Running Dropbox On Windows Server

KB ID 0001489

Problem

If you are here, you have probably already found out that Dropbox is not supported on Windows Server platforms. You can install it and set it up happily but it stops working and needs to be relaunched all the time (manually).

I love dropbox! So much I actually pay for it! I run it on my management server and its handy for copying file up into my test network, so I can appreciate how annoying it is having to restart it all the time. So to fix the problem we have to use a piece of software that’s over 15 years old! 

Running Dropbox as a Service on Windows Server

First you have to stop dropbox running.

Stop Dropbox On Server

Then download srvany and extract the executable to the Dropbox install directory (C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox). Note: This file is form the old Server 2003 resource kit.

Dropbox as a Service

From an elevated command prompt run the following command;

sc create Dropbox binPath= “C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\srvany.exe” DisplayName= “Dropbox Service”

Run Dropbox on a Server

Run services.msc > locate the dropbox Service  > And set its ‘LogOn’ to the account you were logged in with, when you installed the Dropbox software.

Dropbox on Server 2019

Change the startup type to Automatic, (Don’t start the service yet!) > OK.

Dropbox Always On

Execute the following three commands;

New-Item -Path HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dropbox\Parameters

New-ItemProperty -Path HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Dropbox\Parameters -Name Application -PropertyType String -Value “C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\Dropbox.exe”

Start-Service Dropbox

Keep Dropbox Running On a Server

Update:

You also need to execute the following from an ‘Administrative command window’, (or Dropbox will stop synchronising after a few hours).

SETX /M QT_OPENGL software

Dropbox Keeps Stopping On Server

Related Articles, References, Credits, or External Links

Special Thanks to Frédéric for the SETX command to fix the timeout.

Author: PeteLong

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9 Comments

  1. I have been using this for the past two years, currently on Server 2019 and it has been great, however it appears to have stopped working about 2 weeks ago. Works fine when the service is stopped and Dropbox is run in the GUI, but as a service no syncing occurs anymore. Have there been any known changes that break this solution?

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  2. I’ve got the same problem, is there anybody who find a solution? dropbox is working only when it’s in the tray. if dropbox is stop and the service is started there is no sync.

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    • Mine is the same way. Stopped syncing when the tray doesn’t run. Any one have a clue?

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      • Hi
        I found something, it’s working for me, maybe this can help.
        SETX /M QT_OPENGL software
        best regards

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  3. Issue where dropbox stops working, the fix has been added to the article (above)

    Pete

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  4. Very strange in this way dropbox sync new created elements but dont delete it when removed from filesystem O_o !

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  5. Followed all of the steps, but no luck. DropBox will not sync anything when started as a service. Any ideas?

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  6. Hello, tried this fix, but when I am editing log on options in the newly created dropbox service, I input my login and password, but when I try to confirm it sais: “The specified domain either does not exist or could not be contacted.”
    Any ideas what am I doing wrong?

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    • Sounds like an internal DNS problem TBF?

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