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Forum Discussion
My public links are no longer working
All my public links are suddenly not working. I noticed that the previously copied link URL that I've given to people to access the file had "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com" as the first part of the url name. But now when I am copying the link, the first part of the url name is "https://www.dropbox.com"
I assume this is the issue, but why did this change?
I also noticed the selection option in the dropdown menu that appears when I right click on the file in my Public dropbox folder to be able to copy it has changed. It no longer has the dropbox symbol to the left and says "Copy dropbox link" whereas before I believe it said "Share dropbox link." And above that option, there is something with the dropbox symbol next to it that says "Share..." (that wasn't there before) and gives the option of entering an email address to send it to, or copying the link (also with the beginning url as ""https://www.dropbox.com"
Now not only do I have to recopy the URL's for all my active clients' files that they need to get to, but ALL the numerous "permanent files" that I have stored in Dropbox to access as clickable links on my several websites, in blog posts and online articles, in documents that people have downloaded, in my autoresponders are NOT WORKING. There's no way I can find and replace them all. What is going on?!!
Hey hypnocoach,
Thanks for getting in touch here!
Please note that public links will no longer function as of March 15, 2017 for Basic users and on September 1, 2017 for Plus and Dropbox for Business users. You can find more information here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/16.
Hope this helps you clarify! If there's anything else you need to ask, please let me know.
Kind regards,
JaneA
- Jane
Dropbox Staff
Hey hypnocoach,
Thanks for getting in touch here!
Please note that public links will no longer function as of March 15, 2017 for Basic users and on September 1, 2017 for Plus and Dropbox for Business users. You can find more information here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/16.
Hope this helps you clarify! If there's anything else you need to ask, please let me know.
Kind regards,
JaneA
This doesn't address the problem at hand - broken links. I did get the emails stating that the public folder was "going away" and I do understand how to create a shared link.
The problem is with links that people, like myself, had already created using the Public folder that are now DEAD. One of the things that I used to use the Public folder for was an "electronic luggage tag." I have metal tags on ALL of my bags, and my family's bags, with a printed QR code, with the link to our contact info on a pdf, in the Public folder.
Now that the folder is no more and the URLs for shared files have changed, all of those luggage tags are USELESS. I now have to print out and make new tags for each and every bag. The whole point in using a QR code was that I could change the contact info and update the file on Dropbox - if I moved I would never have to change the physical luggage tags, just the file.
Don't think that I'll be doing that with a shared link to Dropbox. I'd rather put the luggage contact info on Google Drive. I have more faith that Google won't break my link once created.
The simple solution here is for Dropbox to re-direct existing (previous) links to files that were in user's Public folder, so that those links still work. What are the chances that Dropbox will do the right thing and help people out?
- Mark
Super User II
My honest opinion? They wont redirect to other sites - or they would have offered that already.
I'd also, personally say, once bitten twice shy so maybe think twice about putting them on Google - as they have removed services previously. Maybe put things on your own domain/link for a few bucks a year?
I use two paid Dropbox accounts to store audio files for my web site. I have created thousands of links from the two Public folders to my website. All of my existing links have stopped working after, 1 September 2017. Now all of a sudden people cannot download or listen to the audio from my web site. This is a very major issue. I am now aware that Dropbox has stopped sharing the links even in paid accounts after the 01 September 2017.
So far I haven't received replies to my requests from the Dropbox Support.
I don't want to create new links to thousands of the audio files. Besides that will not help regarding the links already sent out to my clients through Newsletters, as those are the old existing links.
Could Dropbox kindly re-activate the existing links?
- MarkHi manathungearun1 - no they wont reactivate them. The service is no longer available as was advised in Sept. 2016 that it would be removed. As of 1st Sept. those links are no longer working. This is for everybody.
You need to find another solution now I'm afraid.
To track your ticket, however, you can do so at http://dropbox.zendesk.com - but I'm afraid the answer will be the same.
amitsinha - use the new sharing features at www.dropbox.com/help/167
Also. To keep things central I'm closing this thread. Please read and post follow ups, if necessary over at https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Sharing-and-collaboration/Ending-support-of-public-folder/m-p/197906#M11718
Ironically, your link gives me a 404 error!
Why didn't I know this was going to occur?!
Time to say adios to you, Dropbox!
hypnocoach wrote:Ironically, your link gives me a 404 error!
Why didn't I know this was going to occur?!
Why has the public folder functionality permanently stopped for basic Dropbox users ?
- Rich
olivier w.1 wrote:
Why has the public folder functionality permanently stopped for basic Dropbox users ?
It's permanently stopping for all users. Basic first (which has already happened) and in September for Plus accounts. It's a deprecated feature, having been replaced by Share Links in October of 2012.
So apparently DropBox is ahead of schedule with disabling this functionality for PAYING users as well. As of 45 minutes ago, ALL of my Public files and existing Links are now broken. All the links are still intact and correct, but no HTML page will display content from my 'Public/Shared' folder.
I am a paying Plus subscriber, and have paid almost $200 for this "sharing" service (as you so aptly title it, Rich) and now I have been forced to find an immediate alternative to accomplish what DropBox should be doing until September (as a Plus subscriber).
I truly hope your company loses a ton of high-paying Clients over this ordeal; what used to be an intuitive and user-friendly product has turned into nothing more than finger pointing game of who should be hosting this or that, whose bandwidth is supplying the content, yada-yada-yada.
