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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.

ysu's avatar
ysu
Helpful | Level 6
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!

    • Walter's avatar
      Walter
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      5 years ago

      Hi Incytatus; welcome to the Community and thanks for joining our discussion here.

       

      Can you please let me know the version of our desktop app you're using and if you happen to be utilizing an alternative file explorer as well?

       

      Thanks!

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

        I am running version 103.4.383. I am using the default Windows Explorer.

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

      In case it helps, I still have the issue, my version is V103.4.383, and I do not use any alternate file explorer. Regards, Michael

      • Lusil's avatar
        Lusil
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        5 years ago

        Hey michaeljm, thanks for nudging us back on this thread. 

         

        Just to make sure that we cover as much initial troubleshooting as possible, have you by any chance tried reinstalling the desktop app? 

         

        Keep us posted!

    • Lusil's avatar
      Lusil
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      5 years ago

      In this case, you can also give an advanced reinstall a try - maybe that will do the trick. 

       

      Note that, if you're on a Basic (free) account, there's a three device limit and you'll have to make sure that you've got less than three devices connected to proceed.

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

        Hi, That is what I did. I have a paid version. Regards, Michael

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