I want to clear all the Recent file list, there has no clear function please advise how to clear the list.Thanks & regards
Swe Tin
The files within these directories seem to be .DB and .DBX which may be readable with SQLite (I have not tested).
While Dropbox does indeed use SQLite, the databases are encrypted and cannot be modified.
I'm going to see if I can stop notifications for this thread.
If you haven't found it yet, there is an Unfollow link on the first post at the top of each page.
I absolutely abhor the fact that you've decided to make my recent files list the first thing displayed when I open Dropbox.
Really? Why would you think this is a good idea to FORCE this behavior on users?
If anybody picks up my tablet and opens Dropbox, every document I'm working on is in easy reach.
Unless this changes quickly, my best best is to set up an Owncloud install and switch over to it.
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.
Again - for iOS this seems to be the best way to "remove" an item from your recents list:
Rename the folder in which the file you accessed is housed. I guess the renaming process breaks the audit trail and the recently accessed file is thus cleared from the Recent list.
Stupid thing its doesn't have a disable recent files or at leaste a clear recent files list. Definitely canceling subscription. Nos just the one,but several i have.
Dropbox was THE GREATEST, but you had to ruin it on such an idiotic matter.
Good thinking, Mike C. : "it has become clear that the reason Dropbox devs have yet to address this easily fixable issue ... is because this so-called "feature" must have been the brainchild of some exec whose ego is too big to admit that they made a mistake.."
Recent files could be good function, but only when I can clear the list a when I can set what I will see first when the app started. I don't want to risk that anybody can see what files I used last.
It seems that dropbox doesn't care about what we as users think of this horrible feature. It's been more than six months since the firsts complaints. I am leaving and start making negative publicity around.
Wow! Definitely had more confidence in this product! Just reviewing this thread I can see an inovative and interesting piece of fluff added to the app now puts the entire tool at risk. I believe your customers are due a better answer than the disapointing rhetoric above.
Please please get yourvteam to remove Recent files
We all have named folders to place security information in them.
Dropbox is now exposing all our private files that are usually hidden in folders to any third party who may have an opportunity to look into my Dropbox.
We all joined Dropbox to have the security which is now at risk.
You will note I have already started deleting my files and place them with another storage provider.
I we are happy with the other storge provider we will be moving all our staff tonthat provider as well
I hope wevdont have to do that as we werevvery happy Dropbox users before Recent files was introduced.
Farrel
@All. Dropbox really does not care nor acknowledge the design errors we all address here. They rarely look at this forum and hire people to censor on their behalf.
Dropbox do not care at all about their user community and the proof is simple: Nothing will change.....
You are stuck with the recent files, the odd viewers and the silly file sharing (where the file is not shared but access granted).
Plan B is to migrate to box.net, onedrive, google drive or any other company with slightly more customer affinity.
I'm also looking to clear recently viewed files. For pivacy reasons I don't wish people to see what files I have in my Dropbox. I was sat on a train and had my iPad Pro on then realised the lady next to me could see the list and although only thumb nails it contained certain photos
Dropbox team. I have been a happy user for over 5 years along with the growth of your company strictly as a file sharing service. This 'recents' default page stinks of big brother. Why are deleted files appearing here? Why does the user not have control over his own documents? I've just been placed in a highly personal difficult situation by opening Dropbox on my chromecast in front of family expecting as usual to open to my folders page, only to have a list of VERY private notes on the decline of my very elderly mothers mental health I'd been keeping elsewhere on my device displayed for her to see on this recent files list! Also to find out that deleted files from elsewhere are displayed here, that I cannot clear the list, and that this is now the default opening page, and that I cannot change that either, is all wrong on so many levels. Dropbox used to be a safe place for the user to choose which files were placed in our Dropbox for our personal security and filesharing, along with one public folder. Where the user chose what and how to share files with who. I think you (Dropbox inc) has done too many deals with major telcos offering free cloud storage and the like, and is now actually preventing us, the end user, from censoring our own files and folders. Why retain and display files we have already deleted, and WHY prevent us from having control over this 'recents' list? You really have created a MAJOR personal drama for me, your customer, by displaying MY private and deleted files from elsewhere on my device to this 'recents' default landing page upon opening your application in a public setting (chromecast), and without my consent. Please reply to me as to why we do not have control over this recent files landing page. From reading the comments above, not only are you going to lose many customers over this, but you seem to have a reason in doing such as you have, that losing this custom seems not to be a primary issue for you. Again, could this be because you now come pre-installed on new phone contracts with major telcos on free cloud storage deals, so that you can censor the majority without caring for those of us who originally came to you for your initial file sharing capabilities? As you can tell, from one highly distressed former lover of Dropbox! I really hope to elicit a response! Why do you have primary control, and I have secondary control over MY personal property? My documents ARE my personal and private property aren't they? Or is there some new law, or revised clause where I no longer have sole ownership? I certainly no longer have sole control over my own phone.. I feel my documents have been hijacked by Dropbox! PLEASE reply!
Hi all, I completely agree with all the frustrations and have been voicing them myself on these discussion boards.
Please see below a link another thread to which a Dropboxer actually responded to complaints. You can view our exchange about the suggested changes to "Recents", improving the forum, and improving Help articles on their website:
There I also posted a temporary workaround to create a shortcut/widget that allows you to load directly into your chosen folder instead of Recents. While this does not solve the issue, it does bypass the Recents page so that you would only see Recents by specifically navigating to it.
Pasted below are the step-by-step instructions on how to create this shortcut which was sent to me as a reply from Dropbox support:
"Thank you for contacting Dropbox. My name is Anthony and I would be happy to assist you with changing the default screen that Dropbox opens to.
In our most recent update, Dropbox has changed what screen opens up by default.
When tapping the Dropbox icon, Dropbox will now open up to the Recents page first. This is working as intended, and cannot be modified by the user.
As a workaround, the Dropbox app offers the ability to create a home screen widget to any folder in your account, including the top-level Dropbox folder.
To create this shortcut:- Tap and hold an empty spot on the home screen (phones) or tap the All Apps icon on the home screen (tablets)- Tap “Widgets”- Tap and hold the “Dropbox Folder” widget, drag it to the desired location on your home screen, and release.- Upon releasing, you’ll be prompted to “Create shortcut to” the currently selected folder. If you wish to open a different folder, navigate to the preferred folder. Tapping the icon on the new widget will open up to the location that you choose in this step. - Tap the “Create Shortcut” button.
You can now use this new Dropbox folder icon on your home screen to bypass the Recents view upon opening the Dropbox app.
Thank you for this feedback! We are always looking for user input when creating the next version of the Dropbox app and I will make sure your comments are passed along to our development team."
Again, this is only a workaround and does not solve the inherent issues we've all strongly complained about. While Dropbox has now updated their Help page since I've made the suggestions, they still have not posted the workaround, only sending it to people when they submit support tickets. Seemingly they are reluctant to acknowledge their mistake. Perhaps devs are powerless to address this very simple issue if the Recents "feature" is being championed by one of their execs.
Having been told that whingeing on this forum wouldn't change things I took the advice to contact Dropbox and use their 'marketing-dislike' option and submitted my thoughts on the Recents fiasco. That was on 24th February and they did send me an acknowledgement but no workaround. It is now 9th March so we can expect an update to give us the option of keeping/removing Recents anytime soon.
Well, OK, maybe.
By the way, Box.net seems pretty good.
Hi All
The only reason I believe Dropbox have changed their system to Recent files Is to help them by forcing all of us to USE MORE SPACE quickly and hopfully we will buy more space. Hope not it would shch a SHAM...... Yes / No
The only reason I believe Dropbox have changed their system to Recent files first, Is to help them by forcing all of us to quickly USE MORE SPACE , then hopfully we will buy more space. "Hope not" it would shch a SHAM...... Yes / No
How, exactly, does forcing the Recents tab to display first force you to use more space?
Every file uses space... not as much as photos use
Farrel L., you clearly don't understand how 'Recents' works.
It just shows you the files that are on your Dropbox already, they would also be on there if there was no 'Recents' screen. So your comment is false.
That said, It's pretty unbelievable how Dropbox fails to listen to it's users and just keeps breaking stuff (awful Recents screen, no more notifications), which are not adressed in their new (beta) releases.
Agree 100% that dropbox on mobile should NOT open to 'recents' by default.
This is a totally absurd change and serves no purpose to me- only causes me to use extra steps every time I open dropbox. Make it optional? Sure. But don't force it on the apparent majority who do not want it.
I, too, have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated dropbox, recommending it enthusiastically to others and encouraging them to use it. It is the best of the best.
But this changes everything. May have to look at other options.
Dropbox: Any solution forthcoming on this issue?!
How is this not fixed yet.Either please refund my subscription so I can move to another service or allow this as an opt in feature.
Don't hold your breath for a fix yet. On previous advice to make myself heard I sent a query to the support team. I complained via a 'marketing-dislike' item, got an automatic acknowledgement but no indication if they were doing anything about the problem.
That was 15th February so I've pretty much given up. Shame as most of the alternatives have something I don't like about them.
I see absolutely no advantage or reason for this application and as others have said it adds another step to get to your files plus it's a real annoyance when you have privacy files pop up that you do not want others to see. It is senseless feature in my opinion
Dropbox is directing the threads of people wanting remove the recents list here. I don't want to clear the list, I want it gone. I don't like opening the app on my phone and finding every thing I've looked at or uploaded in the past week. Although it's amusing to check my teenage son's phone and see what he's been up to. Yes, I know a password fixes that, but it doesn't stop children from looking over my shoulder and seeing biology dissections. I try to turn off camera uploads before taking those pictures because right now I don't need to save them in Dropbox, but I might forget or need to upload them someday.
On the phone app, the recents list means I have to click extra times to get to the files I need. Some people might use the same files over and over and find it useful, I don't. Giving the end user a choice on the usefulness of this feature should be reasonable and I don't understand why it's taking so long to modify the code and release an update. The time frame on complaints and the fact Dropbox redirects people who don't want the list to the thread for people who want to remove files from it makes me feel they're not listening.
An option to show it as default v your normal folders list is all I ask.
Marie passes the message to the development team. Is there really someone on that team or has it been disbanded? This has been going on for much too long.
There should be an option for which folder we want opened when we log in. And deleting a file should remove it from the recent list. Otherwise, what's the use? So many privacy issues here.
Everybody make sure to give them a 1 star rating in the Play Store, maybe they will listen to their users then...
Further to my previous post, if you insist that the Recent folder is so important, then at the very least make it so when opening the Dropbox app, all folders are closed keeping everything private. That way if someone is standing beside you when opening the app, you can just click on the camera or other folder and that is what it shows. I know, "make a shortcut". Not acceptable.
Your company needs to respect its users privacy. If you don't want to get rid of the Recents folder, then at least don't have it open automatically. I know I am repeating myself however it doesn't seem that you listen the first time or listen at all to your customers.
1 star given in both app stores, suggest other users follow the same approach if they are unhappy
CRXed, Justin. That is a good plan.
Most companies aim at customer intimacy and operational excellence.
Dropbox is about customer avoidancy and operational ignorance.
Besides some interventions of their super user minions, you don't see or hear them here.
Dropbox don't care about their customers at all....
