Child Item

When I try to access my folders on Windows 10, File Explorer freezes.

Device

Dell XPS
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)

Windows 10
Dropbox App Version/Browser Version

v229.4.5167

Question or Issue

Though I can access documents through Word or excel, and folders and files not in Dropbox are accessibe. But when I try to open any folder in Dropbox, or right click to display properties, the File Manager icon just spins. File manager just freezes. I have rebooted several times, ran chkdsk /f as an Administrator, right click on the C: drive performed a disk cleanup.

I can use Microsoft Edge to access Dropbox files using this browser.

This problem does NOT exist in folders/files not within Dropbox.

My subscription is current

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Nancy

Thanks for posting on our Community, @flatteryheavenclassic227!

As a test, can you try to quit your Dropbox app with these steps? If you open your File Explorer after that and attempt to access your files, does it keep freezing?

Besides that, I’d also like to know whether this is something you noticed after a specific Dropbox or Windows update on your computer.

Give me a nudge once you have more info.

Jay

Hi @flatteryheavenclassic227, I hope you received our last message!

Are you still experiencing the issue with Explorer being slow when navigating the Dropbox folder? If so, please feel free to reach out to us with the information we requested in our last post.

Otherwise, if your issue has been solved, let us know what worked for you!

flatteryheavenclassic227

I quit the dropbox app on my desktop.

Still can not access my folders under dropbox control

Thanks, Bob

Megan

Hey @flatteryheavenclassic227, let me jump in here too!

Do you get any specific errors when trying to access your content?

Besides that, if the issue remains even after you quit the Dropbox app, then the problem might be related to your OS. Essentially, since the app isn't running, you should have access to your files.

If you move 1-2 test files outside of your Dropbox folder, can you still access them?

flatteryheavenclassic227

I am still having the same problem. I can not open any folder that Dropbox once controlled. If I try to open a specific file, Word, Excel, it will not open. I am not receiving any messages. My cursor just presents the hourglass and never opens anything. I can not move, open, or copy any file in the folder, because I can't open the folder. Makes sense, right?

However, I can open any folder or file that was never under Dropbox's control.

For some reason, it appears to me that Dropbox has exclusive control on my files and documents, even though Dropbox is not active. It's locking me out.

flatteryheavenclassic227

If I am in MS Excel, I can open a file that was controlled by DropBox. Look at the screen scrape below. I have quit DropBox, but in File Manager it presents the dropbox icon in the upper left corner.

flatteryheavenclassic227

This is what I am seeing in File Manager if I try to open the file under Dropbox control or right-click to look at properties

Nancy

Hey again, Bob. I see from your screenshots that you’re trying to access a folder called “My PC (SALTY-DOG)”.

If you try to create a new folder in your File Explorer > Dropbox folder instead, and then attempt to access it, do you still receive the same hourglass icon?

flatteryheavenclassic227

Yes

I am attempting to open a folder in Dropbox. File Manager is hanging.

I am NOT creating a FOLDER

I am can NOT move a file, as I can not open the folder

I ran two different malware and antivirus software products scans on my laptop. It is 100% clear of any malware or viruses.

I understand that Dropbox has a log file. File Manager is hanging as I can not open the DropBox folder.

HELP !!

flatteryheavenclassic227

I can NOT create a folder in Dropbox

I can NOT check properties on a folder in Dropbox

Jay

Hi @flatteryheavenclassic227, could you try the suggestion in this thread to see if this helps with the issue you're experiencing?

Nancy

Hi again, @flatteryheavenclassic227! Did the suggestion Jay recommended above seem to help in the end?