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Forum Discussion

kevinking's avatar
kevinking
Explorer | Level 4
2 months ago

Dropbox runs in the background even when not wanted.

I recently joined a work trials dropbox business acount. How do I stop Dropbox running in the background on my PC automatically and slowing down my pc. I can't see anything remotely useful in settings and the 'help' section really isnt very helpful! Thanks

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    2 months ago

    kevinking wrote:

    I really don't need it to sync or whatever of its own accord



    If you're not using sync or any other features, and you're the only user of the computer, you can just uninstall the application.

     


    I can quit the application but it just keeps starting up again.

    It's starting up again on it's own, or when you sign back in to the computer? If it's when you sign back in to the computer, that's intended. You can change the startup behavior in Dropbox Preferences. There may also be a Dropbox icon in your Start Up folder. If so, delete it.

     

     


    I run Windows 7, which works just fine for everything else I need.

    Dropbox is no longer officially supported on Windows 7, and its functionality will be limited by March, assuming it still runs at all. If you're not using the application, just uninstall it. It won't work for much longer anyway.

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

    kevinking wrote:

    How do I stop Dropbox running in the background on my PC automatically and slowing down my pc.


    The Dropbox application resides in the system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac). It's meant to be running all the time so it can keep your files synced. If it's not running, it can't sync.

     

    If you need to quit the application you can do so from the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.

     

     

    If the intent is that it doesn't start automatically, you'll need to change the start up behavior within your operating system's settings. Note that doing this affects all users on the computer, and not just your account.

    • kevinking's avatar
      kevinking
      Explorer | Level 4

      Hi Rich. Thanks for the prompt reply but it doesn't seem to work for me. I really don't need it to sync or whatever of its own accord and slow my whole PC down. I can quit the application but it just keeps starting up again. I'm no expert and can't find a way to change the start up behaviour as you suggest. I run Windows 7, which works just fine for everything else I need. thanks again

      • Rich's avatar
        Rich
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

        kevinking wrote:

        I really don't need it to sync or whatever of its own accord



        If you're not using sync or any other features, and you're the only user of the computer, you can just uninstall the application.

         


        I can quit the application but it just keeps starting up again.

        It's starting up again on it's own, or when you sign back in to the computer? If it's when you sign back in to the computer, that's intended. You can change the startup behavior in Dropbox Preferences. There may also be a Dropbox icon in your Start Up folder. If so, delete it.

         

         


        I run Windows 7, which works just fine for everything else I need.

        Dropbox is no longer officially supported on Windows 7, and its functionality will be limited by March, assuming it still runs at all. If you're not using the application, just uninstall it. It won't work for much longer anyway.