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What does the "Delete from your Dropbox account and all devices" message mean?

Using the macOS desktop app.

I'm deleting files from Dropbox via Finder like I do in non-Dropbox folders.

Please explain what it's asking simply, I do not understand and do not want to do something that I don't want it to do like finding the file on my hard drive and deleting it in a different non-Dropbox folder (which is what it sounds like to me but doesn't really make sense).

Thank you.

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Megan

Hey there, @anotherprofile, I'd be happy to answer that!

The message you're seeing means that if you choose to delete the folder or file, it will delete the content from your local Dropbox folder, and any other connected devices that you have the desktop app and mobile app installed. The content will be removed only from inside the apps.

If you have the folder copied in any other location outside of the Dropbox folder, that copy won't be deleted as it's not syncing to your account.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

anotherprofile

Thank you for the explanation!

That's how I expect it to act because it is a cloud service so device doesn't matter – it's a cloud, not a per-device or local storage. Just a "portal" to Dropbox servers. So I guess it is just reminding me of what Dropbox is...strange.

anotherprofile

I have another question: different variation above. I want to delete it (for me and everyone... which is what I always want to do in this situation).

Which option to choose to completely delete it everywhere on Dropbox (for me and for anyone else, I don't need the file and don't want it taking up space in my account). Also: I clicked "see members" to see if that would clarify and...nothing happened at all. Not user friendly at all.

Rich

anotherprofile wrote:
it's a cloud, not a per-device or local storage. Just a "portal" to Dropbox servers.

That's not accurate. The Dropbox folder on your computer is an actual folder on your local drive. Anything stored in the folder exists on your local storage, and any changes you make in the folder sync to the local folder on all other devices that are linked to your account.

This is why you receive that message. It's making sure you understand that deleting a file from your local Dropbox folder will delete it from the Dropbox folder on all other devices linked to your account.

anotherprofile wrote:
Which option to choose to completely delete it everywhere on Dropbox (for me and for anyone else, I don't need the file and don't want it taking up space in my account)

You appear to be deleting a shared folder. Doing so temporarily removes it from your account. It has no effect on any other members. They keep their access. If you want to permanently remove it (again, only from your account) you need to remove your access to the folder.

If you're the owner of the shared folder and you want to remove it for every member, you need to unshare the folder.

Theresa

Hi @anotherprofile and welcome back to the Dropbox Community - it's great to have you here. I am glad to see your first question about deleting files was answered and great to hear that everything is much clearer now.

By the way, I’m Theresa 👩‍💻, one of the community managers here at Dropbox HQ. Since you’ve been digging into how file deletion works, I’d love to know… how do you usually use Dropbox? I’m always curious how people fit Dropbox into their day-to-day.

Looking forward to hearing more,

T 😺 (Dropbox Community Manager)

anotherprofile

Hi could you please answer my question? Thank you.

Rich

anotherprofile wrote:
Hi could you please answer my question?

If you're referring to the question about deleting it for you and anyone else as well, I responded about 35 minutes after you asked. You can see the response above, or by clicking this link.

anotherprofile

Thank you, I didn't see it above until you posted this.

I appreciate the explanation however I do not understand the shared folder aspect.

I created the folder to share some preliminary files with someone to get feedback for a final product. I never use the shared features because I always find that it complicates things not just with Dropbox but with all sorts of apps. Instead I just copied the link of the folder and pasted it for them but I did notice the folder had the shared icon on it instead of the normal plain folder icon and wondered why it looked like that.

How did it become a "shared folder" if I didn't specifically make it one? If I delete files I no longer want my client to have access to via the way I was doing so above, are you saying the folder will still exist on their end until they decide to delete it? If so, how do I turn this off? I just want to work with normal folders and have full control of them when I delete them which is what I've thought it's always done in this situation.

Rich

anotherprofile wrote:
How did it become a "shared folder" if I didn't specifically make it one?

A folder can't become shared on its own. If it has the share icon, then you either invited someone to the folder and you're the owner, or it's a folder that you were invited to by someone else and they're the owner. Creating a link to a folder, regardless of whether it's a view-only or edit link, doesn't change the icon of the folder.

anotherprofile wrote:
If I delete files I no longer want my client to have access to via the way I was doing so above, are you saying the folder will still exist on their end until they decide to delete it?

If it's a shared folder and you simply delete the folder from your account, you're not unsharing it or removing anyone elses access. You're just removing your own access temporarily. Any other member will still have access to the folder.

If you own the folder and you don't want anyone else to have access, you need to unshare the folder. Unsharing a folder turns it back to a regular folder.

anotherprofile

Thank you for the response.

I created a folder like I always do and then copied the URL by right clicking the folder and then pasting that link in a text message to them. I did not create a shared folder, it just was one. I do not understand why the application has changed its behavior. I've been using Dropbox since the late 2000s and this isn't normal app behavior.

Mark

anotherprofile wrote:
I created a folder like I always do and then copied the URL by right clicking the folder and then pasting that link in a text message to them

That doesnt work and never ever has done. Because that folder URL (i.e. it will be something like 'www.Dropbox.com/My Work/Reports' is specific to your own account. Thats why they are being asked to log in because its assuming they are on the wrong account.

To send a shared link to a file (or folder) you need to follow this: https://help.dropbox.com/share/create-and-share-link