Forum Discussion

pokeefe0001's avatar
pokeefe0001
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago

Client startup on Windows has stopped working for me

I use Dropbox only rarely - to access a shared folder - and shut down the client when I'm done.  In the past I would start the client by clicking on a desktop client point to (as far as I know) the l...
desktop
Setting up the apps
windows
pokeefe0001's avatar
pokeefe0001
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago

More information:  I just looked at the Dropbox shortcut on another computer  where Dropbox has not been used for at least 2 weeks.  The shortcut does not point to the Dropbox folder; it points to

"C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe" /home

 which explains why it starts the Dropbox client.  Dropbox then rewrites the shortcut to point to the folder when the client is brought up and logged in.  I assume Dropbox used to reset the shortcut back to the client's .exe file when the client is stopped, but now it does not.  How do I get that old behavior back?

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hi pokeefe0001, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    You could first try reinstalling the Dropbox desktop application, without uninstalling it first, by clicking this link to see if this helps.

     

    Keep me updated with any progress!

    • pokeefe0001's avatar
      pokeefe0001
      Explorer | Level 4
      3 years ago

      I did that before posting my question. I thought it didn't work, but now it appears the problem is intermittent - sometimes working; sometimes not. I don't know if reinstalling the client software helped or not.

       

      This morning after reading your posting I tried clicking on the shortcut and it did start the client.  The PC had been asleep for 10 hours or so but had not been rebooted since I reinstalled the Dropbox code.  I then issued a Quit - stopping the client - and again clicked on the shortcut.  This time it just opened the local folder; it did not restart the client.    I'm not willing to put the PC to sleep right now - I've got hours of backups running - but I did try logging off and back on.  That did not help.

       

      I notice there are a couple Dropbox-related scheduled tasks.  Do either of them reset the shortcut?

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        3 years ago

        Hey pokeefe0001, could you send us a screenshot of where you're spotting those tasks?

         

        Also, could you try rebooting your computer when you get the chance and let us know if the matters have improved at all? 

About Apps and Installations

Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!