We're making changes to the Community, so you may have received some notifications - thanks for your patience and welcome back. Learn more here.
Forum Discussion
Richard F.27
8 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Dropbox Public Folder
I understand that the current sharing functionality of the Public folder will change on or about March 15, 2017; my question is: will the NAME of the Public folder change on or about March 15, or will it still be called Public?
- It will still be called Public, however, all links within it will cease to work.
- MarkSuper User IIIt will still be called Public, however, all links within it will cease to work.
- SouthyNew member | Level 2
Hi
I currently use the Public folder a lot for putting information in there so all can see, I link people to it so they can read this information....
I gather Public Folder is going off line as of Sept 2017.... What do I use instead?
Regards
Southy
- RichSuper User II
Southy wrote:
I gather Public Folder is going off line as of Sept 2017.... What do I use instead?
Share links replaced the Public folder functionality several years ago.
- FireMapperNew member | Level 2
I work in Public Safety with many different agencies. I have used the public folder to share files without much input from the user. A QR code was issued during an incident and daily maps were placed in this folder for the user to retrieve. Will this function still exist?
- chradraNew member | Level 2
I have problem. My public folder can not share to all people. Earth logo on folder disappear. I have to fix this? // Thank you
- MarkSuper User IIYou cant.
The Public folder has been depreciated for free users now: https://www.dropbox.com/help/16- anonymousDeprecated?? It's the thousands of users of forums and other internet sites that are deprecating Dropbox when they try to look at a diagram like this:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/54783344/pertronix%20mod%20with%20switchgear%20bypass.jpg
By the way:
In general English usage, the infinitive "to deprecate" means "to express disapproval of (something)". It derives from the Latin verb deprecare, meaning "to ward off (a disaster) by prayer". In current usage, for one to state that a feature is deprecated is merely a recommendation against using it.
- jigarmeNew member | Level 2This is a **bleep**ty situation, taken at the worst time Dropbox could. Thought of implications whoever made the decision? Onedrive suddenly got lot more business and they are probably still thinking why!
- itztwinNew member | Level 2
Hi I just made this account and have a file of photos i want to make public. Ive heard free accounts cant do that anymore. I dont have the money to make a pro account so is there any other way i can make it public. i dont want to have to send these photos to the 100+ people that want to see these photos. please help. thanks!
- RichSuper User II
The Public Folder feature is being removed for all accounts, not just Basic/Free, but it is an old feature that was replaced long ago. The new method is to use a Share Link to the file or folder that you wish to share.
- randy a.4New member | Level 2
i hate you!
put it back the way it was
- grainnelandoNew member | Level 2
I want to make a folder public and apparently have to drag it to the Public folder in order to do this. However, I can't see the Public folder. Where is it? I'm a Drobox Plus user so should still have the Public folder. Thanks
- MarkSuper User IIYou shouldnt I'm afraid - the Public folder was sunsetted a long time ago.
To make a folder publicly shared follow www.dropbox.com/help/167
- bluseycatNew member | Level 2
I don't understand exactly what's happening on September 1 when the Public Folder ends. I understand that material in the folder will stay there, but how will I access afterwards and how will people I have shared with access the materials? Will I have to redo all the sharing links in my dropbox? I've shared a lot of stuff with people by creating individual folders for each of them. How do I continue those collaborations? New links emailed for every file and folder or is there some other way? I am so confused. I pay for a 2T account (I think). Thank you.
- billmoreeNew member | Level 2
I love Dropbox and it is critical to my business.
But you keep writing "Share Link, which replaced the Public folder functionality in 2012 (with emphasis)."
Maybe it "replaced" Public Folders in your mind, but if people aren't using "Shared Links" (whatever that is) and we've been using Public folders this whole time, then they haven't really replaced anything, have they?
If you could explain WHY you are removing Public folders, maybe I can get my head around this.
I have been a Pro/Premium user (with Ratpack) since 2011, and Public folders is the only Dropbox function that I use. THAT is what Dropbox is, in my mind.
I think that you may have gotten out ahead of your customers here, and haven't communicated what and why you are doing this.- zmtigerExplorer | Level 3
I am just another user, but I'll have a go at this.
In the beginning you could not share folders with other users or non-users. Only create links to individual files to share. For me this was a big limitation. As a work around a DropBox user could place many files in the Public folder. The Public folder could be shared. For me this was handy for sharing photos and videos to friends and family. But I had a file system for my photos that was outside the Public Folder. So I had two sets of data.
Later the option was created to allow for the sharing (creating a link) to any folder in your DropBox. For some users this solved things. Others may not have noticed because they were using a workflow revolving around the Public Folder.
I use the links to folders now. But I do share an HTML text/markdown file with my client that uses the Shared Folder. I am now on the hunt for a easy place to share this list. I don't think that it will render the same using a DropBox shared link.
Hopefully this will help explain the how. We'll all have to wait for an official reason why this change is necessary.
- MarkSuper User IIYou wont get an official reason I'm afraid.
The only thing we know is its going and this is the date its happening.
Also, to keep everything in one place I'm closing this thread (if I merge the formatting will go odd) but would ask further comments etc. go to the larger one on the issue: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Sharing-and-collaboration/Ending-support-of-public-folder/m-p/197906#M11718
There are also some possible work arounds there.
- hungxd2992Helpful | Level 6I know on September 1 that the public folder will be out of operation, but I have some very important links shared from the public directory, let me ask until September 1 the links in my public directory valid for everyone? Thanks.
- MarkSuper User IIYes.
Until the 1st of Sept. they are valid and will work.
From that date on, however, anybody who clicks on them will get an error.
Also, to keep everything in one place I'm closing this thread (if I merge the formatting will go odd) but would ask further comments etc. go to the larger one on the issue: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Sharing-and-collaboration/Ending-support-of-public-folder/m-p/197906...
There are also some possible work arounds there if you need it.
- emanuensisNew member | Level 2
HUMBUG!
i would guess this msg is a "no-reply" because they did not want to get an earful.They took away HTML interpretation, then they took away the PUBLIC folder, now they are removing permanence. Is there ANY utility left, in the ?service?
--
"from Dropbox <no-reply@dropbox.com>
Hi...
Welcome back to Dropbox! We're emailing to let you know that your account under ... is safe and marked as active...
Happy syncing!
- The Dropbox Team"
About Create, upload, and share
Find help to solve issues with creating, uploading, and sharing files and folders in Dropbox. Get support and advice from the Dropbox Community.
Need more support
If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.
For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.
If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!