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Forum Discussion
Reception L.
10 years agoNew member | Level 2
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?
- 10 years ago
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.
Joe H.28
9 years agoNew member | Level 1
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.
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