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finsnlinit's avatar
finsnlinit
New member | Level 2
8 years ago

Deleted Files won't stay deleted

I have a folder that I delete but keeps coming back. I delete it and then try to permanently delete it. When I do that, I get an error that the files can't be permanently deleted because they are sti...
Delete
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  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    8 years ago

    If a file or folder returns when you delete it, it's because it was unable to be deleted on one of your connected devices.

    You delete a file on computer A. Dropbox is informed that it has been deleted and syncs that change to your account. Dropbox on your other devices is notified that the file has been deleted, so they also remove the file. On computer B, Dropbox is unable to remove that file for whatever reason (permission, locked, read-only, etc.). The result is that the file remains in place. Dropbox sees the file is still there, thinks it's been added and uploads it back to your account. All your other devices are notified of the "new" file and they sync it back down.

    So the problem is likely that the file or folder in question on one of your devices is unable to be deleted. Figure out which (use Previous Versions to see which computer is adding it back) and fix what is holding it there, and you should be able to delete it.

  • Sanchez's avatar
    Sanchez
    8 years ago
    Hey SaraAmies, welcome to our community! 

    Can you tell me where/how you’re deleting your files? Let me know and we’ll go from there. 
     
    Thanks! 
pkiula's avatar
pkiula
New member | Level 2

Same issue. Instead of creating a new thread, I'll ask here. Why is the deletion process so knuckle-headed in Dropbox? Folders aren't getting deleted, even after I go in and "delete permanently". They keep showing in the listing of files while Drobox shows the nag-message at the top about upgrading. Photos cannot be deleted either, there's no way to mass-delete them. What a stupid, stupid, stupid. I'd just like to delete everything and have a clean account in case someone needs to share a folder/file with me and is still using this archaic solution. Please help -- how should I delete mu files, folders, everything shared, all photos, etc. (This is a 1 second process in Google Drive.) 

 

PS: I don't have dropbox on any device anymore. Only in browser. 

 

Thank you! 

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