You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
tjwhite
2 years agoNew member | Level 2
Can shared items be exported if downloads have been disabled?
Recently DropBox updated its settings and now even if you share a file through a link with "Disabled download" settings anyone with the link, and without a Dropbox account, can export this file to any other platform or download it to their device. Ive noticed this is specially easy when opening files on mobile (Attatchment 1).
Is there any way in which i can FULLY protect my files, preventing download/export in every way?
Ive noticed this happened since I get this messange under "Disable downloads" (Attatchment 2).
Sorry the picture is in spanish.
Hi tjwhite,
Thanks for getting in touch!
Let's get to the bottom of the message you noticed.
What the 'Disabled Downloads' restriction can do is stop the content from being downloaded directly from the link (the Download button will be grayed out and won’t be clickable on the website.)
Keep in mind that this doesn't prevent using other methods, such as taking a screenshot, or exporting into a third-party app or service.
Did you try adding a password to the link, too?
How about adding specific recipients by email, as members of a shared file (instead of a link)?
They can be set as "Can view", or "Can edit", and that way, you can be sure only those specific people can access the content while signed into their account on Dropbox.
Let me know if that helps!
- Calvin2DBXDropbox Staff
Hi tjwhite,
Thanks for getting in touch!
Let's get to the bottom of the message you noticed.
What the 'Disabled Downloads' restriction can do is stop the content from being downloaded directly from the link (the Download button will be grayed out and won’t be clickable on the website.)
Keep in mind that this doesn't prevent using other methods, such as taking a screenshot, or exporting into a third-party app or service.
Did you try adding a password to the link, too?
How about adding specific recipients by email, as members of a shared file (instead of a link)?
They can be set as "Can view", or "Can edit", and that way, you can be sure only those specific people can access the content while signed into their account on Dropbox.
Let me know if that helps!
- tjwhiteNew member | Level 2
Oh! Thanks a lot for the info. I will use the other security meassures you mention too when sharing my files (Password and sharing to specific emails).
Thanks again!
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!