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Greg G's avatar
Greg G
Helpful | Level 5
5 years ago
Solved

Searching for files returns no results

Greetings. For years, my Dropbox folder was on my 1 TB 😧 drive and I could search for content on the 😧 drive right from Windows Explorer. Somehow, one of my settings must have changed because...
Create
desktop
File access
  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    5 years ago
    Hey Greg G, thanks for posting!

    It sounds like you're using Smart Sync to reduce the space the files are taking on your hard drive.

    Next to files that are Smart Synced as "online only", you should see a grey cloud sync icon instead of the green tick. Do you see this next to the "camp" files?

    If so, can you right click one of these files, choose "Smart Sync - Local", and see if you can search for the file through the File Explorer now?

    Keep me posted with your findings!
Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
5 years ago

Hey there chuckshek; sorry to hear you're having issues with searching/finding your files on your computer. 

 

Can you please let me know what's the exact status of our desktop app in your menu bar/system tray?

 

When it comes to your concern, note that when you make your files or folders locally available through the relevant Smart Sync option, they will need to sync down to your machine and will take up space on your hard drive; just like your other files/folders. 

Stasik's avatar
Stasik
New member | Level 2
5 years ago

I'm having the same issue...

However, my dropbox folder on my computer does read "Local" with a green checkmark

 

I also checked the folder option to ensure it's indexing and still it does not search any files on my dropbox folder when I use File  Explorer.

Please help

 

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 years ago
    Hi Stasik, if you're still experiencing this issue, please could you contact the support team directly for further assistance.

    They should be able to investigate from there on.
    • Bjornar's avatar
      Bjornar
      New member | Level 2
      5 years ago

      Hi!

      I have the same issue as Stasik above.

      My files are all stored locally with a green check mark, but Windows search can't find them even though there is no exception in the Windows Search index for the Dropbox folder or any of its subfolders. Is there any known reason for this, or can we troublehoot it? It has been the case for a long time, probably over a year, I don't remember it ever working.

      I can't find a way to contact support on your link, presumably because I am on a free account. Thanks for any help!

      • Megan's avatar
        Megan
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        5 years ago

        I hope you're doing well Bjornar! 

        As a first step, can you let me know the version of your app, and its syncing status? 

        Keep in mind that the version should look something like: xxx.3.xxx or xxx.4.xxxx. 

        Any screenshots of you re-creating the situation are more than welcome. 

        Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there.

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