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Question

Cannot Reinstall Box Client on Windows 11

  • April 25, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 18 views
A

Hello,

I recently ran into this issue:

https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/ [removed by moderator] -Python-error-and-cannot-install-box-app

However, even after following the outlined steps, the installer still insisted that there was a newer version of Box already installed on my PC, and the Apps still listed Box 2.51.234 as an app, though I had deleted the folder.

Knowing this was a registry issue, and unable to uninstall box any other way since box2.51.234.msi was nowhere to be found on my file system, I scoured Regedit for “2.51.234,” found every Box/Box/ key and subkey, and deleted them. Then I restarted my PC with no issue.

I was able to launch the installer which finally started to install and prompted me for my box log. However, I ran into the this issue where Box says it has no permission to use the target folder, collects logs, and then quits.

Now the installer refuses to run at all despite my best efforts.

I’ve used Box for over a decade an never ran into an issue where the app refuses to uninstall, the installer refuses to repair or replace the installation because I’m running a newer version, I had to rip the app out of thew registry just to get an installer to run, and now can’t get the client to install on my PC at all.

1 reply

Rona Box
  • Rona Box
  • Community Manager
  • April 27, 2026

Hi ​@archabaddon, 

Welcome to Box Community, and we’ll assist in installing Box Drive! 

 

I understand that you already mentioned having your Box Drive uninstalled. However, I need to make sure you followed the right steps. 

 

To completely uninstall the Box Drive application: 

 

IMPORTANT
Any content in your Box Drive desktop location that has not yet successfully been uploaded to Box is deleted from your machine during the uninstall process. Be certain all of your content is uploaded to Box before proceeding. 

  1. Quit Box Drive
  2. Uninstall the application in the Control Panel.

Before removing all traces of Box Drive from your machine, first ensure that all hidden folders are visible.
To view hidden files and folders in Windows:

  1. In the Windows taskbar, open File Explorer.
  2. At the top of the File Explorer window, click View.
  3. In the View menubar, click Options and select Change folder and search options.
  4. At the top of tthe Folder Options window, click the View tab.
  5. In Advanced settings, check Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
  6. At the bottom of the window, click OK.

To remove all traces of the Box Drive application from your machine:

  1. Go to C:\ProgramData\Box and delete the Box subfolder.
  2. Open Registry Editor and delete HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Box\Box.
  3. Go to C:\Users\[USER]\AppData\Local\Box and delete the Box subfolder.
  4. Open Registry Editor and delete HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Box\Box.
  5. Go to C:\Program Files\Box and delete the Box subfolder.
  6. If the machine has multiple user accounts, login using each user account and repeat steps 3 and  4.

 

Next, please install the Box Drive’s latest version through this link. 

 

Hope it helps! Let us know if you need additional assistance. 

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