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I'm getting a message about my files being online-only when they're all available offline. Why?

Device
Windows desktop PC
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
Windows 10
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
235.4.5905
Dropbox Plan Plus
Plus

Question or Issue

Why am I getting this message?
"Deleting an online-only folder permanently removes it from your PC. If you
need the folder later, check your Drogbox recvcle bin."

ALL my hundreds of folders in C:\Users\Terry\Dropbox\ are configured to be OFFLINE.

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Walter

Hey @Terry P. - thanks for posting on our Community!

Can you please send us a screenshot of the message you get and make sure to include the folder's syncing icon as well?

Thank you!

Terry P.

Here's a screenshot, but it doesn't tell you any more than its text I gave you.

As far as I can recall, the folder had the usual icon, as shown here:

Walter

Thanks for the screenshot @Terry P. - much appreciated.

Can you right click on the folder and try selecting the 'make available offline' option before trying to delete it?

Terry P.

Did you read this in my opening post?

"ALL my hundreds of folders in C:\Users\Terry\Dropbox\ are configured to be OFFLINE."

I don't remember even if I did right-click that particular subfolder at the time. Nor sure why I should I have needed to? Obviously the lengthy context menu now looks like like all the others. The only relevant entry shows the option to make it online only.

Walter

I see, thanks for the clarification and the screenshot too @Terry P.

Does this happen with all of your folders when trying to delete them or just a particular one?

As a test, can you make one online-only and then available offline again and try to see if you still get the same results?

Terry P.

Please pass to one of your technical team. I think my original question was surely clear enough, especially as I've raised similar questions before over the last decade or two.

Summarising the key points again:
1. I'm a regular user of Dropbox on a Windows PC desktop and iPhone. So it would be helpful if a similar member of the Dropbox Support team - there must surely be many? - could deal with my queries. Wouldn't that be more productive for both Dropbox and the user?

2. All of my files are designated off-line. My expectation is that, in return for your significant annual charge,. I should always therefore be able to open a folder or file that has not changed (for say at least a matter of hours). Please tell me if that is a misunderstanding on my part, and advise what I should expect. And if it is different for PC versus iPhone, please explain in what way(s).

3. Occasionally - such as the example that prompted my initial query a week ago - I get messages that imply that offline status is not recognised, or even been switched explicitly to online. Other more frequent but related examples report that the file is queued, (or in a folder that is). Or that has too many files (when it clearly has only one or two), etc. Or - and this is the most frequent frustration - will not open promptly.

Walter

As a matter of fact, I gave this a go on my own device too but I'm not getting the same results as you, hence my questions @Terry P. Since we don't have account visibility on the Community, we always need to clarify the issue to make sure we're on the same page.

When it comes to your 2nd point, can you please forward me a screenshot of the sync icons on the files of a sample folder showing this behavior?

Alternatively, I'd be happy to open a ticket for you if you'd like us to investigate this further internally.

Keep me posted anyhow!

Terry P.

Yes please open a ticket. On the next occasion(s) I get any of the behaviour I described I'll report details, from either PC or iPhone.

Arfe these not common issues with other users? Your reply tends to imply not.

Walter

If they were common, we'd have more reports about this in the Community @Terry P.

In any case, I've just sent you an email to have a better look into this, so please take a glance at your inbox and we'll take it from there.