Navigating within the Dropbox folder in File Explorer in Windows 11 is very slow

I'm having an issue when navigating through the folders in the Dropbox directory on Windows 11. It is taking approximately 30 seconds to open any folders within the Dropbox folder. I timed one just now with a stopwatch, it took 32 seconds to open a folder. Other drives on this PC load up quickly, but also other directories in the same SSD are working fine and open instantly, so it's not a faulty drive.

I have restarted my PC several times, tried restarting Windows Explorer via task manager, doing any updates, and making sure there aren't any Sync Issues within Dropbox. I have also completely removed any files larger than 4GB from Dropbox via 'Manage Hard Drive space', in case it's a large file issue.

It wasn't happening a couple of days ago, but I did notice this issue in the past, and it seemed to be fixed by a Dropbox update some years ago. I am seeing that this same bug was reported around 2021, 4 years ago. Apparently, the same issue is back now.

For now, my workaround is Right Click > Open Folder in New Tab, or adding a folder to Quick Access. Either of these options nulls the bug, so I've narrowed it down to only happening when you open a folder by double clicking, right-clicking open, or hitting Enter to open.

System info:
Windows 11
Version 24H2 OS Build 26100.4652
HP Omen 30L
Intel Core i9-10850k CPU - 32 GB RAM
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 - 24GB VRAM

desktop

windows

TaikiBessho
4 months ago
Regarding the following thread on the Microsoft community, I uninstalled the iCloud app. It resolved the problem. I have never tried to reinstall the iCloud app so far.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/4375161/windows-explorer-with-onedrive-extremely-slow?source=docs

47 Replies

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Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
5 months ago
Hi pentagramwookie, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

If you quit the Dropbox desktop application entirely, is it still slow when opening folders within the Dropbox folder itself?

Just for clarification, as you mentioned removing files, are the folders or files marked as available, available offline, or online-only in the Dropbox folders?

This will help me to assist further!
mlefebvre
Helpful | Level 5
5 months ago
I got the exact same issue since yesterday. Everything was working fine on the 9th, and suddenly on the 10th Windows explorer got really slow when trying to navigate through my Dropbox folders
TAGGConsulting
Explorer | Level 3
5 months ago
Hi, I have the same issue, everything was fine on 9th, on 11th everything is painfully slow. The issue also impacts my OneDrive shares.
mlefebvre
Helpful | Level 5
5 months ago
My entire organisation is having this issue and we are now thinking of switching all of our accounts to another cloud storage service.
There are multiple posts about that same exact issue in this forum and none of them is bringing solutions.
Does Dropbox have a fix for that? Are you at least working on it?
I think you will lose a lot of subscriptions if nothing is done fast enough.
pentagramwookie
Helpful | Level 6
5 months ago
Hi Jay, thanks for getting back so quickly, wish I'd noticed this sooner.

I did try quitting the Dropbox desktop application, still slow. I also tried ending all Dropbox tasks via Task Manager, pausing Dropbox sync, and restarting after that. It's still slow when opening folders within the Dropbox folder itself.
I keep my 2TB Dropbox account on a pretty much dedicated 4TB SSD so that everything can be available offline on my PC.
I'm seeing some other people have the same issue at the moment. Hopefully, this can be resolved soon.
pentagramwookie
Helpful | Level 6
5 months ago
Hey, just following up on this, seeing if there's any news on this issue. The bug is still present on my PC. Thanks.
Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
5 months ago
Hey pentagramwookie & mlefebvre & TAGGConsulting - thanks for letting us know about this.

Can you please confirm your computer's exact OS version, and the version/status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your taskbar/menu bar? Is it 'up to date' or still syncing?

If it's up to date, can you try rebooting your computer and your internet router and let us know if you notice any difference?

If not, let us know if this affects any specific folders and if they're available offline or online-only.

Thank you!
pentagramwookie
Helpful | Level 6
5 months ago
Hi Walter,
This is my exact OS Windows version:
Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 24H2
Installed on ‎12/‎11/‎2024
OS build 26100.4652
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.26100.128.0

My Dropbox version is: 228.4.5567
Syncing is up to date. The Dropbox taskbar menu says 'Your files are up to date'
This issue affects all folders/files within the Dropbox directory, and no other files or folders on that internal SSD.
I just now tried rebooting my computer and my internet router. It didn't seem to help in any way, the issue persists.
TAGGConsulting
Explorer | Level 3
5 months ago
Hi Walter,
This is my exact OS Windows version:
Edition Windows 11 Home
Version 10.0.26100
OS build 26100
My Dropbox version is: 228.4.5567
Syncing is up to date. The Dropbox taskbar menu says 'Your files are up to date'
This issue affects all folders/files within the Dropbox directory and my OneDrive, and no other files or folders on that internal SSD.
I have operated on 3 different networks over the past week and the issue exists in every case.
I have turned off virus checking and this made no difference.
Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
5 months ago
Hi from me as well, pentagramwookie and TAGGConsulting! I've gone ahead and logged two separate tickets for each one of you; this way, we can investigate this further.

Please go to the inbox of your Community email address and reply back to me, when you get the chance.

Thanks!