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Forum Discussion

arosko's avatar
arosko
New member | Level 2
7 years ago

Can't open my own files from the desktop folder

I have had major headaches with the Dropbox desktop app ever since installing it. In particular, the Dropbox app running in the background has caused my computer and my Internet connection to freeze many times. It even prevented the Windows Task Manager from loading properly so I couldn't kill the Dropbox process--yet when I did after many tries, the computer *immediately* became responsive again. Therefore, I have prohibited any processes having to do with Dropbox from running automatically on startup.

 

I assumed that this would reduce the Dropbox folder to a mere normal Windows folder, i.e. an unshared local folder that has my own local files in it but no access to files shared by others. However, I can no longer open even my own files that were created on this computer and never edited or used by anyone else. Even if I copy them to my desktop, which has nothing to do with Dropbox (obviously), if I try to open them I get an error about Dropbox.

 

Naturally, not only am I concerned with accessing the files now (I assume I can restart the process and open them), but I'm concerned that when I am no longer connected to my employer's Dropbox account (my work with them ends at the end of May), that files that I believe I own will go randomly missing and be irretrievable. I obviously wouldn't be disappointed OR surprised to not be able to open others' synced files at that point, but I'd obviously like to have my own work saved for future reference.

 

What is happening here? Is the Dropbox folder not in fact a "real" folder?

Desktop
Error Messages
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  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    7 years ago
    Hey arosko, welcome to our community! 

    What exactly is the error message? 

    If you believe that our app is causing these issues, then we need to make sure that you’re running a fully updated, stable, and supported operating system, and the latest stable version of our desktop app (48.4.58). 

    If all the above are in check, then I would suggest that you exit our desktop app properly, from the icon in the system tray, instead of killing processes in the task manager. 

    If your files are still not accessible, then I would check to see if you’re using Smart Sync. The local Dropbox folder is indeed a real folder, but it’s content may not be all local. If your files are Smart Synced, they’re not actually on your computer. They will be synced/downloaded once you access them. So if you’ve severed the link between your computer and these files online, they will not open.

    Your team’s admin can set a default Smart Sync setting, so you may want to check with them before you change this. 

    Have a look at all of the above, and if you continue to experience this issue, by all means get in touch with our support team. Alternatively, I’ll be happy to open a ticket for you, using the email address associated with your forum profile, so let me know. 

    Cheers! 
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    7 years ago
    I agree with the tips relayed above by Sanchez & The4anoni, though I’d also like to point you towards a slightly different direction, since you’ve mentioned that:
     
    Even if I copy them to my desktop, which has nothing to do with Dropbox (obviously), if I try to open them I get an error about Dropbox.
     
    which to my mind is an issue pertaining specifically to your OS. In other words, if you’re unable to access your files normally even after quitting all Dropbox-related processes (either via the Task Manager or by unlinking your Dropbox account), you may have to check how many files you’ve stored in the Dropbox folder, as this affects the application’s performance. 
     
    You may keep in mind that the performance of the Dropbox desktop app can decline if you have more than 300,000 files synced to your computer. 
     
    To move forward on this matter, you could utilize Smart Sync as Sanchez suggested above (in case you’re working on  a Dropbox Business or Professional account), though you could also have a look at our Selective Sync feature, which lets you choose the folders that’ll be synced to your computer. 
     
    Hopefully this info will shed some more light on the behavior, though please keep us updated here on how these tips work for you, in order to follow-up with you more closely. Thanks again for your detailed post & I’ll be awaiting your next message on this discussion! 
  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    Hey arosko, welcome to our community! 

    What exactly is the error message? 

    If you believe that our app is causing these issues, then we need to make sure that you’re running a fully updated, stable, and supported operating system, and the latest stable version of our desktop app (48.4.58). 

    If all the above are in check, then I would suggest that you exit our desktop app properly, from the icon in the system tray, instead of killing processes in the task manager. 

    If your files are still not accessible, then I would check to see if you’re using Smart Sync. The local Dropbox folder is indeed a real folder, but it’s content may not be all local. If your files are Smart Synced, they’re not actually on your computer. They will be synced/downloaded once you access them. So if you’ve severed the link between your computer and these files online, they will not open.

    Your team’s admin can set a default Smart Sync setting, so you may want to check with them before you change this. 

    Have a look at all of the above, and if you continue to experience this issue, by all means get in touch with our support team. Alternatively, I’ll be happy to open a ticket for you, using the email address associated with your forum profile, so let me know. 

    Cheers! 
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    I agree with the tips relayed above by Sanchez & The4anoni, though I’d also like to point you towards a slightly different direction, since you’ve mentioned that:
     
    Even if I copy them to my desktop, which has nothing to do with Dropbox (obviously), if I try to open them I get an error about Dropbox.
     
    which to my mind is an issue pertaining specifically to your OS. In other words, if you’re unable to access your files normally even after quitting all Dropbox-related processes (either via the Task Manager or by unlinking your Dropbox account), you may have to check how many files you’ve stored in the Dropbox folder, as this affects the application’s performance. 
     
    You may keep in mind that the performance of the Dropbox desktop app can decline if you have more than 300,000 files synced to your computer. 
     
    To move forward on this matter, you could utilize Smart Sync as Sanchez suggested above (in case you’re working on  a Dropbox Business or Professional account), though you could also have a look at our Selective Sync feature, which lets you choose the folders that’ll be synced to your computer. 
     
    Hopefully this info will shed some more light on the behavior, though please keep us updated here on how these tips work for you, in order to follow-up with you more closely. Thanks again for your detailed post & I’ll be awaiting your next message on this discussion! 
    • ertaylor200's avatar
      ertaylor200
      New member | Level 2
      5 years ago

      These suggestions do not help. It is so frustrating that I think I will delete my dropbox files since I cannot get to them. If I have to run it in the background, then it takes too long to run my computer.  I cannot even download them once I am on Word online, as it automatically saves them back to dropbox. I am so frustratedand will rely on other cloud software.  I have used this so long, but now it suddenly creates more havoc that it is worth.

      • Jeremy H.2's avatar
        Jeremy H.2
        New member | Level 2
        4 years ago

        I am having issues as well.  Never had any problems before opening files so it is on Dropboxes end!  These files are highly important and if this is not resolved soon I will be forced to use someone else.  I have over 85,000 files and can't open a lot of them.  

         

        " We couldn't open that file. Rename the file to use a shorter name or copy it to a different folder with a shorter path"

         

        Tried both options and still nothing.... Sometimes if I drag the file to my desktop it will open then I am unable to put the file back where I need it!  Even if a rename the file with even 2 characters it still does not work.  Please help.

  • The4anoni's avatar
    The4anoni
    Helpful | Level 5
    7 years ago
    Hey @arosko
    When did you clean installed Windows ?
    If more than year ago then consider making clean install

    The4anoni

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