Child Item

I can't access or download my local files in my Dropbox folder

Device
HP Spectre x360 Convertible 13-w0XX
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
Windows 10
Dropbox App Version/Browser Version
(240.4.8609)/(Firefox 147.0.2 - 64 bits, Google-Chrome)

Question or Issue

Since quite some time I can't use (download) files from my dropbox. I continuously synchonize my documents with Dropbox (as back-up), and have the impression that things changed when I installed a new laptop (the previous one crashed). In the security chapter of the admin in stated: "Vault is no longer available—your files were moved to a Dropbox folder." Also my windows explorer became VERY slow in recognizing files and folders and showing the content (see screenshot). Where and how can I unlock those (blocked) files?
Anything else I should do to avoid this repeating. because I will need a new laptop in the course of this year?

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Comments

Jay

Hi @FrankSmeets, thanks for messaging the Community!

From the screenshot you provided, I can't see any sync icons available.

Could you try checking to see if the Dropbox desktop application is installed and running on your machine?

Regarding the Dropbox Vault, this feature was discontinued back in March 2025, and any files in that folder were moved to a normal Dropbox folder.

This will help me to assist further!

FrankSmeets

Hi @Jay , thanks for your message.
I followed your instruction with the desktop application, which somehow aborted functioning.
It's syncing now (few hours left to complete according to the indicator).
After that I will check if I can re-access the files that are somehow blocked and come back on this.

Regarding the above screenshot: you can see that windows explorer is trying to "open" files one by one, and most of -in this case photos- are not accessible (just pictogram with an X). So I can find documents, but have no access (If I open a word document that apparently doesn't have access, Word completely blocks: "Word does not react", and has to be hard-stopped, or I have to wait for the laptop to come to the conclusion that the file cannot be opened.
Hope this will be solved with the actual syncing

Jay

Thanks for the update. Once the Dropbox desktop application has finished syncing, I want you to try to make these files available offline by following these steps.

This will ensure that the files are physically on your machine, in order to test if they open correctly.

Megan

Hey @FrankSmeets!

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.