Forum Discussion

TomFuller's avatar
TomFuller
Helpful | Level 7
3 years ago
Solved

Dropbox for Windows 11 Virtual Machine (Parallels) on Macbook M1 (Apple silicon) - can't install

I'm trying to use Dropbox in a "Windows 11 Pro" virtual machine (under Parallels) on Macbook M1 (Apple silicon). When I attempt to install, I get an error message "Couldn't start Dropbox. Your device...
desktop
Install
  • TomFuller's avatar
    TomFuller
    3 years ago

    Thanks to both you and Hannah. I think I may have found a work-around while searching the developer forum. I'll pursue that for now.

TomFuller's avatar
TomFuller
Helpful | Level 7
3 years ago

Hi Hannah,

Thanks for responding (and so fast!)—very encouraging to this newbie. Yes, I am a newbie on the Forum, but I have used Dropbox for over a decade. I have used it on a virtual machine on my Macbook pro for 8 years. The programs I wrote (C# .Net) for backup, organization, photos, etc. all worked perfectly in this dual environment (MacOS and Windows 10). In fact, they worked fine when I installed Dropbox on the MacOS side of my new Macbook M1 a month ago. (BTW, I do not use, cannot use, Windows in S mode.)

For example, in Windows 11 on the new Macbook M1, I could see the MacOS Dropbox folders as something like Z:\dropbox\family\. . .

The trouble began a few days ago when I upgraded to the most recent MacOS Dropbox. It conceals the location of files stored in the MacOS side. I can’t reach them with my Windows programs now. If there is a stable folder location visible to the Windows VM, I would not need Dropbox on Windows VM. I understand from your response that Dropbox in Windows 11 VM is not supported. With the MacOS Dropbox location known, I could reinstall MacOS Dropbox and be happy again.

Thanks for your interest!

Tom

andymilder's avatar
andymilder
New member | Level 2
3 years ago

Hi Tom,

What was your workaround? I have the same issue. Thanks!

  • TomFuller's avatar
    TomFuller
    Helpful | Level 7
    3 years ago

    Hi Andy,

    Welcome to the forum. I wish I could tell you of some profound insight or clever work-around. Right now I just use USB drives to update the Mac virtual Windows machine. It's clumsy but it does work. I continue to look for something better, but that's it for now.

    • alissa914's avatar
      alissa914
      Collaborator | Level 9
      3 years ago

      For Mac in Parallels, if you turn on file sharing between Mac and Parallels, you can send files to each other using UNC paths.  You can set mapped drives and then use them like you would anything else.  On mine, the Mac is referenced like \\Mac\ in Windows.  If your Dropbox is at \\Mac\username\Dropbox, then that's your Dropbox.  Keep in mind that online files will show up as 0 bytes and if you access them, it doesn't seem to download the files when you do... so that's something to be aware of.

      • TomFuller's avatar
        TomFuller
        Helpful | Level 7
        3 years ago

        Thanks for the reply. Let me experiment with that.

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