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Isaksp00's avatar
Isaksp00
New member | Level 2
5 years ago

Can't remove dropbox folder icon from Win File Explorer

Since Dropbox recently limited free accounts to three devices I had to delete it from my desktop PC and a laptop. The deletion from the laptop went OK. The deletion from the desktop (Windows 10) occurred, but left a sort of transparent document icon in File Explorer. See screen snap. I can't delete this, even after a reboot. If I right click on the icon there is no delete option, nor can I use the delete key if I click on it - nothing happens. Any ideas on how to force a deletion? It seems to be a shortcut type link that points to the now deleted dropbox folder on the C drive.

Thanks.

 

Desktop
Setting up the apps
Windows
  • isaksp02's avatar
    isaksp02
    5 years ago

    I found a fix by using regedit to search the registry for the string "c:\users\peter\dropbox". If you use this, obviously the string would be the name that is in the Properties dialog box of your ghost system folder icon. It found one entry, "under" a clsid. See screen shot below. I searched for the string that is the clsid (the thing between curly braces), and found it in several places. One of them was here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Desktop\NameSpace\{E31EA727-12ED-4702-820C-4B6445F28E1A} That contained these values:

    Name        Type        Data

    (Default)   REG_SZ  Dropbox

    I figured from the other data similar to it in the registry that it is where file explorer finds the info it uses to display these icons over to the left. For example, the value right above that reg entry is similar and has "data" = "Onedrive", which is another icon in file explorer. I deleted the key and the ghost icon is gone. Now, since the clsid appears in other places in the registry I likely have some leftover, useless data, but I hope it is not harmful.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    5 years ago

    Hi Isaksp00 - welcome to the Community and happy Monday!

    I'm sorry for the late reply; are you still having issues with this? 

    If you do, could you right click inside the window you're showing in your screenshot and force it to refresh? 

    Let me know how it goes! 

    • Isaksp00's avatar
      Isaksp00
      New member | Level 2
      5 years ago

      Yes, that "ghost" folder-like icon is still there. I don't see any refresh option in Windows Explorer when I right-click in any pane.

    • Isaksp00's avatar
      Isaksp00
      New member | Level 2
      5 years ago

      I see how to get a refresh now, but it did not help.

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        5 years ago

        Hi Isaksp00; I'm merely checking back with you on this. Have you been able to resolve your concern so far? 

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