My shared links have stopped working

[aappel_esq]

Whenever I check a shared link, the error message says "unable to op[en - then the link - Cannot download the information requested.

What can I do? I've tried in one case deleting the link and reestablishing it, but i get the same message.

[Jay]

Hi @aappel_esq, thanks for joining the Community!

Are you opening these shared links directly from the Dropbox site, or via links in a Microsoft Office app?

This will help me to assist further!

[aappel_esq]

Thanks for responding!

I am trying to open the files from links that I put into an e-mail to send to another person., or just from a Word file to test it out before it is sent.

This was never a problem until i noticed it today.

[Jay]

This is an issue with the Microsoft Office apps, which occurs for other programs as well apart from Dropbox.

Are you running an older version of Word by any chance?

[aappel_esq]

Yes, I am.  Word 2010.

This was not an issue until maybe just a few days ago. Before then, my links seemed to work perfectly.

[aappel_esq]

Does this mean I can trust that my links work, but it's just that I cannot test them before sending them out?

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Provided that the shared links work when you copy and paste them directly into your browser, instead of just clicking them, then you know they're working.

As you're running an older, unsupported version of Word, it's possible this is why you're not able to view these shared links directly via that version of Word. 

In the thread I posted earlier, other users have said upgrading to Office 365 resolved the issue.

[aappel_esq]

Thank you very much. Hopefully, I will be able to trust my links again.
I have been putting off updating on my Win 7 computer, but i can test things on my more modern laptop.

Thanks again!

A.A.

[Jay]

No worries, @aappel_esq, if you need any further assistance, please let me know.

Enjoy the rest of your week!