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You Don’t Have Permission to Delete Files in This Folder

 

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.

Why Does "You Don’t Have Permission to Delete Files in This Folder" Happen?

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:

Restrictions on shared folders: If you have access to a shared folder, the owner may have limited your permissions so that you can see or edit files but not remove them.
Syncing issues: Permission issues can occasionally be caused by syncing issues between your device and Dropbox;
Corrupted files or folders: These damaged files or folders can result in permission errors that prevent deletion;
Administrative restrictions: if you're using Dropbox as part of a team or organization, an administrator may have placed restrictions on file deletion.

The first step in fixing an issue is figuring out what's causing it, and then we'll look at how to fix it.

How to Fix "You Don't Have Permission to Delete Files in This Folder Dropbox"

There are multiple ways to fix you don’t have permission to delete a folder or file. Let’s find out the solutions.

Solution 1. Check Your Folder Permissions

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.

Solution 2. Resolve Syncing Issues

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.

Solution 3. Contact Your Admin

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.

Solution 4. Change Ownership of the Dropbox Folder

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.

Transfer Ownership for Dropbox Folder
Transfer Ownership for Dropbox Folder

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.

Alternative Way to Delete Dropbox Files - MultCloud

If you have problems deleting Dropbox files and folders, here comes the powerful web-based multiple cloud storage manager - MultCloud to help.

It allows you to manage all cloud files in one place, like renaming, deleting, copying, copying to, sharing, uploading, moving, and more.
MultCloud supports 40+ clouds, including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, pCloud, ownCloud, Wasabi, MEGA, MediaFire, iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, WebDAV, FTP/SFTP, Amazon S3, Backblaze, etc.
You can move files between clouds easily, like cloud-to-cloud backup, sync, transfer, even team transfer, etc.
Delete files in bulk to effectively manage files.

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.

Add Dropbox
Add Dropbox

3. Click Dropbox on the left side, then choose the Dropbox files or folder, and tap Delete from the top menu.

Delete Dropbox Files and Folders
Delete Dropbox Files and Folders

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.

  • Smart Share: Share cloud files via public, private, or source mode.
  • One-key Move: Quick data transfer, sync, and backup among clouds.
  • Email Archive: Protect emails to other clouds or local disks.
  • Remote upload: Effectively save web files to clouds via URL.
  • Save Webpages as PDF/PNG: Keep them locally or online.
  • Instagram Download: Archive Instagram materials locally or online.
  • Easy: Access and manage all clouds in one place with one login.
  • Extensive: 30+ clouds and on-premise services are supported.

FAQs About "Don't Have Permission to Delete Folder"

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.

In the End

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.

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