Struggling with 'You don't have permission to delete files in this folder Dropbox'? This article provides solutions for 'don't have permission to delete folder' errors, helping you regain control of your files.
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Don't have permission to permanently delete a folder
Hi, we have a Dropbox folder which is shared amongst three people.
I have created a subfolder which I now want to permanently delete.
As I'm not the of the parent folder I don't have permission to permanently delete the subfolder I created.
As my girlfriend is the owner of the parent folder I have asked her to permanently delete the subfolder, but Dropbox claims she doesn't have permission either.
How do we permanently get rid of this subfolder?
We're using the Dropbox website on a Windows machine.
Kind regards
- Question from dropboxforum.com
Unable to delete a folder I own. "You don’t have permission to delete files in this folder".
Hi! I'm having difficulty deleting a folder I own. I keep getting an error message "You don’t have permission to delete files in this folder". There are no files in the folder and I have triple-checked that I am the owner of the folder. I have also unshared it with any other members.
- Question from dropboxforum.com
If you just like the above users can’t delete Dropbox folders due to permission, don’t worry, here we will show you the reasons why and find the solutions to fix it, then you can regain access to manage Dropbox files.
Dropbox manages file and folder access using a permission-based structure, just like a lot of other cloud storage services. Some main causes of the "You don't have permission to delete files in this folder Dropbox" message are listed below:
The first step in fixing an issue is figuring out what's causing it, and then we'll look at how to fix it.
There are multiple ways to fix you don’t have permission to delete a folder or file. Let’s find out the solutions.
If the folder is shared, contact the owner and request delete permissions. Alternatively, if you're the owner, ensure you've granted yourself the necessary access.
Check if Dropbox not syncing, you can pause and resume syncing in the Dropbox desktop app to restart the Dropbox sync engine and force Dropbox to sync. Then restart your device and check if the issue persists.
If you're part of a team or organization, reach out to your Dropbox admin to adjust your permissions. Then delete the Dropbox files and folders according to your needs.
Some users report that changing the ownership of the folder to the needed person can fix the problem if you are using a shared folder in Dropbox. So, learn how to change ownership here:
1. Please log in to your Dropbox account on the website.
2. Select the Dropbox shared folder, and tap the three-dot icon at the end.
3. Choose Manage permissions, then find the the user (yourself) that can be the owner, then hit the permission at the end, choose Make Owner, and hit Done.
4. Now, check if you have permission to delete the Dropbox folder.
That was it! you changed the ownership of the folder and ensure you have permission to delete the files or folders.
How to delete files you don't have permission to delete on Windows 10? you can also change the ownership of the Dropbox folder through the Security tab in Properties if needed, then try deleting it.
If you have problems deleting Dropbox files and folders, here comes the powerful web-based multiple cloud storage manager - MultCloud to help.
So, how to delete Dropbox files with MultCloud, here are the simple steps:
1. Log in to your MultCloud Dashboard after registering.
2. Tap Add Cloud under Common Tools, and choose Dropbox from the list, follow the guide to grant access to MultCloud.
3. Click Dropbox on the left side, then choose the Dropbox files or folder, and tap Delete from the top menu.
4. The selected Dropbox files and folders will be removed.
Before deleting Dropbox files, it’s wise to create a backup copy for the important documents. Fortunately, MultCloud can help you backup files from Dropbox to Google Drive, OneDrive, ownCloud, etc.
Q: Can I delete files in a shared Dropbox folder if I’m not the owner?
A: It depends on the permissions set by the folder owner. If you only have view or edit access, you won’t be able to delete files. Contact the owner to request delete permissions.
Q: What should I do if I can’t delete a corrupted file in Dropbox?
A: Try repairing the file using Dropbox’s tools or delete it locally from your device. If the issue persists, contact Dropbox support.
Q: How do I prevent permission issues in the future?
A: Regularly review your folder permissions, ensure your account type meets your needs, and keep your Dropbox app updated to avoid syncing issues.
Although it can be annoying, permission problems such as "You don't have permission to delete files in this folder Dropbox" are not insurmountable. You can recover control of your files and folders by comprehending the underlying causes and taking the actions mentioned above. The most important thing is to remain aware and proactive, regardless of whether you're using Windows 10, Dropbox, or another platform.