No preview of files when they're "online only" using Windows 11.

[Brad Davis]

When I try to search through files that are online only - there is now preview even though I am using the file explorer "dropbox app".

Is there a way to configure the app so that I don't need to keep all of our files in "offline" as this significantly slows down our computers.

[Megan]

Hey @Brad Davis, welcome to our Community! 

Does this happen with all your online-only files, or just some of them? Also, when did this start happening? 

Are you referring to the thumbnail preview, or the preview when you try to open the files? 

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there! 

[Brad Davis]

Using file explorer when I am looking through multiple files, there is no preview on the right hand side that shows images or the document - This makes file searching very sluggish as I need to open each file to view it even if just trying to glance at it.

[Megan]

Hey @Brad Davis, would you mind clarifying the Dropbox version you're currently using? 

You can find this by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your task bar, next to your WiFi. 

If you have any screenshots, feel free to send them over in order for me to also have a visual of this. 

[Brad Davis]

Hi Megan, Please see the image attached.

When I click on a file there is no preview that comes up on the right hand side - This makes reviewing multiple files in a folder very difficult - I appreciate that making the data "offline" may be a resolution - however I would think that i shouldn't need to use up space on my computer when using the dropbox app.

[Brad Davis]

Also - Version is up to date:

[Megan]

Hey @Brad Davis, based on everything you mentioned, it sounds that switching the files' state to "available offline" helps remedy this behavior, am I right? 

What happens when you temporarily quit the Dropbox app? Do you still notice the same thing then?

[Brad Davis]

Hi Megan,

Yes this issue has only come since I transferred all file to be online only - As i mentioned before I don't think I should have to store our whole Dropbox on our computers to have a preview of the files.

Using the online portal is not an option as its quite clunky and not user friendly when searching through masses of documents.