not be in the Status column. You can go into Preferences to update it.

Dontee332

My sync settings dont have the option you highlighted.

Nancy

@Dontee332, can you send us a screenshot of what you see on your end perhaps? Please make sure to cover your device’s username, if it’s showing.

Dontee332

I opened a case and have sent screenshots to support.

Dontee332

I am being told on ticket #24884796 that this is a Windows issue, and I am being asked to edit the Windows registry for potential fixes. This issue appears to be related to the icon API changes referenced in this thread and should be resolved without the need for extensive registry edits. Maybe someone else can jump on the ticket? I was asked to "reboot" to fix it.

tfung

I have the same issue, but using the desktop app.. Does it mean I need to uninstall the desktop app and install the dropbox for windows app? I have the same version of dropbox app and windows 11 on my laptop, but the icons are fine on that one...

Jamieharrington

Having this issue. All the above steps are not working. So glad I switched to Windows from Mac. I love troubleshooting Windows issues in my precious spare time 😒

Jamieharrington

I DO NOT have this option after updating Dropbox from the website

tfung

I ended up uninstalling the the web downloaded version, and installed the Dropbox found on the Microsoft store... Worked fine after..

Jamieharrington

I fixed this by rearranging (renaming) the shellconoverlayidentifiers.
Go to Registry Editor.

(HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers)

Rename each Dropbox registry by adding spaces at the beginning of the filename. I used 3 spaces for each entry.

Close registry and get your icons back.

Megan

Hey @Jamieharrington, thanks for posting here!

Judging by your latest message in this thread, it looks like you managed to fix this issue, right? 😇

Just checking to see if you'd like me to jump in here, and troubleshoot with you, or if you're all set.