Child Item

Why am I getting a 'Couldn't start Dropbox' permission error on Windows 11?

Application Affected

Dropbox Desktop
Device

Lenovo AIO
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)

Windows 11 v25H2
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)

Newest (won't open)

Question or Issue

I am not able to open the desktop application on my computer although I can login online. I only have 2 devices connected, newest Windows OS, and have uninstalled/reinstalled the application. The error information I am getting is:

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox bn.VERSION: 239.4.8301 bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 88 bn.is_frozen: True machine_id: c0f1922f-7cb2-49b0-8d65-e156c24c7463 pid: 5636 cwd: 'C:\\WINDOWS\\system32' real_path='C:\\Windows\\System32' mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 HOME: None appdata: 'C:\\Users\\r.trump\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1' real_path='C:\\Users\\r.trump\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1' mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 dropbox_path: None not found parent not found sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe' real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe' mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0 parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\239.4.8301\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc' real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\239.4.8301\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc' not found parent not found TMP: C:\Users\RC218~1.TRU\AppData\Local\Temp TEMP: C:\Users\RC218~1.TRU\AppData\Local\Temp tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\RC218~1.TRU\\AppData\\Local\\Temp' real_path='C:\\Users\\r.trump\\AppData\\Local\\Temp' mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0 Traceback (most recent call last): File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 6872, in _setup_root_for_account File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/helpers.py", line 199, in create_root_for_account File "desktop/dropbox/foundation/futures/basic.py", line 1044, in result File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/manager.py", line 382, in create_root File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/handlers/windows/cloud_files.py", line 299, in register File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/handlers/windows/cloud_files.py", line 601, in _register PermissionError: [WinError -2147024891] Access is denied

Any help appreciated! Thank you!

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Comments

Hannah

Hi there, @Mtrump, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Do you possibly have any security programs like an antivirus, VPN, firewall, etc. that might be interfering here?

If so, please disable them temporarily and reinstall the app to see if it helps.

If not, try reinstalling the app from this link instead and let me know what happens.

Thanks!

Mtrump

Unfortunately, we use CrowdStrike and I am not able to disable. The administration may have made changes to it's protection (?) but it's weird that I can access the page and had no problems before. Thank you for the reply! Any other ideas? I tried the installer you linked also.

Nancy

Hey @Mtrump! Sorry for jumping in.

Since this could be an issue related to your antivirus/firewall program indeed, can you try to contact your admin and see if they can temporarily disable it on your device?

After that, you’ll need to restart your computer (if you're not on the free Basic plan with more than 3 devices currently linked to your Dropbox account, we’d also suggest that you reinstall the Dropbox app on your device, like Hannah mentioned above).

Megan

Hey @Mtrump!

Just popping in to see if you've had a chance to look at our last message. Still need help? We're all ears! If the issue is sorted, let us know what worked out for you.