Files have a brown box on their icon and dont open in Windows 11

Anonymous
2022-02-12T17:29:29+00:00

What is going on here? There is no information anywhere so it obviously isnt a problem for everyone.

Most of my files stored on Dropbox now have a small brown file box icon on the lower left corner of the main icon for all MS Office files. They open perfectly well on the phone and a laptop running Windows 10 but not on my laptop running Windows 11.

I get an error message saying the program cant open it because the file is unsupported or may be corrupt.

Why the **** do they release an OS that doesn't work with their own programs??

Please help,

Thanks

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

118 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2024-09-30T15:53:10+00:00

    I also found this to be the problem. I think my Antivirus system (I use AVG) had stopped Dropbox. Anyway, whatever the cause, Dropbox was stopped and (almost) every file had a brown box on its icon. I started Dropx again through searching for the app and opening it. About 2000 files then updated and all the brown box icons have disappeared.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-05-18T18:04:10+00:00

    In my case it was MS OneDrive waiting for me to sign in. Whatever your cloud storage is, check it and sign in.

    The tip about deleting and restoring the file from Recycle bin is false. Do not do this. If you delete a pic in W11 from desktop, it doesn't even go to the recycle bin, it just disappears.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2024-04-22T05:36:09+00:00

    I am pretty sure this is an error that occurs when a files archive attributes become corrupted.

    I found that deleting the files then restoring them from the recycle bin resolved the problem.

    Alternatively should be able to alter the files attributes through the command line or graphically through windows explorer by selecting the file, right click/properties/advanced attributes and toggle the "File is ready for archiving".

    Hope that helps.

    Your help doesnt work , I am still stuck too, Could we have a proper explaination as what's going on , was it a failed patch that causes this scenario

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-04-17T16:33:53+00:00

    I have the opposite. If I open in Onedrive I can't open the file

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  5. Anonymous
    2024-04-17T15:51:11+00:00

    I have this problem too. This problem was reported in Feb 2022! I've had this problem for months and it's April 2024. Surely Micosoft windows 11 should have this problem sorted by now?? This is very frustrating :(

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments