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Forum Discussion

LynnMGallagher's avatar
LynnMGallagher
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago

How do I delete files from Dropbox without deleting them from my computer and other devices?

I do not use Dropbox for backup storage; I use a different service for that.  But friends and fellow students sometimes want to share files in Dropbox, so I set up a free account.  Somehow, I don't k...
Delete
deleting
Dropbox Basic
FAQ
Sync and upload
  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    6 years ago
    Hey peeps! 
     
    So I think there may have been some confusion here DG123. If you made a copy of the music folder into your Dropbox folder, then when you deleted the files from your account, you are right that the Dropbox folder copy will have been removed. The original folder will not have been affected at all as it has no connection to Dropbox.
     
    However, if the music folder was moved into the Dropbox folder and then the files deleted then you essentially moved the original copy and then deleted it. 
     
    If you no longer have the music folder on your desktop, then I can suggest you restore the folder from your Deleted files page. Then, allow the folder to sync to your desktop and then move the newly synced music folder out of the Dropbox folder onto your desktop.  
        
    Also, keenum_law, sorry for the tardy reply, I'm hoping that at least answering your question will help others with the same query!
     
    In this case, you can copy the content from the Dropbox folder and paste it in another location. If you remove the files from your account then, as it is shared, it will remove the files from the other connected Dropbox accounts. However, if their files are also saved on their devices, then these will not be affected by the copied being removed from their Dropbox.
     
    Let me know if you have any other questions - Thanks!
Anna456's avatar
Anna456
Helpful | Level 5

I have never had a reply from the Community on this. Tommarinotax, you are in the same position as myself, it seems. We want control over Dropbox and we do not want Dropbox to control ANY of our devices. We are hoping to get a reply from the Community, from someone who understands this dilemma. It is possible I have totally misunderstood the functions of Dropbox. If so, what I am looking for is:  (a) Some way of moving a very limited number of files onto a Cyberspace area which I can access from my ipad or iphone when I am out of the office without my laptop; (b) I need to be able to delete these files I've temporarily put onto Dropbox when I want to eg. a week later when I have other priorities for the iPad and iPhone. 

tommarinotax's avatar
tommarinotax
Explorer | Level 3
5 years ago

Yes, it's possible i have misunderstood as well, what is the function of dropbox.  It weems very different from a few years ago when i could store files in dropbox and there was no connection to or control over my PC.  Google drive seems to fill the bill though i'm not totally satisfied with the user interface.  Google drive also provides 15GB in the free account.

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