I recently converted my computer into a dedicated Steam Box by replacing the default Windows shell with Steam and booting directly into Big Picture mode (using http://buildasteambox.blogspot.com/2013/02/turn-windows-7-pc-into-dedicated-steam.html tutorial). Everything works great and I am having a grand 'ol time playing my PC games on my TV with a gamepad. I like to keep my Steam screenshots in my Dropbox folder so I can access them anywhere. I used to be able to copy them from the Steam folders to my Dropbox folder after I was done playing a particular game but now that I now longer use the Windows shell copying them over is not an option. In what I thought was a clever bit of folder manipulation I created a symbolic link from the Steam screenshot folder to my Dropbox folder using the mklink command so that when I take a screenshot in-game it will automatically get saved to my Dropbox folder.

This is where I run into a problem. When my computer boots up it launches directly into Steam and since I do not load the Windows shell Dropbox does not get loaded either which means my symbolic link is useless. Is there a way (via a script or something) to force the Dropbox service to load even though I am not loading the Windows shell? If anyone can answer this then you will win 10 Internet Points?.

If you have access to a command line, then you can try this

http://www.dropboxwiki.com/dropbox-addons/uploader-for-windows-shell

Also, even though you are not launching the Windows Shell, try using the Send To folder, which you may still get from a Right Click

http://www.labnol.org/software/send-files-to-dropbox/18438/

There may also be this program

http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2010/07/15/dropbox-shell-tools-lets-you-copy-files-quickly-to-your-dropbox/

I am actually at work right now (and will be for the next 9-ish hours) but I'll give a few of them a go when I get home. I'm not sure they will work though because what I am trying to accomplish is getting my screenshots to move to my Dropbox folder without me doing anything at all other than taking a screenshot. Basically, I turned my computer into a Steam console and I can't actually right-click on anything.

Also, and this is completely unrelated to the topic, I'm convinced I would chew my arm off if it would help get me back to Durango and to the mountains. Michigan is boring.

I am going to be in Michigan this week, Muskegon area. Taking the train.

Durango is overrated really. Except for Guido's (Guido's Favorite) Lady Falkenbergs (iirc) and Gazpacho's.

Muskegon is not bad but Grand Haven is WAY better and is not all that far away. I miss Francisco's and Serious Texas BBQ. And the biking trails. I might actually try to race the Iron Horse next year.

Grand Haven is actually where everything is happening (GF's Daughter's Wedding) and we will be in Grand Haven most of the time. So, that's good. We just have to stay in Muskegon for the weekend as the house is packed with people. If your going to do the Iron Horse, come a week early and stay in Silverton. That way you'll acclimate to the lack of oxygen, coming from about 1000 feet or so where you are.

As for your question, perhaps Defron will stumble on this. It might also mean you have to run a script or get some third party tool.

That's what I figured, I just do not have any experience writing scripts or even where to put the script if I did write one.