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Forum Discussion
Can't save to Dropbox in Windows 10 S mode
Trying to set up a new Windows 10 laptop which had Dropbox already installed, in S mode. Signed in to Dropbox (used on previous machine) OK but Dropbox not appearing in File Explorer. I can open an existing Dropbox file in Excel using 'Open with' - and can save it - but cannot create a new file in Excel and save it to dropbox because cannot add Dropbox as a location. Don't want to exit S mode; anyway the Microsoft page on S mode says you can 'save your files to ... Dropbox', so it's not S mode blocking it. But, while WIndows 10 recognises the Dropbox App, it does not recognise dropbox as a location. And yes, I have tried uninstalling, reinstalling, system restart but still unable to save new files. Any ideas?
Microsoft support couldn't fix it either. I had to exit S-mode and download the full Dropbox. It seems the microsoft website is not quite telling the truth. Thanks for your input, Mark
- Mark
Super User II
Its because you are using the Dropbox App - that is a read only app.
You need to download and install the full client from www.dropbox.com/downloading. This will create your Dropbox folders etc.
But S mode will only allow apps from the microsoft store to be installed, so to get the full download, I would need to exit S mode (I really don't want to do this because my business partner, whose laptop it is, is not very internet-savvy).
Micosoft explicitly says that in S mode you can 'save files to Dropbox'. Anyway the app is not read-only because I can modify a file, I just can't create a new one, becuase windows does not list Dropbox as a location.
How does Dropbox tell windows that it's there?
Microsoft support couldn't fix it either. I had to exit S-mode and download the full Dropbox. It seems the microsoft website is not quite telling the truth. Thanks for your input, Mark
- Thanks for this. I tried it but even when I go to the link, I can only download the app which is S mode. I can't get regular dropbox to load. S is very inadequate and changing to online word / google creates formatting problems.
- Replying to myself, downloading regular dropbox finally worked. I am not sure how what I did was different from the previous attempts.
Seems as if MS have bogged the system. Can't load Dropbox from anywhere else than MS store and it only offers the S mode. S mode is useless in Win 10. Back to Win 7 !!
I have 10 Pro and Dropbox thinks I have 10 S and have confirmed that I dont have S mode!!!! What next?
It will not let me load dropbox!!!
Thought I'd add a bit more info for people coming upon this like I did and not wanting to exit S mode.
Using the Dropbox for S Mode app from the Microsoft Store, you can, in some applications, open from and save to Dropbox from within the application. If you open or save from within an app (e.g. File > Open or File > Save As..., etc), the File Explorer dialog that opens will, in some applcations, have Dropbox listed in the left sidebar, at the bottom.
You can also open files directly from within the Dropbox for S Mode app.
I use the Dropbox for S Mode app on my Surface Go - it's usable, albeit not the same as the desktop experience.
I cannot find the preferences tab in Dropbox S to be able to add Dropbox to finder. I am unable to save documents to the Dropbox app from emails.
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Hey jk619, and welcome to our Community!
I've merged your question under this thread, since it echoes the rest of the users.
Essentially Dropbox for S Mode won't give you the ability to sync your content locally. You'd need to first exit the S mode using the steps Microsoft provides on their end, then install the stable Dropbox version from here.
Let me know if you have any issues along the way!
