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johnblakemore's avatar
johnblakemore
Helpful | Level 7
3 years ago

Can't open password protected file

One of my files is password protected but when I try to access it via Dropbox.com on my PC I put in my password but it says that it is incorrect. It is not incorrect. I can access the file via my Tab...
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deb-reyn's avatar
deb-reyn
Explorer | Level 3

I'm having the same problem as of yesterday. Trying to open word docs on my mac that I was able to open the day before but now get an error message saying the password is incorrect. I know for certain that I am entering the correct passwords. I have tried multiple browsers without any luck.

Nancy's avatar
Nancy
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
2 years ago

Hey deb-reyn! I hope you’re doing well. 

 

As Hannah has mentioned here, it isn’t possible to preview a file on the Dropbox website, as long as it's password-protected. 

 

For more info, you can also check this Help Center article.

  • deb-reyn's avatar
    deb-reyn
    Explorer | Level 3
    2 years ago
    I am not trying to preview the file. I am trying to “open” the file. It keeps saying wrong password but it is the correct password.
    • JimL from HB's avatar
      JimL from HB
      Explorer | Level 4
      2 years ago

      I'm the original poster of this thread.  The response from Nancy, the thread moderator, contains the link to the Help Center article that (finally!) answers the question: 

      Error: This file is password-protected

      What happened:

      If you're seeing the error message This file is password-protected, the file you’re trying to preview requires a password to view it. Many applications (for example, Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop) allow you to set passwords for your files. Dropbox doesn’t support files that are password-protected in other applications, so you won’t be able to preview them.

      How to fix it:

      If you'd like to preview the file, open the file in its original application and remove the password. 

      If you'd like to keep the password, download and open the file on your computer or phone to view it.

       

      I tried this from the DropBox web link, and it works fine.  Once the file was downloaded to my computer, I was able to open it with the usual password.

       

      Thank you, Nancy, for answering the original question!

       

      Jim

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