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Forum Discussion

Rob132's avatar
Rob132
Explorer | Level 3
4 months ago

I can't install the Dropbox desktop application, why?

Hi, I also have this installation problem.  I upgraded my PC and Dropbox failed.  So I completely uninstalled it - including those folders the "advanced reinstall" tells you not to...  I assumed I j...
desktop
Install
windows
Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
4 months ago

Hey Rob132​ - thanks for keeping us in the loop on this and sorry to hear the issue persists.

At this point, I'd recommend using the offline installer of the latest version of the app from this page.

If you still get the same error and have excluded any 3rd party apps that might be causing this, you might want to try installing the Dropbox desktop app on a new OS profile on your computer.

PS: If you're on the Basic plan, make sure you're not hitting your account's device limit. 

  • Rob132's avatar
    Rob132
    Explorer | Level 3
    4 months ago

    I tried the latest version of the offline installer.  No change.  

    > "If you still get the same error and have excluded any 3rd party apps  that might be causing this, you might want to try installing the Dropbox desktop app on a new OS profile on your computer."

    Any suggestions how I do either of these? (i.e. "exclude any 3rd party apps  that might be causing this" or "try installing the Dropbox desktop app on a new OS profile on your computer")

    > "PS: If you're on the Basic plan, make sure you're not hitting your account's device limit. "

    I am on the Basic plan.  I saw it say "3 devices", removed my PC, and can't find the number now.  Is that to be expected?

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

      Hi again, Rob132. One instance of a third-party app interfering with Dropbox could be your antivirus/firewall program; do you have any of these running on your device by any chance? If you do, I’d like you to disable them temporarily and restart your computer, before attempting to install the Dropbox app again. 

      Other than that, you can see the number of devices currently linked to your Dropbox account under the “Devices” section of your online Security tab.

      • Rob132's avatar
        Rob132
        Explorer | Level 3
        4 months ago

        Hi Nancy​ .  Thanks for the info.

        I'm using Microsoft Defender / Windows Security.  Unfortunately, if I disable 'real-time protection' and restart my PC, it will be re-enabled.  However, I have tried installing the latest offline version with 'Virus & threat protection' and 'Firewall & network protection' disabled and get the same message (above).

        One thing I noticed - I have a yellow 'Dropbox' folder in the sidebar of Explorer.  I assume this is my local copy from when it worked.  All files and folders are marked as "syncing".

        PS.  I successfully upgraded to Win11 yesterday, but it didn't help...  ☹️

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