Need to see if your shared folder is taking up space on your dropbox 👨‍💻? Find out how to check here.

Forum Discussion

TStark's avatar
TStark
Explorer | Level 4
5 months ago
Solved

I can't access my Dropbox files on an NTFS drive from Linux after the latest update.

My files are arranged like this:

Drive 1:  Windows

Drive 2: Linux

Drive 3 (NTFS):  Dropbox files

After the latest Dropbox updated itself to the latest version on Windows, the Dropbox folder is now apparently a link instead.

Is there a setting where I can revert this back to a normal folder?

desktop
Linux
windows
  • vonalim's avatar
    vonalim
    5 months ago

    Since 227.4.4774 Dropbox uses Windows sync API by default, Dropbox call it "Dropbox for Windows Updates". So called "reparse points" are added to the files synced by Dropbox (including the root Dropbox folder). These reparse points are incompatible with current Linux NTFS-3G driver. You need to reinstall Dropbox and opt out from "Dropbox for Windows Updates" during the installation (in Advanced options in the last step of the installation wizard) in order to mount Dropbox folder under Linux again :-)

5 Replies

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 months ago

    Hi TStark! Thanks for posting on our Community today. 

    Can you clarify whether your Dropbox folder was in its default location at the time of the update?

    I'd also like to know the OS version of your device. 

    Finally, can you send me a screenshot of the link you’re seeing at the moment and one more of your Dropbox folder properties (if you can access them)? 

    Ping me, once you have more info.

  • TStark's avatar
    TStark
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 months ago

    Hi - Sorry I did not describe the problem well.

    Windows 11 Home:  Dropbox works fine after the 227.4.4774 upgrade.  It appears as a normal folder.  

    Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS - Cannot no longer access Dropbox files

    My Dropbox files are not in the default location, they are saved on a shared NTFS drive.  The Dropbox folder was previously accessible whether I'm in Windows or Linux (I'm on Linux 99% of the time).

    I can't seem to post a screenshot from Linux, it just shows

    Name = Dropbox

    Size = 34 bytes

    Type = link (broken)

  • vonalim's avatar
    vonalim
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 months ago

    Since 227.4.4774 Dropbox uses Windows sync API by default, Dropbox call it "Dropbox for Windows Updates". So called "reparse points" are added to the files synced by Dropbox (including the root Dropbox folder). These reparse points are incompatible with current Linux NTFS-3G driver. You need to reinstall Dropbox and opt out from "Dropbox for Windows Updates" during the installation (in Advanced options in the last step of the installation wizard) in order to mount Dropbox folder under Linux again :-)

  • TStark's avatar
    TStark
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 months ago

    Tried vonalim's solution and it's back to normal now.  Thanks!

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    5 months ago

    Hi TStark, happy Monday! 

    Happy to see that your issue is now resolved! 😇

    If you need something else, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help every step of the way. 

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!

Recent Discussions