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Forum Discussion
macOS background items and system files. Can I delete these?
On macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, Dropbox 217.4.4417 just made some install changes/updates, but it is not clear what. In System Settings/General/Login Items & Extensions, I have the Dropbox.app in Open at Login and Dropbox (with the blue logo) and Dropbox, Inc. (with no logo) in Allow in the Background.
Can someone please advise the specific purpose of each of these different install items and if they can be removed if their purpose is not needed for my user requirements.
Thank-you.
Same here. I disabled the new one.
Megan:
Thank-you for your reply. Please find attached the requested screenshot. Curiously, the second Dropbox (with the blue logo) in the Allow in the Background section is no longer there. There are no Extensions loading. I guess what I'm asking is what changed and what the different pieces do. I like to understand what is installed so I can remove anything I no longer need.
- Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hi all, thanks for the patience while we checked on this internally.
The team let us know that in the "Allow in the background" section, Mac OS seems to be pulling the developer name/name of who signed the app, which is why it shows up differently. If you disable Dropbox from running in the background, this will probably affect your ability to sync in the background. Having a Dropbox app in the "Open at Login" section means that Dropbox will start when you startup or log in to your device. I also have this same question as an additional Dropbox extension has been loaded on my system today, which now has the same configuration as Steve's. Megan, I felt you were a bit disingenuous with Steve - of course he specifically said he was talking about login items and extensions. Would you mind to actually answer the question that we have? I don't know about Steve, but I am specifically concerned with tracking like so many apps want to do now. I'm also not interested in having you, Megan, tell us what you think these items are doing - I am specifically asking you to research this and give us accurate information in response. Would you be willing to do that for your customers?
Thanks, Kevin
- Megan
Hey SteveDC, thanks for posting here today!
Dropbox's latest update has introduced improvement to its installation, background processes and extensions.
To clarify, are you referring to app extensions and system files that help optimize our app's performance? Feel free to send me a screenshot of the items you mentioned, and specifically how they're visible on your end; in order for me to have a visual.
These components ensure that our app runs smoothly, launches automatically at login, and enables real-time syncing.
Disabling them may impact its functionality, including automatic syncing and Finder integration.
If your question is about deeper system files or background services beyond what's listed there, let me know I'd be happy to help.
OK, I can see this posted incorrectly so I am moving it here:
I also have this same question as an additional Dropbox extension has been loaded on my system today, which now has the same configuration as Steve's. Megan, I felt you were a bit disingenuous with Steve - of course he specifically said he was talking about login items and extensions. Would you mind to actually answer the question that we have? I don't know about Steve, but I am specifically concerned with tracking like so many apps want to do now. I'm also not interested in having you, Megan, tell us what you think these items are doing - I am specifically asking you to research this and give us accurate information in response. Would you be willing to do that for your customers?
Thanks, Kevin
