The current version of the Dropbox Desktop app is slowing down Explorer.exe

[Salacnar]

Hello Dropbox Devs.

I wanted to let you know that the current version of the Dropbox Desktop app is slowing down the response times of Windows Explorer.

What normally takes a millisecond to load now takes around 30 seconds to load, when Dropbox is turned off the problem disappears.

[Walter]

Hi there @Salacnar, thanks for your report!

Can you please send me the app's exact status and version as shown in your system tray?

Any additional information will be more than welcome! 

[Salacnar]

@Walter 
The app status says it is Up to date.

The app version number is 120.3.4554

When I have Dropbox running, it is putting a strain on File Explorer, causing it to take longer to display and load things.
When I have Dropbox turned off, I don't have that problem.

My OS:
Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 20H2
Installed on ‎30-‎5-‎2020
OS build 19042.906
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.551.0

[Walter]

Thanks for the additional information @Salacnar, most appreciated!

I see you're running the beta version of our desktop app; could you try installing the most recent stable one and let me know if you notice any difference? 

[Salacnar]

@Walter
Thanks for the help, but the stable version hasn't fixed the problem.

Now I hope that this problem will get fixed in the next beta version.

[clouds]

Experiencing similar issues, programs freeze when saving, causes Windows explorer to seize up (can't even 'end process' in task manager, can't empty trash, hangs on restart -- have to use power button to hard shut down), have restarted dozens of times. All good when Dropbox isn't running, but when it is things seize up.

I've uninstalled the desktop application, and reinstalled the latest from your site today  (119.4.1772), running Windows 7 professional 64-bit on a Dell Precision tower.

Will try uninstalling one more time and cleaning out old folders and registry before reinstalling again.

BTW - Dropbox has been indexing 173,000 files since I reinstalled it.

Any advice appreciated.

[Walter]

Hey @clouds, thanks for joining our discussion here!

Can you please try fixing your hardlinks and permissions as outlined here and let us know if that improved matters at all?

[clouds]

I uninstalled Dropbox, deleted the Dropbox folders in the Windows/Users directory, also cleared out the registry of any Dropbox entries. Reinstalled the latest version (per your link) and it seems to be running better, but there's still a noticeable delay when I save an MS Word file (!!). Have also tried to reset permissions and hardlinks per your suggestion. But delay when saving files is still there. Will try restarting again to see if it helps.

Have been using Dropbox for more than ten years now, it's been great until recent 'updates' and upgrades which seem to be degrading the service...

[Walter]

Thanks for your feedback @clouds;much appreciated.

Please keep me posted with any updates!

[clouds]

Seems Windows is still getting taken down (explorer.exe crashes during saves) by Dropbox. Any other tips?  Is it possible to roll back to an older more stable version of Dropbox?