Sorting files by sync status / confusion about syncing status and icons on files

I did follow the link,  Thank you.  The instructions about to try to fix hard links is clear. However, I was trying to understand what hard links are and what happens when I use the solution. 

Got it, RJL!

Essentially, when you follow these steps, you essentially fix the permissions of your files, inside the Dropbox folder.

Your files haven't changed, it just helps the app "read and understand" the permissions of the files a different way, in order to resolve any syncing troubles.

I followed the instructions at https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Create-upload-and-share/My-desktop-app-is-stuck-at-syncing-and-I-need-help-with-the/td-p/405492 but when I go to Preferences/Account, I do not see either "fix hardlinks" or "fix permissions."  (In the previous message I accidentally clicked on "Solved"...not yet but soon I hope!)

Hi from me as well, RJL!

Are you holding down the Alt+H keys (for Windows/Linux) or Option/Alt key (for Mac), after opening the Account tab of your app preferences?

This time I held down alt-H before clicking on App and Fix hardlinks displayed, though my screen started shuttering.  I went ahead and clicked on Fix Hardlinks and now I have window showing icacls.exe.  Is that what should be happening?

You followed the steps correctly, RJL.

Do you see any changes after you did? What's the sync status now?

Alas, no.

Hi again, RJL. Can you try one more thing with me, and right click on your local Dropbox folder > click on “Properties/Get info”? I’d like a screenshot of the next window you’ll see.

Hi Nancy,  I'm not sure what you mean the by the local DropBox folder.  I have gone into my Windows file manager, right clicked on the top level DropBox folder.  This is the screenshot of the properties from that folder.  However, there is nothing labeled as "Properties/Get info", so if I am sending the wrong thing, please let me know.

In a different vein, in the Activity Tab accessed when clicking on the DropBox icon in my taskbar, I get a message "Couldn't sync files. To fix this, view sync issues, for your files."  When I look at the files that are listed as having sync issues, they all say "coundn't download.  In the file properties, unselect Read Only."  All the files in question are xml, ini, dll, etc-- none of which I need to sync, so I have ignored this.  Could these failed-to-sync files be the source of the problem?

Hi RJL, as it seems that you have over 300,000 files on your account, this can affect the performance of the Dropbox desktop application, which could explain what you're experiencing at this stage. 

I'd recommend contacting the support team directly for any further assistance they may be able to offer for this situation.