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Deleted Files won't stay deleted

I have a folder that I delete but keeps coming back. I delete it and then try to permanently delete it. When I do that, I get an error that the files can't be permanently deleted because they are still active.

This is a huge issue because that folder keeps putting me over my limit. This folder was not meant to stay on my account for long. I just need it to go away.

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Rich

If a file or folder returns when you delete it, it's because it was unable to be deleted on one of your connected devices.

You delete a file on computer A. Dropbox is informed that it has been deleted and syncs that change to your account. Dropbox on your other devices is notified that the file has been deleted, so they also remove the file. On computer B, Dropbox is unable to remove that file for whatever reason (permission, locked, read-only, etc.). The result is that the file remains in place. Dropbox sees the file is still there, thinks it's been added and uploads it back to your account. All your other devices are notified of the "new" file and they sync it back down.

So the problem is likely that the file or folder in question on one of your devices is unable to be deleted. Figure out which (use Previous Versions to see which computer is adding it back) and fix what is holding it there, and you should be able to delete it.

Sanchez

Hey @SaraAmies, welcome to our community!

Can you tell me where/how you’re deleting your files? Let me know and we’ll go from there.

Thanks!

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Rich

finsnlinit

OMG I didn't think about that. You just made my life SO much easier. THANK YOU...THANK YOU!!

pkiula

Same issue. Instead of creating a new thread, I'll ask here. Why is the deletion process so knuckle-headed in Dropbox? Folders aren't getting deleted, even after I go in and "delete permanently". They keep showing in the listing of files while Drobox shows the nag-message at the top about upgrading. Photos cannot be deleted either, there's no way to mass-delete them. What a stupid, stupid, stupid. I'd just like to delete everything and have a clean account in case someone needs to share a folder/file with me and is still using this archaic solution. Please help -- how should I delete mu files, folders, everything shared, all photos, etc. (This is a 1 second process in Google Drive.)

PS: I don't have dropbox on any device anymore. Only in browser.

Thank you!

Rich

https://help.dropbox.com/desktop-web/delete-files

Sanchez

Hey @pkiula, welcome to our forum!

I understand that you don’t have our Dropbox app installed on any computer, but this is currently the best way of mass-deleting content. I also understand your frustration with doing this online, and I am sending your comments over to our team for review.

Thanks

Sanchez

Hi @finsnlinit & @pkiula

Would you mind taking a minute of your time to fill out a survey sharing your experience using our Dropbox Community? You can access the survey here: http://bit.ly/2lNKIxT

Thank you!

SaraAmies

I do not have any other devices, but the files do not stay deleted.

Sanchez

Hey @SaraAmies, welcome to our community!

Can you tell me where/how you’re deleting your files? Let me know and we’ll go from there.

Thanks!

RoseCarol

That is my same issue. I dont have it installed anywhere else. Only use it from the browser, and it still wont let me permanetly delete them. I should not have to wait 30 days or 1 year for a file to be deleted. I pay for my account and If i am sure I want to delete a file then please delete them.

Sanchez

Hey @RoseCarol, welcome to our community!

Can you post a screenshot of the folder showing its location, and then another when you try to permanently delete it? Please make sure to omit any personal or private info. If you’re more comfortable doing this over email, I’ll be happy to follow up with you.

Let me know.

Thanks!

atdpath

I have the same issue but didn't want to start a new thread: I show deleted files, click on the ellipsis and then hit "delete permanently". A popup informs me that the folder will be permanently deleted. A progress bar then appears that says "deleting". The progress bar goes away and the file is still in my list. This is a big problem since we have two similar folders, one of which is outdated and needs to be deleted to avoid confusion. Any assistance would be much appreciated.

Walter

Sorry to hear that @atdpath - have you tried doing this via another browser other than the one you currently use? If you do and this persists, try deleting this folder from your computer first.

Let me know how this goes. Thanks!

atdpath

I have tried deleting it in 3 different browsers. What do you mean, "Deleting from my computer first"? I don't think it is on my computer!

Afsaan

Deleted Files won't stay recovery

Walter

Thanks for the response @atdpath!

If you have the desktop app running on your computer, then you must have it there too. Can you look inside your Dropbox Folder and delete it from there if you do?

If not, send a screenshot of the problem to get a better understanding or even log a ticket with our team so we can help with all of our tools available.

@Afsaan : Would you mind elaborating on this? Are you having trouble deleting files from your account as well?

FLUncleBill

This is so confusing. I have no idea what Dropbox is doing. I am on the dropbox web site but it won't let me delete photos. I want to be able to add photos from any device to my account, and also use those same photos from my dropbox account with any other device i am on. I will only delete photos by going to the website.

Maybe I just don't understand what drop box is all about. I cannot afford to be frustrated and thus unproductive all the time. It took me 15 minutes just to find a place to ask a question and I have no idea if I am in the right place now doing it.

I will probably press enter now, and everythinhg i have written will be deleted.

Walter

If you're trying to delete photos from your Photos tab that's normal @FLUncleBill - you'll need to find those in their original locations and delete them from there.

To do this via the website, browse to the file you'd like to delete, click on the box to the left of the file's name and select the "Show in folder" option from the right pane menu.

From there, you should be able to delete the file(s) you'd like normally.

Let me know if I got anything wrong and we'll take it from there if needed.

Happy New Year too!

Ggggg1

This is the most frequent question, and yet, Dropbox can’t find one single person to just answer it once and for all... it’s sad for such a well know server. Get it together Db

Walter

What exactly seems to be troubling you @Ggggg1 ?

Are you having the same issue as the OP or a similar one?

Have you tried contacting our Support team for direct and account specific assistance?

You can do so from the following page if needed:

https://www.dropbox.com/support

If there's anything I can help with from my end, do let me know please.

Oh, and happy Monday!

frus

I think I have the same issue, so not starting a new thread, here it is.

Only, in my case this is what it says:

By accident when installing Dropbox I put "sync with desktop". Which I do NOT want to do. I couldn't find any way to delete this. Tried to delete the Dropbox app and reinstall it, but it didn't change this. I don't want this to be a feature, how to solve this?

Walter

Hi @frus; thanks for joining our discussion here and sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

It looks like you've somehow enabled the new, beta computer backup feature so I'd suggest starting from the relevant Help |Center article in this case:

https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/automatic-computer-backup-faqs

I hope this helps to some extent!

frus

Thanks @walter for the quick response. I managed in the meantime to completely remove the app from the computer and install it again, and in the new installation I changed that preference. So far it seems that it isn't syncing the desktop anymore. But it was hidden in "advanced" preferences which is not very nice, since it is a major change.