You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
Dropbox for Windows 11 Virtual Machine (Parallels) on Macbook M1 (Apple silicon) -- can't install
I'm trying to use Dropbox in a "Windows 11 Pro" virtual machine (under Parallels) on Macbook M1 (Apple silicon). When I attempt to install, I get an error message "Couldn't start Dropbox. Your device...
Thanks to both you and Hannah. I think I may have found a work-around while searching the developer forum. I'll pursue that for now.
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for responding (and so fast!)—very encouraging to this newbie. Yes, I am a newbie on the Forum, but I have used Dropbox for over a decade. I have used it on a virtual machine on my Macbook pro for 8 years. The programs I wrote (C# .Net) for backup, organization, photos, etc. all worked perfectly in this dual environment (MacOS and Windows 10). In fact, they worked fine when I installed Dropbox on the MacOS side of my new Macbook M1 a month ago. (BTW, I do not use, cannot use, Windows in S mode.)
For example, in Windows 11 on the new Macbook M1, I could see the MacOS Dropbox folders as something like Z:\dropbox\family\. . .
The trouble began a few days ago when I upgraded to the most recent MacOS Dropbox. It conceals the location of files stored in the MacOS side. I can’t reach them with my Windows programs now. If there is a stable folder location visible to the Windows VM, I would not need Dropbox on Windows VM. I understand from your response that Dropbox in Windows 11 VM is not supported. With the MacOS Dropbox location known, I could reinstall MacOS Dropbox and be happy again.
Thanks for your interest!
Tom
Jay
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHi TomFuller, as the Silicon chip used by Apple is actually an ARM chip, for the full Dropbox app, this is not supported for any installation of Windows, so only the S Mode app can be installed.
Since you're using Windows 11 as a VM on that hardware, this is why you can only install that version of the app.
Thanks to both you and Hannah. I think I may have found a work-around while searching the developer forum. I'll pursue that for now.
As an FYI, if you don't share what is your working solution, you're not assisting others with the same problem as they'll wonder "OK, what are you doing to solve it?"
Simple solution is to install Dropbox on your Mac and then make a mapped drive using Parallels so that it maps your Dropbox in Windows 11. Then you get to use the M1/M2 native app for Mac to work on your PC.
Oh yes. When I have a working solution, I'll be glad to share it! I re-loaded Dropbox again on the Mac side, but I'm still hitting some bumps with it.
Have clarified with Dropbox Support today that this issue is apparently not related to the M1 ARM processor, but rather due to permissions settings or errors that will arise with the user profile to install Dropbox via a virtual environment.
Thankfully the workaround describe in these messages (using Dropbox drive on Mac side shared to the Parallels VM) provides a good solution.
Thanks everyone!
Cheers,
Tom
This thread has been very helpful. I plan to try the mapping solution. So far, my workaround gets me by, but is far from elegant. I deleted the newest Dropbox app (that places the Dropbox folder in "Locations") and re-installed the earlier version that place the Dropbox folder under "Users". That folder is mapped to Z:\ on the Windows 11 side, and that works with my programs now. I still use USB drives for some backup functions. These should be eliminated as I fully implement the recommended solutions.
Thanks again to the several respondents!
Tom Fuller
Hoping you have good luck cause this "new" location thing is a PAIN !
