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Forum Discussion
Windows 11 Upgrade and cannot get Dropbox to work properly
I recently upgraded my PC desktop to Windows 11. Dropbox worked perfectly in Windows 10, and when I upgraded my laptop to 11, it was seamless. On the desktop, I can access Dropbox through the web,...
So...
The secret (as is sadly so often the case) is a re-start.
Once I did that, I was able to get the full Dropbox app to install, and now it looks like I can access the Dropbox files correctly.
I don't understand this, but it did the trick.
thanks to Megan and Jay for your help!
Andy
Megan
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey ajborson, could you send us the error you get when trying to open the files on your end?
Also, in order for you to install our full Dropbox desktop app, you'd need to follow Microsoft's steps, in order to get out of the S mode on Windows 11.
Also, in order for you to install our full Dropbox desktop app, you'd need to follow Microsoft's steps, in order to get out of the S mode on Windows 11.
The error message is: "Unable to extract the activation files. See the link below for instructions to perform an advanced reinstall."
This is the link: Dropbox installer failed to start | Dropbox Help
Most of the suggestions don't seem to apply to my situation (as everything worked fine until I upgraded to Windows 11 on my desktop).
I am running anti-virus software (Webroot) that does not block installs without giving me the option to over-ride it, so I don't think that's an issue.
The link you sent me for getting out of S mode applied to Windows 10, not Windows 11, and I could not make sense of how to apply them to what I saw in my now Windows 11. If you think this really might be the issue, can you provide any instructions about what to do?
So...
The secret (as is sadly so often the case) is a re-start.
Once I did that, I was able to get the full Dropbox app to install, and now it looks like I can access the Dropbox files correctly.
I don't understand this, but it did the trick.
thanks to Megan and Jay for your help!
Andy
Ok, I saw the way to look for instructions to get out of S mode in Windows 11... but when I follow them, there is no link that says I can "Switch to Windows 11 Pro", only that I can upgrade (for a fee) to Windows 11 Pro. If I go to the Microsoft Store through that, there's no option to disable S mode. There's no option to disable S mode in the settings menu (I'm not even sure I'm in S mode...).
I did find the "switch out of S mode" instructions for Windows 11, but trying to follow them does not lead me to the right place... I only got to the Microsoft Store for buying the upgrade to Windows 11 Pro. There is no link for switching out of S mode from the Home edition (which is what I have and need).
- JayI'd recommend getting in contact with Microsoft for further support, since it appears you're unable to switch out of S Mode.
This would be the reason why you're not able to install the Dropbox desktop application since upgrading to Windows 11. So...
1. I was able to install an app from outside the Microsoft Store, so I suspect I'm not in S mode. Also, there's no indication that I have the option to get out of S mode, which makes me think I'm not in S mode.
2. I have installed Dropbox for S mode already, but it does not seem to function properly...
3. Before I call Microsoft, and get into the weeds with them, can you offer any other suggestions, to either get Dropbox for S mode to work properly (as I already have it installed), or to get the full Dropbox app installed (since I can apparently install apps from outside of the Microsoft Store)?
This didn't work for me.
Robert, did you see my earlier comment about finding TWO Dropbox Apps on my Win11 system? When I removed one of them, Dropbox functioned OK, and continues to work OK. (Except for wanting to put a Dropbox link on all my USB drives...)
Did you have to remove the previous Dropbox desktop app - from when you had windows 10?
Hi RTA,
No, I removed one of the Dropbox Apps after switching to Win 11. Don't have any problems with Dropbox now.
