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I can't delete a locked shared folder on my Mac device, which I've been removed by the owner

Hi, I have a shared folder in my mac dropbox that is locked by the person who shared it with me. Some time ago I asked him to remove me from the shared list which he did however I am unable to delete the folder from my dropbox app on my mac.

The folder is not in my dropbox online or on my iPhone or iPad, only on my MacBook. The file won't sync; consequently, the dropbox app won't upgrade or update. It is always trying to sync this locked folder. I've tried following the instructions on deleting a shared folder by holding the option key down while deleting from the finder but the option to delete is greyed out. Any help is greatly appreciated. If I can't get this resolved I'm ready to dump dropbox and move to another provider.

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Kimberly5111

Hi Nancy,

I removed myself from the shared folder a while ago and it does not show up in my browser version. However my desktop app shows it (the 2023_ folder in the screenshot). I have this "can't sync Dropbox account" pop-up that will not go away no matter how many times i restart my computer. its been on my screen for 2 weeks and gets in the way of working/zoom meetings/etc. You'll see in the screenshot that the icon at the top of the screen forever shows its updating and I can't click on anything. Lastly, I can't uninstall or update the app because it is open and will not close. Thanks for the help!

Screenshot 2024-05-24 at 10.16.20 AM.png

Jay

Hi @Kimberly5111, as you mentioned you sent this device to your IT team, is it possible that they installed (or reinstalled) the Dropbox desktop application with administrator privileges?

Kimberly5111

Update - I was able to use the code in the terminal and it worked. The pop up is cleared up and I was able to update the app. The locked folder is gone! Thanks for the help.

Megan

Fantastic news @Kimberly5111!

If you need something else, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help every step of the way.

lanefarin

Hi Nancy, the folder was shared with me which may or may not have been removed by the owner from my dropbox account that I am not aware. The owner passed away during the pandemic and the company is no longer in business. It was a folder for a business deal we did. It is only showing on my desktop, not on the web or phone app. There are no files in the folder and I have read only permissions. When I go to 'get info' it shows 'fetching' for the name for 'read & write' permissions. Folder was created in 2016 and hasn't been modified since October 2019. It's always trying to sync although it doesn't interfere with my other files sinking. However, I would just prefer to have this folder gone altogether. Can you help?

Megan

Hey @lanefarin, if you try to quit the app using these steps, and then -while the app is closed- try to delete it, does that work?

lanefarin

It did not. There is no option to delete in the dropdown. I tried dragging to trash and that didn't work either.

Jay

HI @lanefarin, are you using a company-managed device by any chance, or a personal machine?

lanefarin

Personal. Here's a screen shot of what shows in the drop down on that folder. Screen Shot 2024-05-29 at 5.30.40 PM.png Screen Shot 2024-05-29 at 5.28.59 PM.png

Nancy

Hey @lanefarin! Can you clarify what happens exactly if you try to move the folder to your Trash?

Also, if you go to this page, can you see the folder in the list along with any option to remove it from your Dropbox account?