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File Explorer Hangs through Quick Access Recent Files
I have recently purchased a new HP computer with Windows 10 and installed my standard office software including DropBox (v53.4.67). As soon as I installed DropBox, and started to do work I experiencedproblems with File Explorer. When I clicked on File Explorer on the Task Bar, File Explorer opened without showing any folders or files and displayed "Working on it." File Explorer hangs and the only solution is to close the window. My work around was to right click on File Explorer and get to File Explorer without going to Quick Access. If you click on Quick Access - File Explorer hangs. The only way to get File Explorer to work is to go to Quick Access Options and clear File Explorer history. Through trial and error, I discovered I can keep DropBox working and File Explorer, but I have to deselect the "Show recently used files in Quick access."
About a month ago I bought a Dell desktop and installed DropBox and had the same problem. (One of the reasons I returned the Dell was I thought the computer was this File Explorer problem.) Since I am having this same problem with a brand new HP, this is clearly a reoccurring problem with DropBox. I have used DropBox at work for years and never had a problem. I never had this problem with my old computer, so it seems to be something related to a new computer and a new install of DropBox. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I can live with arrangements, but would prefer to have the convenience that Quick Access provides. Thanks.
Thanks for the report Bob2019 - I've passed all of your comments to your existing ticket and I'd advise to take it from there as this isn't affecting a lot of users and is probably a device specific issue. The best way to handle such queries is through our Official Channels as we'd need additional information to troubleshoot further.
While we're at it, have you by any chance tried any of my previous suggestions?
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- Mark
Super User II
It isnt something I have ever seen at all CB65.
Have you tried the offline installer from www.dropbox.com/downloading? I have a recurring issue where Windows explorer will hang on the Dropbox folder - the folder window opens, no files displayed, & Windows says 'Working on it...' Closing the window causes Explorer to crash.
The OS is Windows 10 Education. This has been occurring on multiple PCs for many months. I have reimaged the PCs to no lasting result. It will work fine for a few days or weeks, then not.
It generally requires deleting & reinstalling Dropbox (resynching 700GB on a s-l-o-w connection).
I am desperate to find a solution, or I will have to move to Google Drive, or (shudder) OneDrive.
- MarkSecond time I've seen the exact same post on here this weekend, I'm merging the threads together to keep everything in one place,
However, to help can you log a ticket at www.dropbox.com/support and reference the thread URL that this will be on?
Once thats done you can track at http://dropbox.zendesk.com I tried the reinstall of Dropbox and had the same issue. Thanks for the suggestion. Hopefully someone will figure out the problem.
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey there CB65 & hendo42 - sorry to hear about this issue with your Windows' File Explorer.
As a first step, could you please try a clean, advanced re-install of our software using our offline installer and let me know if this persists?
Moreover, would you mind sharing a screenshot of the error message you get ( if any)?
Thank you in advance for your cooperation on this one.
I did try a fresh reload of Dropbox as was suggested. I got the same problem. Below is screen shot. I notice the first time I add a file to the Quick Access list File Explorer works fine. I seems with a second file is add to the Quick Access list File Explorer hangs and you get this "Working on it" message.
- Walter
Thanks for the speedy update on this CB65 - most appreciated.
As I'd really like to see into this and to help isolate the issue here, could you please try quitting the Dropbox application by using the following steps:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac/Linux)
- Click on the gear icon in the Notifications panel and select "Quit Dropbox"
If the issue persists when Dropbox is completely closed, this suggests that the cause is related to something outside of the Dropbox application and you might need to check other applications or components of your Operating System that could be causing this.
Let me know what you find please!
I went to Dropbox Setting and clicked on "Exit Dropbox" and then retried the File Manager Quick Access. The problem still persists. I did not "Quit Dropbox," but I assume that is the same as "Exit Dropbox." Based on that logic, the problem may be unrelated to Dropbox. Thanks for the suggestion. This does not solve my problem and I'm not totally sure Dropbox did not initiate the problem, but it is clear that exiting Dropbox did not resolve the problem. That said, I will broaden my search to see if I figure out what is causing the problem. I know how to avoid the problem, but stopping it alludes me for now. Thanks again for the suggestions.
- Walter
No worries CB65 - we're always here to help. Glad we could exclude Dropbox from the equation - have you checked other factors that could be causing this?
Having said that and even though that's not within my scope of expertise, have you tried clearing your (Windows) File Explorer search history to see if this will resolve your problem? It's pretty easy and if I were you, I would also give this a go! To do this follow these steps:
- Go to "Start". Then search for (and click) the "Control Panel".
- Enter file in the search box on the top right of the Control Panel window. Then click "File Explorer Options".
- Click "Clear" to clear File Explorer history. Then click "Apply > OK".
- Press the "Windows logo key and E" at the same time to open your File Explorer and check how this went!
I hope this helps and do let me know what you find. Thanks!
[EDIT: Just saw that you've already mentioned clearing your search history helps CB65 - I am leaving these steps here for anyone to find as they might prove to be useful in the future.]
- Thanks for helping. I have cleared the search history several times, after each try with no success in resolving the matter. If I figure out the problem, I'll come back and post the final solution. Still not sure it is not related to Dropbox, but I'll keep looking.
