Can't run Dropbox unless it has administrator rights

[Sammy G.]

Windows 7 64bit
For some reason dropbox doesn't start with startup anymore because it needs administrator rights to start. If I try running the app normally without administrator rights, nothing happens, I see the cursor change to waiting for a few secs and then nothing. But if I right click and "run as administrator" it runs fine. This means dropbox can't run on startup. Any reason for this?

Should also mention that my account is an admin account.

[DavidGDFC]

Hello, Tony,

The only way for me to fix the issue was to reinstall Windows. Unfortunately, Dropbox customer support leaves a lot to be desired and I never expect help from them.

Good luck!

[Gabriel Z.]

Yes, however it appears re-installing Windows does not work either (I just re-installed Windows using an ISO directly from Microsoft). I think we'll just have to wait until enough users install the new version of Dropbox for the engineers to find a fix

[Dave C.]

@Tony Kangrui : if placing the same shortcut thats on the desktop into the start folder doesnt work, that would signify that you are also starting something else that is releasing or allowing access to DB to run. as the startup and a desktop shortcut will have the same effect, with the only difference being timing of launch, one at user login, one later by manual selection.
.
if this is the case, create a scheduled task that runs 1 minute after user login, that runs the shortcut, by then you should be able to expect what ever the other thing is thats limiting access before it, or allowing access after it, has now been activated and the task should launch Db as expected.

[Gabriel Z.]

Perhaps at Startup the system does not allow programs to prompt for elevation using UAC and that's why it's not working. But indeed the Task Scheduler could work, I'll try that thanks

[DavidGDFC]

Hi,

I think I might have found a possible solution. My description is for Windows 8.1, but applicable to other versions of Windows:

1. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE to go to the task manager.
2. Click on the Start-up tab.
3. Go to Dropbox.
4. Click on disable using the button on the bottom right corner or right clicking.
5. Enable again.

[Janus K.]

I experienced the exact same annoying problem, but managed to solve it 100%.

I said goodbye to Dropbox and welcomed another more secure solution.

That worked, no more problems with administrator and shared deleted files.

[DavidGDFC]

Janus, unfortunately, people in Droopbox don't get it that free customers who have experienced a really bad support can't become paid subscribers. I feel very much alone when I have a problem and Dropbox just doesn't care.

[Linden d.]

I ran into the problem and created a different thread, but no answer. This problem seems quite common and there doesn't appear to be a reliable workaround. Anyone found a solution to not being able to run w/o admin rights on some versions of Windows 7 64-bit?

[Sathish R.]

Hi All,

We can block access through Group policy only refer the screenshot for your referance.

[sunshine m.]

Hey all!

I found a solution for this issue and hopefully it assists you too!

Press the right button on the Dropbox icon (e.g. on your desktop). I dont mean the dropbox icon in your task bar. 

Then select Properties (I hope that this is the english name for it). 

Then I have chosen my program and deselected "system adminstrator". For more details note the attachement. Since that, dropbox synchronizes again as required without clicking "run as a system administrator"