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Forum Discussion
__sarah__
2 years agoExplorer | Level 4
I see a grey X next to my Windows files and they can't be opened after disabling computer backup
Hello! I used to use the backup feature of Dropbox for my computer. Notably, this included my Documents folder (on Windows 10). At some point I turned off the backup feature because I thought I didn't need it any more. I thought this would stop the integration with my computer gracefully, but it seems that now many of my files in my Documents folder are no longer accessible, as if they were made online-only (but there is no longer an online version backing them). Some screenshots attached. The problem files appear with a grey X on the bottom left of the icon. If I try to open them, I get failure and an error message sometimes depending on the program trying to open it. I do not have OneDrive, which is the usual cause I see online for the grey Xs.
How can I get my files working again?
grey Xs on files that cannot be openedgrey Xs on files that cannot be openedgrey Xs on files that cannot be openedwhat happens if I try to open a text file with an X using notepad++what happens if I try to open a text file with an X using notepad++what happens if I try to open a text file with an X using notepad++
12 Replies
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- mikegiovinazzo8 months agoHelpful | Level 5
I uninstalled OneDrive and that restored my files. No idea why. My OneDrive has no overlap in terms of the files I have on DropBox
- Hannah2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks for checking, Sarah.
Would you mind checking one more thing?
Do you see any events related to those files in your events page or your deleted files page?
- __sarah__2 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Hi Hannah, yes they are in an actual folder and not a shortcut.
- Hannah2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey again, __sarah__, can you please check and let me know if the folder these files are in, is an actual folder or perhaps an alias/shortcut to the folder?
- __sarah__2 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Hi Hannah. No, they remain unopenable and with the grey X.
- Hannah2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks __sarah__!
And if they're moved to a different location, are you able to open them? Do they keep the gray X?
- __sarah__2 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Hi Hannah. Moving the files seems to work without issue.
- Hannah2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey __sarah__, how about moving one of the files, instead of copying it? Does that make any difference?
- __sarah__2 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Hi Walter. As stated in my original post, I do not have One Drive. I have indeed tried copying the files, and the copy fails. Here is a screenshot.
file copying failure on file with grey X
- Walter2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey __sarah__ - do you happen to be running any 3rd party apps like One Drive, for example?
Also, have you tried copying or moving those files to another location on your computer to see if the issue persists?
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