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Forum Discussion

Robbie1's avatar
Robbie1
Helpful | Level 6
2 years ago

I can no longer open Dropbox from the icon pinned to the taskbar, nor from the .exe in the folder

Starting today, I tried to open Dropbox that is pinned to the taskbar. It wouldn't open. I opened the program folder and double-clicked on the .exe file. It also would not open Dropbox.  I uninstalled and reinstalled with same issue. I can open it from a desktop icon, but why will it not open from the executable file in the program folder which means I cannot pin it to the taskbar. I'm running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 with latest build.

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    Hi Jay, I think I fixed it. The attached photo shows the target path of the icon pinned to taskbar that will not open. Start menu icon had no properties. I then went to the desktop icon that will open the program and replaced the taskbar icon target with the path C:\Users\robch\Dropbox

    which will now open the program from the taskbar. The executable icon in the program folder remains as per the attached photo. Should I change the target or just leave it as is? At least I can open and use the program now from the taskbar icon.

     

     

  • rfilkin's avatar
    rfilkin
    Helpful | Level 6

    I am experiencing the same issue on windows 10 laptop. Everything on my laptop is up to date. I have no issue with opening the app on my Samsung tablet or my android phone. This started just the other day.  I do the majority of my work on my laptop and then access it on my tablet or phone. If this isn't solved, then there is no point in using Dropbox.

  • JCCantrell's avatar
    JCCantrell
    Helpful | Level 5

    I am having the same problem (at the same time) as originally reported by Robbie1.  I have this problem on all my Windows10 and Windows11 computers.  I have reviewed the total thread (as it exists at the time of my post (Thursday, Dec 14, 2023 - 1420 EST).  No solution proposed has corrected the problem on my machines.  Monitoring for solutions.  Thank you.

    • Randyf's avatar
      Randyf
      Explorer | Level 4
      I have wrestled with various Dropbox issues for hours. I have found a solution and after a little more testing, I will be canceling my Dropbox account. Too bad it has come to this after being a Dropbox customer for so many years
  • old joseph's avatar
    old joseph
    Explorer | Level 4

    I started having the exactly the same problem today on my Dell laptop with Windows 11. When I click on the Dropbox app icon in either the Start Menu or in my bottom taskbar, it tries to open for several seconds and then times out. I found that the only way that I can now start Dropbox is by using the "Hidden Icons" folder. This start up failure problem may be the due to something that either Dropbox or Microsoft has done. However, it is the responsibility of Dropbox to fix it ASAP. I purchase Dropbox Preimium which is not an inexpensive subscription. If Dropbox does not fix this problem pronto I will look somewhere else.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi Robbie1, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    When you uninstalled and reinstalled the app, did you perform an advanced reinstallation?

     

    This will help me to assist further!

    • Robbie1's avatar
      Robbie1
      Helpful | Level 6

      Hi Jay, 

      I just did an advanced reinstallation with the same result. The folder will opn using the desktop icon, but not from clicking the executable in the program folder which means I cannot open the program from the taskbar. Could a very recent update to Windows 11 have caused this? It just started within the last week and I've been using Dropbox for years.

      Rob 

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Thanks for the info. Could you try right clicking the taskbar icon and then Properties, and likewise with the Dropbox icon in the start menu, and let me know what the executable path is showing up as? A screenshot of this would help greatly.

  • d_e_mcmanus's avatar
    d_e_mcmanus
    New member | Level 2

    I have the same issue, and the only thing that seems to have changed is a recent update by Dropbox or Microsoft. When I look at the Dropbox program in Control Panel, it shows that it was installed on 7 December, but I did nothing myself and have been using Dropbox successfully for a dozen years. I can now only access Dropbox via the website but not from any of the icons on my computer.

  • GrumpGrump's avatar
    GrumpGrump
    New member | Level 2

     We are having the same problem across multiple computers. A fix confirmed suggestion would be greatly appreciated as one of our users strongly dislikes using file explorer to access dropbox (which still works). Looks like an advanced reinstall is currently the best fix suggestion? 

  • DOM-1367's avatar
    DOM-1367
    New member | Level 2

    I have the same problem - click on the DropBox icon in the taskbar or run the Desktop app from the menu and nothing happens. 

    Edition Windows 11 Pro
    Version 22H2
    Installed on ‎23/‎01/‎2023
    OS build 22621.3007
    Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0

    • Nancy's avatar
      Nancy
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

      Hey DOM-1367, I’ve moved your message to this thread, since it looks relevant to the OP. Can you please check the accepted solution here, and let me know if it helps?

      • DOM-1367's avatar
        DOM-1367
        New member | Level 2

        I installed DropBox and selected one file to sync but now I want to sync another file - when I click on DropBox I can't see a Preferences option on the menu to add more folders to sync. Very furstrating. Ih and yes the DropBox on the taskbar doesnt work.

    • gostnort's avatar
      gostnort
      Helpful | Level 5
      You can check which windows update I installed. You might need to update your Windows
  • ArcanumSolum's avatar
    ArcanumSolum
    Explorer | Level 3

    If Dropbox staff are still here, I currently have the same problem, I tried reinstalling to no avail as well as copying and pasting the directory in the properties of the taskbar and start menu shortcuts to no avail.

     

    When changing the directory it shows the following message:


    In the properties window, the startup says the following

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

    Start in: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client"

     

     

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