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mmo's avatar
mmo
Helpful | Level 6
10 months ago
Solved

How to delete a Dropbox folder from the Windows file system?

I recently had to change my email address. Trying to adapt that in my dropbox account I accidentaly created me a second drop-box account. After finding out about my mistake I took a second attempt and then the email address change worked. 

But: Due to that prior procedure I had ended up having now TWO dropbox folders in my Windows box's home directory. After carefully figuring out which one is the correct/active folder I deleted the other unused/unwanted folder (via Window's right-click --> Delete). The folder disappeared from my home directory but turned into a zombie. I.e. it now sits in my recycle bin (still showing the dropbox icon) and seems to be undeletable, i.e. even having emptied my trash now multiple times that folder still sits in there and doesn't go away.

How can one completely remove a Dropbox folder deleted from the Windows file system?

Delete
desktop
windows
  • mmo's avatar
    mmo
    9 months ago

    After another search I found a link that this terrific forum SW does not allow me to paste (claiming that it contains invalid HTML ||-( - it's a link to MS' knowledge base) and the command

    "rd /s /q C:\$Recycle.bin"

    mentioned there and executed in an admin shell finally did the trick.

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  • mmo's avatar
    mmo
    Helpful | Level 6
    10 months ago

    "Drop folder location" reads:
    C:\Users\mmo\Dropbox.

    That's correct and syncs fine with my original account (i.e. not the one I accidentally created).

    This is my otherwise empty recycle bin:

     

    It actually contains TWO such zombies, which stem from my multiple attempts to delete that superfluous dropbox folder. When I couldn't delete it I had restored it, renamed it (suspecting that the name caused an issue) and had tried again. I then ended up with TWO of them in my trash bin. 

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    10 months ago

    Hey mmo let's jump right into this! 

    Just to double check here: when you access your app's preferences, and specifically your Sync tab where do you see your Dropbox folder being located? 

    You mentioned that the folder inside your recycle bin still shows the Dropbox icon. Can you attach a screenshot of that, in order for me to have a visual? 

    Also, I know this might sound trivial, but have you tried restarting your device at all? 

    Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!

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