I don't like the recent files to be shown. Can I turn off the feature or at least clear the files so they don't show up?
Hi all,
Thanks for keeping sending your thoughts and thanks for summarizing it Alexis.
You have the ability to switch off recents from your https://www.dropbox.com/account page. That currently works for web only and not mobile.
It can't be disabled and there's no way to clear the list. If you don't want to see it anymore, create a bookmark for the Files page and use it to enter the site. You'll bypass the Recents page that way.
Hey Lorenzo,
Do you want to clear the Recents list because you don't want others to see? Or is it because you don't find files there that are of use to you?
Thanks for helping us understand why.
I personally don't mind the Recents page, I actually like it. But we definitely need a way to filter out unimportant files, perhaps by extension or by using a list of folders to ignore. As you can see from the screenshot below, I use Dropbox to store some apps preferences (TextExpander, 1Password, etc) and their config files show up in the Recents page.
Like most people, I'd like to use the Recents page to access my latest PDFs, images, doc files, and so on; not application assets.
Marco- thanks for the response and screenshot. We're working on filtering out those junk files better. Will have an update soon.
We're working on filtering out those junk files better.
This is one issue I always seem to have with Dropbox. What would be a junk file to one person may be an important file to me. Don't decide what is or isn't junk for us. Instead, give us the ability to filter the results ourselves. Stop assuming that you know what's best for us and please give us some control over our own user experience.
"This is one issue I always seem to have with Dropbox. What would be a junk file to one person may be an important file to me. Don't decide what is or isn't junk for us. Instead, give us the ability to filter the results ourselves."
A bit harsh, but I agree. Lots of developers or advanced users might want to have rapid access to those types of file. Personally, I think the best way to solve this would be to filter out those files by default since most people won't need them, but at the same time have a whitelist option where we can add specific folders or file extensions that the filter should ignore.
It was intended as harsh because the same argument has been made (by others as well) on the forums many times over the last couple of years. We like the changes that Dropbox gives us, but we want more control over them. Don't just assume that I want to start on the Recents page when I log in (I don't!) and allow us to set the default page. Don't assume the important files types are the same for everyone. Things like that.
@Christopher I'd rather have the option of hiding / disabling the "Recent Files" option all together as it's not useful, is a potential security issue for those who use Dropbox for business, and it takes up the most important bit of real estate where it currently is.
There should be a feature just like in Carousel where you can hide specific folder. Also add specfic file types and that issue would be resolved for everybody !
My 2 cents about the recent folder is that it takes way too long for DropBox to load open now. It slows down my productivity and I am for the first time cursing the login. I also don't want others to see files that have been recently loaded. I look forward to this being an option rather than the default.
Is there really no way to turn Recents off? That's an elementary design error.
Is there really no way to turn Recents off?
No, there isn't. Bookmark the Files page and use that to enter the site.
It looks like Dropbox might be changing that (it's already not the default for some people and mine has changed as well, though I was part of the beta). Give it some time and you may see that it changes back.
Rich, thanks for your reply. I actually noticed that workaround later as I read some more after making my post. I find it amusing that the URL for Files is "Home." Of course it is! :-)
Ya, Christopher. I am not the only one who logs into my dropbox. I don't necessarily want others to see my recent files.
Many of us use dropbox for both personal and private files. Consider the camera upload feature and recent files opening by default and you might get the "picture" maybe a picture you don't particularly want displayed in public when looking for a business file. Or if someone just happens to look over your shoulder at the wrong moment. Allow us to disable this.
I'm going to be rather frank. I'm a gay man who uses Dropbox for business and pleasure. With the default set to 'Recent', I run the risk of people seeing photos that are better left private when opening the app on my android phone - more so when someone might be looking over my shoulder. The default should be set to "Files" or at least provide an option to nominate a default folder. Dropbox is an amazingly good product. But privacy issues should be taken into serious consideration. To this end, I support the view of Paul M above. Best regards to all.
the URL for Files is "Home." https://www.dropbox.com/home
This thread is referring to the Recents page on the Dropbox website; not the mobile clients.For further discussion about Recents on the mobile clients, please refer to the following thread:
The mobile thread isn't exactly the same, though - it is requesting how to clear the recent files list, not pointing out that it was a douchey move to force the behavior on users without an option to turn it off. Right now, if anybody picks up my tablet and opens Dropbox, they get to see whatever I'm working on, unless I start jumping through hoops to lock the tablet down. I'd be better off copying files over manually or using a different app.
if anybody picks up my tablet and opens Dropbox, they get to see whatever I'm working on
For the time being, enable the feature that requires a PIN to open Dropbox. No one will be able to see your files if they open Dropbox.
What is the best way to make sure other users can't see your recent files? I have people at work that do have access to my drop box.
I don't like the Dropbox Android mobile app forcing me to "recents" folder. When I switch to "files" to view contents of specific folders, my device back button no longer takes me back a page. It keeps bouncing me back to the same folder. Something terribly wrong. The previous app version did not do that. Also, some suggested "bookmark the "files" folder page. Well... if only there was a way to bookmark. This version of the mobile app does not provide a way to bookmark. So I deleted the app from my phone until Dropbox figures out a way to make it more friendly and faster like the previous version. I don't need the frustration while they work the bugs out.
I know this is true for both iPhone and Android. I use a Samsung Note 4. When I (and everyone else) opens the Dropbox app, the first thing that pops up is "Recents". At one time, it was not there, now it is. IF you read the comments EVERYWHERE, this is not acceptable. If you care about your customers, you will listen and remove it. Even if you allowed the ability to clear it, it is still NOT acceptable as it could be too late at that point if someone is standing beside me. Once the app is opened, the files are visible until it was cleared (but not possible to do this). There just might be private photos in your "supposedly" secure app. If someone is standing beside you and you open the Dropbox app, there could be and it's happened to me and many others according to the forums, a photo that is TOTALLY private and it's too late, the damage is done. Again, this is not acceptable and as far as I'm concerned (and many others), this is not something that is needed. Someone in the development team seemed to think it was a good idea,,,,,,,,,,well, it isn't. I know if it was an added (unsecured) "feature", then it can be removed. Listen to your customers, they (us) made you big so listen to us. I know there is a work around by making a shortcut to the folder you want to show when opening Dropbox, however this is not a fix. This must be removed. You claim that security is your top priority, then prove it and make us feel more secure. We don't need files accidentally seen.I hope to have a positive reply and the only positive reply would be that it is going to be removed. The "Resents" folder I suppose could be there in a CLOSED state at the very least. Not open and visible to prying eyes. This is not an acceptable and I hope you are taking the 1000's of complaints seriously.Greg
IT'S OBVIOUS BY THE COMMENTS FOLLOWING MY ORIGINAL POST THAT PEOPLE DO NOT WANT THE "RECENT" FEATURE. HOW HARD IS IT TO LET US DISABLE THIS FEATURE? I BET IT'S NOT AS HARD AS YOUR CUSTOMERS FINDING A NEW CLOUD SYSTEM. FIX THIS NOW...pretty please.
Please remove the recent folder or at the very least allow us to make it inactive. I not long ago deleted files from my recent folder and you know what happened. It deleted the files from the original folder shared by someone else. They then had to place the deleted files back into their folder. I do not care for it. Looks like there are quite a few people that do not care for it. I'm still trying to understand why it was done that way.
Again...
This thread is referring to the Recents page on the Dropbox website; not the mobile clients. For further discussion about Recents on the mobile clients, please refer to the following thread:
Using a bookmark to bypass the Recents page only works if you are accessing Dropbox with a browser. If using the app, the page is the default. It is a minor software change to give users the option of which page is the default. I wrote software for over 30 years before retiring. Get one of the software engineers to stay over a couple lunch hours and get it done...... The community has been asking for this for a long time. Thanks much.....
Do we know if Dropbox are working on a way to disable Recents or allow more control of Recents?
I don't like the recents feature because it shows private pictures I've view recently. If I have camera upload on and take some risque pictures for or with my SO I don't want those flashing up on the screen. You guys should offer an option to turn it off, or at least exclude some folders from ever showing up there... right now I have to keep a passcode on my app so it doesn't flash up pics I don't want to share at work or when my kids are around.
Seriously, think about this before you make a feature mandatory.
It's clear users want some options related with Recent List
1- a button to clear the recent list
2- a button to disable recent list
3- a configuration options where users can filter recent lists
