Within my Dropbox folder, I have sub-folders with different Windows ACL permissions. Up until recently, whenever Dropbox synced a file it inherited its folder permissions perfectly. Now it no longer does. It overrides the folder permissions and sets all file permissions to something completely different - Full Control for admins and Read/Read & Execute for users. Is there any way to get back to the old days - when Dropbox respected the inheritance of ACL permissions to all files in each folder?

Hi,I have been doing some playing around with this.- When dropbox downloads a file it downloads it initially to a directory in the hidden system folder \Dropbox\.dropbox.cache- once it is downloaded it performs a MOVE to the actual destination folder.- When you a MOVE (not copy) a file within the same volume on an NTFS Filesystem, it will retain its permissions rather than inherit the permissions of the destination folder.So if you set MODIFY permissions for "Users" (Or domain users if on a domain) on the folder \Dropbox\.dropbox.cache then when the file is moved to the true destination folder it will retain the MODIFY rights, and other users on that same machine (Or Domain) will be able to modify/delete the file.But (I hear you say) what about my permissions stopping people accessing folders that they should not be able to access? Well... these still work. The permissions you have set on the folder will still remain, so you can exclude some users from some folders. The files within that folder however will be modifiable by all, but that does not really matter as other users can't get to them any way.Clear as mud?Andy

All,I've been in contact with Travis at Dropbox customer support, he confirmed it was a product change that went into effect in a recent Dropbox update, and affects all clients and operating systems. Presumably Dropbox was having problems with user permissions, so they took the nuclear option of forcing all files to replicate the root folder permissions.While I can see the need for a "novice" user mode, they should have included an advanced option to maintain the existing ACL management, and told him as much. He has forwarded my feedback into the development team. Will they heed my input? Who knows?When I asked if or when this might be fixed: "With regards to the time frame on when this will amended, unfortunately, I'm not able to provide you with one. I'm not a part of any decision making team, as such there isn't an estimate I can give, and I don't want to set any expectations for you."When I asked how would I know about such a change: "If a decision is made to reverse the change or implement some sort of exception, I imagine this will be disseminated to our users via email."He did add: "I can only advise that if you know other users, that are experiencing this, urge them that they voice their concern to us at Dropbox support. This way, the more feedback we send and our team receives, the stronger the case for them to take action on this as soon as possible."His advice is the only way this is going to get changed... if enough of us raise our voice over this issue. If you have not already, I encourage you to contact Dropbox support and voice your frustration.I must say that Travis was very professional in his responses, and is only giving me the best information he can. Unfortunately, it also likely means I'll need to look into other options.For those of you who have not yet contacted Dropbox support, below is a template email you can use to send in. Maybe if they get enough of them, they might listen.pwc=============================================================To Dropbox Support:Files sync'd to my Dropbox folder no longer inherit folder permissions, but instead have a fixed set of permissions. This is breaking our use of the product. This is a new bug that was introduced in the past week. We have been using Dropbox successfully for MANY years.I believe the basic problem to be that files are being moved from the cache folder into the destination folder after download, which is moving the ACL (permissions) setting along with the file. This is a NEW behavior of Dropbox. Until a recent update (last week or so), files were likely copied, not moved (otherwise set to the permissions of the destination folder after the move using icals).This is a deal-breaker for me… security permissions must be obeyed, as they have been for literally years. For some reason, the dev team changed how files are handled, and this has broken permissions control. This is happening on all operating systems, and is easily repeatable:Machine A:Create folder (call it ‘Test’) with permissions different from the root, make permissions inheritableCreate a text file in folder. Verify that permissions match the Test subfolder, not the root Dropbox folder (it should or you setup the permissions wrong)Machine B:After sync, add a second text file in the Test folder.Machine A:After sync, second text file has the permissions of the root Dropbox folder, NOT the Test folder.Machine B:Modify the text file that was first created.Machine A:After sync, the initial text now also has the permissions of the root Dropbox folder, NOT the Test folder.Prior to the update in the past week, Dropbox would maintain the permissions of the Test folder, not the root Dropbox folder.I need this to be fixed ASAP.======================Then go to this link and post it to them: https://www.dropbox.com/support/email

The Dropbox folder is syncing OK as far as I know: Edited by moderator On the second device the ACL permissions are: Edited by moderator Until recently, Dropbox 'respected' the ACL permissions on both devices and the files inherited the permissions from each device's respective parent folder. Now it seems like Dropbox is insisting files are written with their own specific permissions? This has only been a problem in the last few weeks - I have had this setup running since 2012!

I have a dropbox subfolder that is set up for sharing over a local Windows network. The folder and its parents are all set for sharing with a default of Full Access for "Everyone" on the network. If I create a file in this folder using Windows, the file will have proper NTFS permissions, both local and Network Share. Any files imported into the folder through Dropbox, however, from, say, an Android device or a Linux machine, only inherit local NTFS permissions. The permissions for "Everyone" are missing. I have to open each file's permissions box and add "Everyone" to it for any other machines on the Windows net to see the file. I've had this arragement for quite some time, and it seems like the permissions worked fine up until a few months ago after an app update. I've been pulling my hair out looking for solutions, but I am at my wit's end. What is Dropbox doing differently when creating these files from all other Windows apps?

I can confirm, that setting the permissions on the (hidden) .dropbox.cache folder will reflect on synced files.This works for me, since all my files needs one specific permissions. It will not work, if there are different permissions for different folders.This is so stupid.(But not as stupid as the change to selective sync, which did completly mess up our setting and forces us to use a new dropbox account.)

Dropbox files no longer inherit folder permissions

SLWelsh
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
I have a dropbox subfolder that is set up for sharing over a local Windows network. The folder and its parents are all set for sharing with a default of Full Access for "Everyone" on the network. If I create a file in this folder using Windows, the file will have proper NTFS permissions, both local and Network Share.

Any files imported into the folder through Dropbox, however, from, say, an Android device or a Linux machine, only inherit local NTFS permissions. The permissions for "Everyone" are missing. I have to open each file's permissions box and add "Everyone" to it for any other machines on the Windows net to see the file.

I've had this arragement for quite some time, and it seems like the permissions worked fine up until a few months ago after an app update. I've been pulling my hair out looking for solutions, but I am at my wit's end.

What is Dropbox doing differently when creating these files from all other Windows apps?
- CREModels !.
  New member | Level 2
  5 years ago
  i'm running into this same issue with our server setup. never had a problem until recently and frankly it was a bear to debug and finally figure out what was happening.
  glad to find others with the same issue.
  i'm not sure what the solution is here. if we put the client on every computer in the office, it becomes a CPU/memory hog and total PITA to maintain.
  the server-based syncing combined with NTFS permissions was a perfect solution.
  i know there are NAS devices that sync with dropbox, how does this update affect them? i think they tend to use the API so not sure if they would have the same problem or not.
- Walter
  Dropbox Staff
  5 years ago
  Hi SLWelsh - welcome to the Dropbox Community!
  
  What you notice is now expected as we implemented a fix in a new version of the Dropbox desktop application that ensures both consistent folder icons and file/folder permissions for items residing within the Dropbox folder.
  
  If you have files or folders in the Dropbox folder with custom permissions (such as custom POSIX permissions or BSD flags), these may be removed to ensure the file syncs to other devices without any issues.
  
  I hope this clears things up and we're always a post away if you have any additional questions.
  - Brian1
    Collaborator | Level 10
    5 years ago
    Walter wrote:
    Hi SLWelsh - welcome to the Dropbox Community!
    What you notice is now expected as we implemented a fix in a new version of the Dropbox desktop application that ensures both consistent folder icons and file/folder permissions for items residing within the Dropbox folder.
    
    If you have files or folders in the Dropbox folder with custom permissions (such as custom POSIX permissions or BSD flags), these may be removed to ensure the file syncs to other devices without any issues.
    
    I hope this clears things up and we're always a post away if you have any additional questions.
    Please elaborate:
    1) As of what specific version was this change made, and why wasn't it highlighted in the release notes?
    2) What else do you consider a "custom" permission? You mentioned two things, both outside of the Windows realm, POSIX and BSD, that wouldn't be in play for us, so I'd like to know all the possible scenarious you mean.
    3) "May" be removed? Explain further.
    What we've been seeing lately in isolated cases, definitely with files that have synced recently from one site to another, is users (in the Security permissions list of a given file in Properties) being removed and the list merely being left with SYSTEM and Administrators, or similar. We then need to fix this manually and hope it doesn't happen again.
    I don't want to open a case. I just want to see this fully documented.
- chouste
  New member | Level 2
  5 years ago
  Same Issue! Thanks for posting, I have been pulling my hair out as well trying to figure this out. BAD MOVE DROPBOX! WHY WHY WHY! We have a lot of $$$ invested into our DB tools and the way we use them. THIS IS FRUSTRATING!
Ashman
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
I am also having this issue recently.
I run windows 10 on two different pc's and require inheritable permissions to be granted on 1 of those boxes in particular.
This change is a deal breaker. I don't know whether it was intentional or not but I would suggest adding a toggle for this functionality if you want to keep people using your product.
- bernik
  Explorer | Level 4
  5 years ago
  I can confirm, that setting the permissions on the (hidden) .dropbox.cache folder will reflect on synced files.
  This works for me, since all my files needs one specific permissions. It will not work, if there are different permissions for different folders.
  This is so stupid.
  (But not as stupid as the change to selective sync, which did completly mess up our setting and forces us to use a new dropbox account.)
  - rickdev
    New member | Level 2
    5 years ago
    This is pathetic. I have the same issue on windows 10. I am working on web files which i am adding on one machine, but the other machine then loses permission for the web server to access the file.
    This should not have changed as there is no explanation or valid reason for this behaviour. Windows specifically inherits all security setting for a file created in a folder. This is the way windows works!!
    I will be using a competitor product.
Jane
Dropbox Staff
5 years ago
Hey rjwb, that's interesting; let’s have a closer look!

Can you include two side-by-side screen shots (without personal info) in your next message showing me what’s your current sync status & the sync icons as you’re viewing a sample directory where folder permissions have been reset?

Could you also check whether this is happening on a directory where you’ve assigned the same permissions outside Dropbox? Do you see the same thing or does it appear differently?

Keep me posted of your findings & we’ll go from there!
- rjwb
  Helpful | Level 7
  5 years ago
  The sync status is fine - all files are syncing perfectly. It's just their ACL permissions are getting changed if the file is synced via Dropbox, as opposed to saved directly to the folder on the PC.
  
  An example folder permissions are as per shot1.
  
  Edited by moderator
  
  If a file is saved directly on the PC into the Dropboxed folder, it inherits the permissions from the parent folder correctly (shot2)
  
  Edited by moderator
  
  But if it's saved on another machine and gets synced by Dropbox, it gets saved with different permissions and ignores inheritance (shot3)
  
  Edited by moderator
  - Jane
    Dropbox Staff
    5 years ago
    Thanks for the screen grabs rjwb!
    
    It looks like the issue lies on the "timesheet RB 1912.xlsx” that’s added from a second device when being synced down to your first device, which wouldn’t inherit the ACL permissions you’ve assigned to the "Timesheets” parent folder.
    
    It would be ideal to see the syncing icons & sync status on the Dropbox folder to form a clearer picture. However, could you include an extra screenshot showing me the ACL permissions set on the second device for the parent folder of the "timesheet RB 1912.xlsx” spreadsheet?
    
    I look forward to hearing back from you!
Leo22
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
I Have The Same Problem With Win10.Anyone find a Solution Or Not :thinking:
psltracker
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
Is there any way to get back to the old days - when I used Dropbox to save my web files
- Fiona
  Dropbox Staff
  5 years ago
  Hey rjwb. Sorry for any frustration this has caused, however, as our team explained this set up is not supported. Not much I can add to this unfortunately.
  
  psltracker You can still save your web files. Would you like to elaborate on your request so I can assist more with this.
  
  If your request is not related to this topic. Please create a new topic and we will be happy to help.
  
  Thanks.
volfman
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
I'm having an issue with Dropbox client changing the windows permissions on a file when another computer/user makes a change to that file and it syncs.
First screenshot shows the windows permissions of the file on Computer A prior to making edits on a different computer Computer B.
After the first screenshot below, I made changes to the excel file on Computer B.
Second screenshot below shows the windows permissions of the file on Computer A after Computer A Dropbox client syncs changes.
The parent folder of this file has the same permissions as they were of the file prior to the changes/sync. This is shown in the third screenshot below.

Before changes and sync

After change and sync

Permissions of parent folder are identical to the before screenshot
- Lusil
  Dropbox Staff
  5 years ago
  Hi there volfman, thanks for checking in with us.
  
  I've moved your post to this thread where other users have reported a similar behavior as to what you describe.
  
  As Fiona also mentions here, the Dropbox desktop app tries its best to ensure consistent permissions in the Dropbox folder, and you may find custom permissions are not maintained to ensure that the files sync to other devices without any issues.
  
  I understand that this may not be the ideal reply you were looking for, but thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.
  
  Let me know if you have any other questions!
  - melodramatic
    Explorer | Level 4
    5 years ago
    I am also having this issue. Have been using this system for many years and over the last few months have been struggling to work out why the permissions have suddenly been failing. Would also like to put my vote in for Dropbox to deal with this issue.
RAR_Systems
Explorer | Level 3
5 years ago
When you modify a file the security properties change to others and are not respected, how can I fix this?
- Walter
  Dropbox Staff
  5 years ago
  Hi RAR_Systems - welcome to our Community!
  
  I'm not sure if you're referring to this, but could you take a look at the discussion I had a little while ago with some other users that noticed something similar?
  
  Cross-linking it here for reference:
  
  https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Files-folders/Dropbox-files-not-inheriting-NTFS-sharing-permissions/m-p/392481#M142626
  
  Is this what you're talking about as well?
  - RAR_Systems
    Explorer | Level 3
    5 years ago
    Yes, same problem
chouste
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
Same Issue! Thanks for posting, I have been pulling my hair out as well trying to figure this out. BAD MOVE DROPBOX! WHY WHY WHY! We have a lot of $$$ invested into our DB tools and the way we use them. THIS IS FRUSTRATING!
- Brian1
  Collaborator | Level 10
  5 years ago
  Did anybody ever end up getting more information from Advanced Support in the last few weeks?
  Meanwhile, there's a new version (92.4.382) to test and be disappointed by in all likelihood.
  - Bradbox99
    Explorer | Level 3
    5 years ago
    We still have the same issue as well. Support only told us to uninstall and re-install. Not much of a support team.
    Still waiting for a solution Dropbox.....