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

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-09-25T14:01:16+00:00

    I tried this. I selected the file, pressed delete button. File is gone - but is NOT in the recyle bin. Just - Gone.

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-06-29T19:34:42+00:00

    Tom (and Penny) - You are life savers!!!!!!!!!! I had the same issue. All of my files (prior to a recent date) had the brown box. I was frantic! Doing what you said got rid of the brown boxes. You made my day!!!!!!!!

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-06-23T21:49:33+00:00

    I’m in Pictures. When I must sign into Microsoft 3x and then change my password 3x. I give up. My pictures are locked by Microsoft. Pictures are something people will go into a burning building to get out yet Microsoft will destroy them with this brown file box icon and not allow any access. WHY WHY WHY.

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  4. Diane Poremsky MVP 17,526 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-06-23T20:46:10+00:00

    What is the name of the parent folder your files are in?

    Have you tried rebooting? For some people that is better than crashing File Explorer. If you have windows updates waiting ot be installed, definitely reboot and install them.

    Are you signed into the app? Look in the notification area - click on the OneDrive icon (gray is personal OneDrive, blue is business OneDrive account) or Dropbox

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  5. Diane Poremsky MVP 17,526 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2023-06-23T20:39:56+00:00

    Are they in OneDrive or Dropbox folder? Is the app running?

    If you aren't sure, type the name on the start menu and open the app

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