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Forum Discussion

ysu's avatar
ysu
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago

Dropbox constantly creating desktop.ini files - how do disable this?

As per the title; the latest dropbox is now generating desktop.ini files pretty much as soon as they're deleted (they were recreated only on dropbox starts earlier, so a delete upon startup was all I...
Delete
Desktop
Sync
Windows
  • ysu's avatar
    ysu
    5 years ago

    TC does not create any garbage files - it's the native Windows Explorer that does it, when you open a folder and either pre-configured to save the view or do so manually.

    However; today morning as I turned the computer on, the issue is gone.  So at least for now, this is solved, thanks for the help, mate!


    p.s. Dropbox still creates these files, but now my regular delete batch file keeps them at bay; they don't come back instantly.

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

Thanks for the additional information ysu; I appreciate it!

As I see you're using an alternative file explorer (i.e. TotalCommander), could you let me know if you notice the same behavior when using Window's native File Explorer? 

In that case, I'd really like to look into it so let me know if you'd like me to reach out via your Dropbox email address to get an account and device specific view of the matter. 

Thanks again! 

michaeljm's avatar
michaeljm
Explorer | Level 3
5 years ago

Hi,


Was there a resolution to this please?

 

I have the same issue. I don't use totalcommander. I use Windows 10. Destop.ini files appear in all shared folders.


When you open the file, it contains this:

"[.ShellClassInfo]
IconResource=C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe,-3301"

I would appreciate your assistance.

 

Regards,

 

Michael

 

 

  • ysu's avatar
    ysu
    Helpful | Level 6
    5 years ago
    michaeljm:
    Sadly no solution.   Dropbox support cannot even replicate the problem - I guess they've never looked past using absolute basic file management tools in the most basic manner.  It took me several rounds to just explain what's wrong.
    And guess what; if you force the file to be unreadable for dropbox, it'll start breaking down and report things like "2 files to sync, 4 days to complete".
     
     
     
    Absolute rubbish.   
     
    Dropbox is slowly losing its touch, there are sync problems, etc...we're looking for alternatives as it is, it's just not cutting it anymore.  I suggest you do the same.
     
    I just can't fathom why they insist on generating these desktop.ini files.  There's a .dropbox
     file already in the root dropbox dir, it should be enough.  The content of the file is inconsequential, but can be detrimental that it's over-written.    It's mental.
    • michaeljm's avatar
      michaeljm
      Explorer | Level 3
      5 years ago

      Thank you for the reply, Ysu. Very disappointing. Best, M

      • Incytatus's avatar
        Incytatus
        Explorer | Level 4
        5 years ago

        I just had this issue crop up for the first time. Got a new Windows 10 laptop and that is where it is occuring. It reappears as soon as I delete it. Frustrating!

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