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
Heather G.6
10 years agoNew member | Level 1
How do I remove Dropbox from my Mac if I get an error message when attempting to uninstall?
I am trying to delete the Dropbox app from my Mac, but it gives me an error message saying 'The item “Dropbox” can’t be moved to the Trash because some of its plugins are in use', even after closing all other open applications. What could these plugins be and how can I stop them from being in use?
Thanks
I had the same problem:
Open Activity Monitor (search for it with spotlight) and force quit the Dropbox process (I used the searchbox on the right to find it)
After that I could delete the application
- Glen Y.New member | Level 1
I'm having the same problem...
- Prateek T.New member | Level 1
same issue here
- Piet Hein C.New member | Level 1
I had the same problem:
Open Activity Monitor (search for it with spotlight) and force quit the Dropbox process (I used the searchbox on the right to find it)
After that I could delete the application- Elie1245New member | Level 2
Thanks for this! I was able to close out the app within Activity Monitor but when I try to delete it now I get the message "The item “Dropbox” can’t be moved to the Trash because some of its extensions are in use." Can you help with how to fix this?
- ginginginaNew member | Level 2
I did a search for "activity monitor" and there were not results. does everyone have activity monitor?
- RichSuper User II
It's not an application that someone will have. It's a utility on Mac computers, found in the Utilities folder under Applications.
This is an old thread and likely no longer relevant. Please start a new thread and describe the problem that you're having. This thread is being closed.[This thread is now closed by moderators due to inactivity. If you're experiencing a similar behavior, feel free to start a new discussion in the Ask a Question section here.]
- Glen Y.New member | Level 1
Piet Hein C. Your solution worked perfectly! Thanks!
- Rajat G.1New member | Level 1
I am using Yosemite. I first quit Dropbox from the Menubar but could not Trash Dropbox from my Applications folder as certain plug ins were functioning. So, I opened Activity monitor and found that Dropbox Finder Integration was still working.I could not force quit it from Activity Monitor. So I opened Dropbox again and clicked on the Dropbox Icon on the menubar and opened Preferences to disable Dropbox Finder integration and two other plug ins. After that I could trash Dropbox from Applications seamlessly.
- Ivan L.4New member | Level 1
The answer from Piet Hein C. worked perfectly. Thanks! :)
- Joshua A.6New member | Level 1
Piet Hein C.,
I love you with my whole heart. - Caryn R.1New member | Level 1
Thank Goddess!! I was getting really frustrated with this. I will not be reinstalling Dropbox - ever! OneDrive is better anyway
- Boris K.5New member | Level 1
Rajat G. works for Yosemite (10.10),I guess the other suggestions were from older OS X systems. I also had to unlink my computer in order to get the plugin error to disappear.
- Jim W.27New member | Level 1
Rajat - your proposed solution worked perfectly for me. Thanks so much!!!! I'm on a Mac OS X btw
About Apps and Installations
Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.
Need more support
If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.
For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.
If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!