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Forum Discussion

ruth_baker's avatar
ruth_baker
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Solved

Can't delete folders that have "invalid files" added to their name.

I have a number of folders that I cannot delete from Dropbox - they have "Ruth's Invalid Files" added to their name. Does anyone know how to fix this? 
Delete
  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    2 years ago

    Thanks for the screenshot! Can you clarify what types of files are mostly located within these folders? Feel free to send one more screenshot, as well. 

     

    Besides Dropbox, are you seeing this type of invalid files anywhere else on your Mac device? 

     

    What if you go to your desktop app again, and try to drag these folders out of the local Dropbox folder before deleting them again? Are you getting any errors then?

Nancy's avatar
Nancy
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago

Welcome to the forum, ruth_baker!

 

Are you unable to delete these folders from the Dropbox website, or from the desktop/mobile app?

 

I’d also like a screenshot of an example folder you can’t delete, along with any errors you may seeing. 

 

Keep me in the loop for any updates.

ruth_baker's avatar
ruth_baker
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago

I can’t delete them from the desktop app, the finder folder, using the terminal or online. Photo attached - I re named them to put them at the bottom of the list - when I try to delete any of the z * files then it just renames as invalid.

 

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Thanks for the screenshot! Can you clarify what types of files are mostly located within these folders? Feel free to send one more screenshot, as well. 

     

    Besides Dropbox, are you seeing this type of invalid files anywhere else on your Mac device? 

     

    What if you go to your desktop app again, and try to drag these folders out of the local Dropbox folder before deleting them again? Are you getting any errors then?

    • ruth_baker's avatar
      ruth_baker
      Explorer | Level 3
      2 years ago

      There were no files in the folders, and nothing similar anywhere else.

       

      The suggestion did not work until I used the computer on which I'd originally tried to delete them. But it looks good now- thanks!

      • Nancy's avatar
        Nancy
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        2 years ago

        That’s lovely to hear, ruth_baker! 

         

        If you need something else, feel free to ping me.

    • quocchinh's avatar
      quocchinh
      Explorer | Level 3
      2 years ago

      Hi Nancy, I have also had the same situation. Can not delete 2 folders on my dropbox account. pls help

      • Megan's avatar
        Megan
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        2 years ago

        Hey quocchinh, welcome to our Community! 

         

        Are these folders shared ones, by any chance? 

         

        Also, which platform do you use when trying to delete them? 

         

        Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!

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