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Forum Discussion
My laptop was stolen - what can I do?
My laptop was stolen and there's information on it stored locally in Dropbox. I read with interest that you can do a Remote wipe i.e Clear files from lost or stolen devices to keep company files in the right hands. I didn't have the Business Dropbox version on the laptop at the time, I have signed up now for Business Dropbox but I'm wondering if I can still do a remote wipe
I have already unlinked the device but didn't see any option to do a remote wipe, does this mean I cant do a remote wipe.
If anyone can respond to me as soon as possible or has any suggestions I'd really be most grateful.
I have already unlinked the device but didn't see any option to do a remote wipe, does this mean I cant do a remote wipe.
Yes, As soon as you unlink it there is now way of removing data off the device - remote wipe is only available to Pro and Business users and so only those users see it when they unlink.
Alexis G.1Super User
I really sorry for your lost.
This is why is important to Encrypt the HDD or SSD in laptops by using the built-in Bitlocker feature in Windows.
- Mark
Super User II
I have already unlinked the device but didn't see any option to do a remote wipe, does this mean I cant do a remote wipe.
Yes, As soon as you unlink it there is now way of removing data off the device - remote wipe is only available to Pro and Business users and so only those users see it when they unlink.
Mark thanks so much for your reply.
Do you know if theres anything that Dropbox Support team can do
- Please can u help 🙏
- Mark
No, theres nothing I'm afraid.
By unlinking it the device has no connection at all back to Dropbox. Its only possible to relink to Dropbox now via the device itself.
ok, thanks anyway, I appreciate your help
My laptop has been stolen. I am a Pro user, so I followed the stipulated procedure to remote wipe the Dropbox folder from a device. Unfortunately, in the case of this device, I did not tick the box "Delete files from [Dropbox account name] the next time this computer comes online" before clicking unlink. Now the device has been unlinked, can I still delete all files?
Also, can I remotely delete the app from my stolen laptop?
- Mark
Sorry for your loss.
However, as has been said I'm afraid not Stephanie. Dropbox now has no connection at all to this device. Once a device is unlinked you need the physical device in your presence to reconnect it
Thank you Marc. As a precaution, after my laptop was stolen, I logged on to Dropbox over the internet using another machine, downloaded all of my files onto an external hard drive, and then deleted them all from Dropbox. I have now obtained another machine, and want to start using Dropbox again -- the desktop app. But before dropping files in there again, I am worried that the thief will be able to access them. I did change my password, but if the desktop app is still running on that machine, won't files that I drop into Dropbox be visible there as well?
I thought of deleting my dropbox account -- which is now empty of all files -- and creating a new one. But I don't know if that is advisable.
- Robert S.
Super User alumni
I thought of deleting my dropbox account... and creating a new one.
There's no need to do that.
Head across to https://www.dropbox.com/account#security find the stolen device in the list and unlink it.
