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Forum Discussion
Many files not in cloud after removing & deleting client from former company's laptop
Hi this may be a popular question... I was using the free version of Dropbox to back up content from a few years back...work related stuff from a long-ago job. Nothing proprietary, but important ...
From what you've described, it isn't possible that the files were on the Dropbox site since there is no recent deletion or event history to show that the files were there.
If you're not seeing the missing files on the deleted files page, then there's a few possibilities as to why this might be the case:
- The files are on another Dropbox account
- They were on a shared folder you don't have access to any more
- The files were deleted outside of the 30 day period, and not two weeks ago
- The files were permanently deleted
This might be a common query...
I was backing up documents from a few years ago—work-related materials from a long-ago job—using Dropbox's free version. Nothing confidential, but it is significant to me. Unless I unintentionally erased them forever, I assume Dropbox has a backup copy of them if this is a typical issue.
How can I find out if it's feasible to recover the lost files?
Sequence of events and thus far ineffective tactics:
I removed everything (all) of the Dropbox client's content from my work computer nine weeks ago when I left my previous position, and I then uninstalled the app. Before and after this, I made sure that all files remained in the Dropbox cloud version.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi AnitaNixon, on the free plan, files can be recovered 30 days after their deletion from the site. If an account is deleted instead, then the files are deleted permanently.
When you say the files remained on the cloud, are they still visible when you login to the site?
- Same exact thing happened to my files
When we deleted files from the local client on the work computer, the client synched with the cloud backup and deleted some (but oddly, not all) of the files. After that sync, your files will be “permanently” deleted and not listed in the deleted folder in the cloud interface.
Absolutely weird, and irreversible sadly, but only because Dropbox has zero appetite to dedicate customer service minutes to recover deleted data for free version users.- Hannah
Hey TobyBaz, files can only be permanently deleted from Dropbox, if someone manually does that, using our website.
If you delete files from a computer that is linked to a Dropbox account, the files will indeed get deleted, but will still be recoverable.
If it's been less than 30 days since the deletion, you should be able to locate and recover them from your deleted files page.
