What happens when I delete a file from my Dropbox account? (2024)

FAQs

What happens if you delete a file from Dropbox? ›

Deleting the original file from your Dropbox account automatically removes it, and any associated metadata and analytics, from Send and track as well. Restoring the original file restores the Send and track file and its data.

Deleted files don't count against your storage quota, so permanently deleting them won't free up space. If other Dropbox users have a copy of the files that you permanently delete, their copies won't be deleted.

Dropbox keeps your deleted files and edits for up to 180 days, depending on your plan. How do I see file history on Dropbox? Dropbox stores previous versions of your file for up to 180 days depending on your plan. Note: your file history doesn't count toward your storage quota.

When you delete a file, the operating system marks the area where that data resides on the hard drive disk (HDD) as available, and logistically removes it from the file tree structure. The magnetic data still resides on the disk, but the pathway to accessing the data has been removed from the operating system.

Your account and file data will be deleted. Your files and folders will stop syncing on all devices. Content synced to your computer will stay there, but will no longer sync.

After you delete a file, anyone you've shared the file with loses access to it. If you want others to retain access to the file, you can transfer ownership to someone else before deletion.

Selective sync is a feature in the Dropbox desktop app that allows you to remove specific Dropbox folders from your hard drive so you can save space on your computer. The folders you choose to remove from your hard drive remain stored in your account on dropbox.com.

Click on the trash can icon at the top of the screen (it says “Show delete files” if you hover over it) The file you just deleted will reappear in the list, but it will be greyed out. Right-click on it again, and select Permanently Delete.

Does Dropbox automatically delete files? ›

Does Dropbox delete files after inactivity? Your account will be automatically closed and your files will be deleted 90 days after you reach 12 months of inactivity.

Download your files

You will lose access to your files once you delete your account, so download them first! If you have a Dropbox folder that syncs with the cloud, you can simply go to that folder and copy the files you want to keep to your hard drive.

You can only delete a file or folder if you own it. If you're not an admin of a business team and other Dropbox users have a copy of the folder that you permanently delete, their copies won't be deleted. So unless you're the admin of a Dropbox team or the person who has uploaded the file or folder, you can't delete it.

Sometimes the file's data remains intact after it's been deleted, but sometimes it is broken into smaller pieces. If a user tries to recover a file after significant time has passed, they may only be able to recover fragments of the original instead of the whole file.

The data remains on your hard drive until it's overwritten by new data. This means that someone with access to your device could potentially recover deleted data using data recovery software. Data recovery software works by scanning your hard drive for data that has been marked as deleted but not yet overwritten.

Deleting a file from Send and track is permanent, and any associated metadata or data analytics can't be recovered once the file is deleted.

You can permanently delete a file from your Dropbox account. Permanently deleted files can't be recovered or restored during your recovery period.