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BigE1's avatar
BigE1
Explorer | Level 4
6 years ago

I can't see any sync icons next to my files in my Dropbox folder, what can I do?

For some reason my drop box files and folders no longer show the "green tick" when synced. If I right click the system tray icon there are only two options Dropbox or uninstal. I can see no way of ac...
Desktop
desktop app
Sync and upload
Windows OS
  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    6 years ago

    Thanks for checking that BigE1!

    There's a few reasons that could explain why you're not seeing the sync icons next to your files. If you didn't install the app with admin permissions, you may need to just reinstall the app with admin permissions. The steps to do so are outlined here.

    Also, Windows does have a limit of only 15 overlay icons that are able to load in Windows Explorer. You can check the overlays that you have registered with these steps:

    1. Press the Windows key + R and enter regedit.
    2. Navigate to the following registry key with this path: 
      HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers     
    3. Scroll right for complete command line.
    4. If the Dropbox overlays are in the first 15 positions, they will display; otherwise you'll need to make room for them. Please note that this requires you to delete or deprioritize other applications' overlays, so only proceed if you're sure about what you'll affect.
    5. If you decide to proceed, you can select individual keys and delete them by right-clicking on the desired key. If you don't want to delete them, you can rename them and place a Z at the beginning to send them to the end of the alphabetically sorted list.
    6. Quit explorer.exe and launch again from the Task Manager, or restart your computer.
    7. Launch Dropbox, and the sync icons should re-appear.

    I hope this info helps, let me know what you find - thanks!

BigE1's avatar
BigE1
Explorer | Level 4

Ah just found the icon on the system tray, I was trying the toolbar icon.  That said I have found preferences - Selective sync and all my folders are checked to sync, but I still have no "green ticks" My app ver is v81.4.195

Daphne's avatar
Daphne
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
6 years ago

Thanks for checking that BigE1!

There's a few reasons that could explain why you're not seeing the sync icons next to your files. If you didn't install the app with admin permissions, you may need to just reinstall the app with admin permissions. The steps to do so are outlined here.

Also, Windows does have a limit of only 15 overlay icons that are able to load in Windows Explorer. You can check the overlays that you have registered with these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key + R and enter regedit.
  2. Navigate to the following registry key with this path: 
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\ShellIconOverlayIdentifiers     
  3. Scroll right for complete command line.
  4. If the Dropbox overlays are in the first 15 positions, they will display; otherwise you'll need to make room for them. Please note that this requires you to delete or deprioritize other applications' overlays, so only proceed if you're sure about what you'll affect.
  5. If you decide to proceed, you can select individual keys and delete them by right-clicking on the desired key. If you don't want to delete them, you can rename them and place a Z at the beginning to send them to the end of the alphabetically sorted list.
  6. Quit explorer.exe and launch again from the Task Manager, or restart your computer.
  7. Launch Dropbox, and the sync icons should re-appear.

I hope this info helps, let me know what you find - thanks!

  • BigE1's avatar
    BigE1
    Explorer | Level 4
    6 years ago

    Hi Daphne, 

    winner winner chicken dinner! Thank you that has fixed the issue, restarted and the "green ticks" are back and I can see the status of all files and folders

    Thank you 

    Ian

    • Daphne's avatar
      Daphne
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      6 years ago

      I'm very glad to hear that BigE1!

      If you have any other issues with this then please don't hesitate to give me a nudge here and I'll be happy to help out. :grin:

      Hope you have a great day Ian - cheers! 

      • mi11's avatar
        mi11
        New member | Level 2
        6 years ago

        Is there a way to turn this off.  Dropbox is hogging the 1st 15 overlays.  I need them for Subversion instead. 

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