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Is it possible to permanently delete multiple files/folders?

Is there presently a way to permanently delete a whole lot of files & folders at once? I have seen instructions that refer to clicking a trash can in order to do so; but I don't see a trash can. I can see a way to delete files one at a time, but I have hundreds to permanently delete. Thank you.

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Tom V

If I move (cut & paste) files to another folder outside Dropbox, rather than "delete" them, would that be any different, in regard to someone being able to restore them?

Rich

No, it wouldn't be any different. No one but you can restore files in your account. If that's your concern, I think you're worrying over nothing.

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Rich

You can delete files en masse by selecting groups of them first and then clicking on Delete. They will be deleted from your account but not permanently deleted. You can then permanently delete them from the Deleted Files page (formerly a trash can icon). There is no way to permanetly delete files in a single action.

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

Tom V

Thanks Rich. However, after deleting, when I go to the Deleted Files page, if I click on one file or folder in order to begin selecting all of them, I immediately get a pop-up window asking me if I want to delete it or restore that one file or folder. I can't seem to select a bunch of files & folders at once to make permanently deleted. Is there a way to do that?

Rich

No, not from the Deleted Files page.

Tom V

So there is no way to make a whole bunch of deletions permanent all at once, without doing each one separately?

Rich

No.

Tom V

If I move (cut & paste) files to another folder outside Dropbox, rather than "delete" them, would that be any different, in regard to someone being able to restore them?

Rich

No, it wouldn't be any different. No one but you can restore files in your account. If that's your concern, I think you're worrying over nothing.

sean1wren

Is there any saine logic behind not being able to delete multiple files permanently en mass without having to put a tick in the box of each of the files you want to pemanently delete ? In my view that is just plane dumb,

JOOYOUNG C.

That seems like a weird way to scare people into keeping more crap on their dropbox than they need, we should be able to opt out of that if we want. I've backedup certain files and I want them OFF dropbox, and getting a warning everytime I delete something is tedious, a waste of time, and honestly feels a little sleazy-- that you don't just let us empty our trash bins.

The more one hoardes onto your digital cloud, the harder it is to get it off but people can't stop paying for it because they don't want to lose precious files or what might be precious files. Honestly, the storage system interace seems to make it hard to get rid of things and you can't even show us how many mgs of data are in a folder, that seems pretty sketchy if you ask me. I was trying to cut down on how much stuff I had on Dropbox and I realized I had to click on teach folder just to find out what was inside. This is a complete waste of my time and I am looking forward to getting off your paid subscription. For some reason this feels more like quitting smoking or a drug than it should, you make it much harder than it should be for sensible file management, and you encourage unhealthy digital hoarding habits.

dawnbowles

I agree - I've been off dropbox for quite some time and just starting using it again. I'm trying to clean up my files but Dropbox makes it very hard to do so. I'm leaving again. I don't appreciate being forced to use more data than I need. Was a good idea but you've gotten greedy now. Too bad. This is taking hours of precious time when it should take minutes.

Daphne

Hey there @dawnbowles,

Can you let us know a little more info on exactly what you're trying to achieve and where you're running into an issue? Are you trying to delete files from your account, or permanently delete multiple files at a time? If you can provide a little more detail on your issue, I'd be more than happy to help!

Keep me posted - thanks!

Orangitang

If you're still trying to permanently delete multiple files from the Deleted Files page, you can click on one item and hold shift while clicking towards the end of the list. Then select "Permanently Delete." We should really have a "Select All" button, I have thousands to delete...

Baz2

It's October 2020 and Dropbox has failed to provide a select all button .
Your strategy is unsustainable and makes no sense. I've cancelled my subscription and moved to one of your rivals. I can't seem to delete files in the app ...