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Forum Discussion
A folder that won't delete
I have a "ghost" folder which keeps re-appearing no matter how many times it is deleted. Any clues?
Hey, is the folder you are trying to delete empty or does it contain any files? Usually this happens because a piece of software on a computer that the folder is shared on is trying to access it, and is recreating it when someone else deletes it.
If there is a file in there, looking at the 'previous versions' will tell you which machine the culprit is. If you don't have a file in there, add a test one, delete the folder again and when it reappears, you'll be able to solve the mystery! Deleting the folder on the rogue machine will fix it permanently.
OrlaDropbox Staff
Hey, is the folder you are trying to delete empty or does it contain any files? Usually this happens because a piece of software on a computer that the folder is shared on is trying to access it, and is recreating it when someone else deletes it.
If there is a file in there, looking at the 'previous versions' will tell you which machine the culprit is. If you don't have a file in there, add a test one, delete the folder again and when it reappears, you'll be able to solve the mystery! Deleting the folder on the rogue machine will fix it permanently.i have at least a hundred empty folders in my bookmarks and the Bookmarks whole folder is bouncing as tho it is unfolding then folding up again. when i try to delete a folder it actally adds one.,,,HELP!
[This thread is now closed by moderators due to inactivity. If you're experiencing a similar behavior, feel free to start a new discussion in the Ask a Question section here.]
hey, where is the folder - is it in your top-level directory? and where are you deleting it, on web or on the desktop client?
Can I also add that I have previously been able to delete other folders, within this same main folder, without unsharing ... so not sure what is so special about this one! Our dropbox went haywire the other day and created doubles of folders, that didn't match. Very frustrating.
Thanks for your reply. I have tried both. Desktop and web. It will delete but then almost immediately re-appears.
Hmm, so is it right at the top? Right when you open your Dropbox? Or is it a folder within a folder?
Also, if you are a Dropbox for Business customer, you might want to check to make sure that the folder isn't a "team folder" i.e. something that is shared with everyone in your team. I don't think you can delete that.Sorry, yes it's a folder within a folder. And we are a business customer. We don't use team folders but the main folder that this folder is filed under, is "shared" ... should I try unsharing the main folder, then try and delete?
Nope ... I posted the original query and none of their suggestions deleted the folder. It is still there. I still can't see why someone from "Dropbox" can't access it and delete it, when they can see everything else that is going on.
SOLVED: Just had a persistant set of three folders that kept re-appearing after deleting locally (on my linux machine).
I "Launched the Dropbox website" and after a while - not the first look in the folder! - I found a single file - with a very long file name.
(The names were file names I had chosen).
Once I saw these, deleted each file, then deleted the directorys one by one.
Virtually straight away the locally synced versions disapeered off my linux machine :-)Solved.
I just posted a ticket to support. But, I believe I fixed my own issue.
I have a folder shared with just over a dozen other people. We had a resilient "Dec 6 pm" folder that wouldn't delete. I could remove it from a web browser, from the desktop client, or within folder on both PC & Mac. I even tried deleting it with my mobile app on iPhone and iPads. Nothing.
In re-reading the thread a few considerations - rogue machines & a glitch with file recovery technology.
Holly's post gave me the idea, except you can't right click and view "previous versions" of a folder. You can however reveal "deleted" contents file and folder alike by clicking the garbage bin icon on the top.
Doing so will let you see your ghosting folder just before it adds itself again. You can then right click it and "permanently delete".
So far so good. I'm still going to follow through with my ticket as I'm curious if the error is with one my shared users' computers or a glitch on dropbox's end. I'm leaning to the latter as "permanently deleting" appears to have worked.
I had a haunted set of empty folders. On a whim, I deleted them on my iPhone and now they're really gone. Who knew?
Best,
Jenny
