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You can't share a folder that contains a shared folder - BUT I AM NOT!

Really confused! I need to give access to someone to collaborate but when I try to do this it says 'You can't share a folder that contains a shared folder' and only gives me the option to send them the link (which I have but it is not ideal). I feel sure that I have not previously shared any of the sub-folders and when I click on the sharing option at the side it does not show that any of these folders haver been shared. How can I solve this so I can share the folders inside. It is folders containing audio recordings from an App we have purchased called ALON Dictaphone.

Would really appreciate advice to solve this.

Phil

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Rich

If you're getting a message that you can't share a folder because it contains or is a member of another shared folder, then there's another shared folder. It's as simple as that. Look at the Sharing page for a list of your shared folders. If there's one listed, even if you're not sharing it with anyone (i.e. you're the only member) it's still considered a shared folder.

All comments

DaveC2

It only does that if it finds one, so it must be there, using the left side SHARING link, place your mouse over each share, and look to the bottom left (most browsers) for the expanded full path of the shares, one of them will be in the folder your trying to share.

Lauren V.6

This answer is the only one that works

Jorden C.

This is causing me big problems with my clients today. Absolutely ridiculous.

DaveC2

Well its been like this from the start so why did it only cause problems today?

sacha p.

I have the same problem! there is no sign of a folder being shared, but when i try to share it i get a message that it's being shared so i can't share it! what is going on? how do i fix that?

Jayne J.

Having the same problem as described here, did it get resolved?

Rich

Info A.2

We are having the sam issue and do NOT have shared folders, we even deleted all shared folders just to be sure and we had the same error, can somebody please help

Dave Carter

click on the SHARING link and double check you have no shared folders.

Info A.2

Already check 5 times, we do not have any shared folders within the folder in question, how do we escalate this issue please

Dave Carter

you cant share a folder that IS in a shared folder either.

Info A.2

Yes understand that how do we escalate please?

Dave Carter

1) you said "we even deleted all shared folders"

2) you said "we do not have any shared folders within the folder"

1 is not the same as 2, 2 implies you have other shared folders.

So I said if a parent folder is shared it wont work either, are you sure there are none?

Additionally : is the folder your trying to share a app folder by any chance?

aka One of the folders created by 3rd party applications?

-- to escalate --

You submit a ticket in the support section.

Info A.2

YES trying to share a 3rd party application folder

Dave Carter

You cant, its a shared folder between you and the application access system.

Sorry should have mentioned that earlier

Only mechanic to get around it is if you can give the application global dropbox access.

Marjoline V.

I have fought this battle also, was totally confused. And I am embarrassed to admit that in the end I indeed did find another shared folder somewhere stashed away as a sub-sub-sub-folder. Much to my surprise.

Info A.2

How do I give the application global dropbox access?

Rich

How do I give the application global dropbox access?

That's something specified by the developer at the time the application is created within Dropbox. Once an app has reached production status, its access type cannot be changed.

Sabatino T.

Got the solution ...

Simply go to the "Sharing page", you will see a list of all you shared folder. You will see folders that are shared "JUST YOU". Those folders are still considered shared folders.

1. Click on "Share" on the Left hand side to see sharing options

2. Click on "Unshare folder" at the Bottom Right hand side

So, now the folder will be kept on your dropbox but will not be a shared folder anymore.

KChristy

I followed the directions above but STILL am unable to "unshare" previously shared folders so I can share the parent folder. Frustrated.

If I may, this entire hang-up is inhibitory. Why impose this anti-sharing rule in the first place? Why not allow us more freedom and control over how we share?

Zabitudo

Just press "UNSHARE FOLDER" button in "FOLDER SETTING MENU" before sharing any file upward. This action will make disapear the error message "This file can only be shared with a link, because it contains a shared folder."

Il suffit d'appuyer sur "Annuler le partage" dans le menu "Paramètres du dossier" avant de partager un dossier en amont. Cela fera disparaitre le message d'erreur "Ce dossier ne peut être partager que sous la forme d'un lien, car il continent un dossier partagé."

KChristy

Thanks for the response. I was able to fix it. Instead of unsharing the sub-folders with each person (which I did initially), I clicked on the sub-folder, clicked "edit," and then unshared it at the bottom of the pop-up window. I then proceeded to each of the shared sub folders and finally was able to share the main, parent folder.

I do wish this rule were not in place. I'd prefer to share some of our company's sub folders with a larger group of individuals but the parent folders with only a select group. Yes, I can do this individually (i.e., share each of the sub folders with the select group, too), but I'd rather maintain the hierarchy and cleanness on both ends, rather than having to deal with all the sub-folders. Please consider. Thanks.

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