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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...
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  • 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!
LynnMGallagher's avatar
LynnMGallagher
Helpful | Level 5

Thank you so much.  I'll give that a try.

keenum_law's avatar
keenum_law
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

Like the other person, I only use this Dropbox account to backup photos/videos and then remove them to another safe place.  This message that it will delete the files from ALL DEVICES is new and scares me!  I have linked my boss and his wife's cell phones and both their iPads.  I do NOT want to delete the files on their devices!!  I simply want to take their cloud files out of Dropbox and move them to somewhere else...safely backed up.  What can I do to INSURE that I'm not deleting their files from their phones/iPads??

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