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cgrace18's avatar
cgrace18
Helpful | Level 6
2 months ago

Dropbox won't run or uninstall - Windows 11

For context, I'm the IT director for an office of 20 users and all are running Dropbox and Windows 11. One user's computer suddenly stopped starting the Dropbox app at startup. When I began to troubleshoot, I found that it also would not uninstall. After several attempts to get it to uninstall, it went through and I reinstalled a clean copy, which then proceeded to have the same issue. I factory restored the device, did a full clean install of everything and it worked perfectly for a day and a half before returning to this issue. The only error message that it brings up is when I try to uninstall the program, it says 'failed to uninstall' but does not give any sort of error code. When I try to start the app, the blue wheel spins for a moment and then goes away as though it is successful - but it's not running.

 

If I go manually start Dropbox, nothing happens. The app will not run or show signs of trying to start up. In the task manager window, you can see Dropbox is 'running' in the background, but at .1% or lower. I have tried starting it in Safe Mode with networking and it still will not start up. 

 

All devices are running the same updates and the same security programs and this is the only one that is behaving this way. It's a newer computer (under a year old) and is an i7. All other programs seem to be operating fine. 

 

Dropbox version 208.4.5824

Windows 23H2

OS Build 22631.4169

 

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi cgrace18, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    When you installed the Dropbox desktop application, was it installed with admin privileges?

     

    This will help me to assist further!

    • cgrace18's avatar
      cgrace18
      Helpful | Level 6

      Yes - and I have tried uninstalling it with admin privileges several times, as well as the user having administrator privileges.  

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Thanks for the info, I'd recommend contacting the support team directly for them to investigate this'd matter in more detail on their end.

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