unlinking dropbox from file explorer (windows 11) without deleting my account

[ijensen8]

Ahoi -

I want to unlink/delete DropBox from File Explorer (Windows 11) without changing my account.
Your explanation is  short, sweet and to the point ... except that I can't follow it as right-clicking on the Dropbox icon only offers 'Dropbox' and 'Unpin from taskbar'.

Starting the DropBox app doesn't get me anywhere near 'Security' etc.
What am I not doing right?

Cheers Ivan

[Jay]

Hi @ijensen8, thanks for contacting us!

Just for clarification, do you want to remove the Dropbox icon in Explorer entirely? 

Does this mean you want to uninstall the Dropbox desktop application?

This will help me to assist further!

[ijensen8]

Wow, that was quick!

And, yes, all I want to do is remove the DropBox appearing in my File Explorer

Thank you!

[Jay]

Have you already uninstalled the Dropbox desktop application using these steps?

[ijensen8]

Hi Jay -

Not yet, but I'll happily do so if I this doesn't delete the files in the cloud (which I share with some colleagues).

And then reinstall DropBox and log on to my account - and it won't reinsert itself in File Explorer?

Cheers --------IVan

[Jay · Accepted solution]

The Dropbox desktop application creates the folder in Explorer. You can't install the app without having it do so.

If you want to remove the folder, you need to uninstall the Dropbox desktop application completely. To use Dropbox from then on, you'll need to use the Dropbox site, or the Dropbox for S Mode app.

[ijensen8]

Hi Jay -

OK mate, thanks!

Regards ----------------/Ivan

[sadpanda]

I ran into the same thing when I uninstalled Dropbox. Here's the process I used to find the registry keys that had values to update. Hopefully this is helpful.

~~~Remove Dropbox Windows Explorer Entry(Stuck After Uninstall)~~~
1. Open regedit as administrator and search "C:\Users\[USERNAME]\Dropbox" (or whichever path you set up for your Dropbox folder on your computer) for data values (It will take a minute to find anything, just be patient)
2. You will want to find that path in data values that are nested under a specific registry key folder > Click on that registry key folder and check if the System.IsPinnedToNamespaceTree value is set to "1"
a. The key folders I found are below (both were under HKUSERS for me), but these may not be the same on your local machine as they are on mine, this process will cover any variables in registry key values
Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-261324159-2691066723-1614904421-1003_Classes\WOW6432Node\CLSID\{6C845076-8709-4627-9495-EC0DDA761F7C}
Computer\HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-261324159-2691066723-1614904421-1003\Software\Classes\CLSID\{6C845076-8709-4627-9495-EC0DDA761F7C}
3. Updated the System.IsPinnedToNamespaceTree(double click it to open) value under the key folder to "0"
4. Click Ok
5. Right click the key folder and click Permissions
6. Click Advanced > Add > Select a principal > Type "everyone" in name field
7. Click Check Names > Click Ok
8. Set Type to "Deny" > Set Applies to as "This key only"
9. Click Show advanced permissions, Check box on Set Value > Click Ok
10. Click Apply > Confirm (Click Ok)
11. Click Ok again
12. Close and reopen Windows Explorer if needed
13. Check that Dropbox is gone from Explorer Menu (Left hand side)
14. You may need to reboot and check that entry is gone again
15. [IMPORTANT NOTE] If Dropbox is still appearing in the left hand Windows Explorer menu when saving files inside of programs, but not when opening Windows Explorer itself...
> Repeat Steps 1-10 for any other entries you find in Regedit

Please keep in mind that searching through the registry this way may take some time, as you will find other values with the same path, but only update the ones that have the System.IsPinnedToNamespaceTree value in the key folder