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jtmcadams's avatar
jtmcadams
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago

Dropbox won't uninstall on Win10 - keeps saying it can't be found in the default location

Before you chastise me, I am aware of the many postings of this as I've read them all, however, I have attempted every suggestion or so-called solution to fix the issue and none of them have worked s...
desktop
Error Messages
Uninstall
windows
jtmcadams's avatar
jtmcadams
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago

Thanks for the quick response Nancy, 

So I want to be clear that my reference to Dropbox support is not a direct ticket opened with them it is in reference to their replies in the community on things to try.  Secondly, there are no other users on my pc for dropbox services to be running under so all services for dropbox have been stopped.  Lastly this is the error I get when I try to run Dropbox 

[Window Title]
C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe

[Content]
Windows cannot find 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

 

Dropbox.exe does in fact exist at that location, as a matter of fact that is the exact location I have even tried to run the uninstaller from with the same error of failure. 

Nancy's avatar
Nancy
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago

Thanks for the additional info! Unless you’ve tried this step already, can you perform an advanced reinstall as well, and let me know if it helps?

  • jtmcadams's avatar
    jtmcadams
    Helpful | Level 5
    2 years ago

    I've tried multiple times to do an advanced reinstall, I can wipe everything from the registry but when it comes to deleting the Dropbox folder I get this error message, this action can't be completed because the file is open in Windows Explorer. Close this file and try again.  DropboxExt64.71.0.dll   I've even tried in cmd  as admin to delete with no success.  I restarted in safe mode and still am unable to delete the Dropbox folder. 

    • jtmcadams's avatar
      jtmcadams
      Helpful | Level 5
      2 years ago

      I've renamed the Dropbox folder and reinstalled the desktop app and still get the same error when trying to run Dropbox. 

      • DBoxTips's avatar
        DBoxTips
        Experienced | Level 13
        2 years ago

        Hello jtmcadams 

         

        Could you try the following:

         

        1. Click the Start button. Type REGEDIT in the search box and press enter.

        2. In the Registry Editor, drill down until you get to this key: 

        HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

        3. Under that key, see if you have a subkey (yellow folder icon) called "Dropbox.exe". If so, try removing it and see if that makes Dropbox start.

         

        Andrew (DBoxTips)

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