How to recover permanently deleted files?

Hi Sharifdata, welcome to our Community! 

I'm afraid there's not much that you can do.

When a folder/file are permanently deleted, there is no way to recover them. 

I hope this clarifies!

Has anyone ever recovered files or folders you may have accidentally permanently deleted?
If so, how do you do it?

Hi there, LeonF, thanks for your post today.

I'm afraid that permanently deleted files are not recoverable.

Once they're permanently deleted, they are removed from our servers immediately.

I'm sorry I couldn't help more, but if you have any more questions, let us know.

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LeonF wrote:

Has anyone ever recovered files or folders you may have accidentally permanently deleted?
If so, how do you do it?

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The only way I can think of is either via a backup OR a device connected to Dropbox which has not yet sync'd the deletion (maybe an infrequently used laptop?). 

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Mark wrote:

... OR a device connected to Dropbox which has not yet sync'd the deletion (maybe an infrequently used laptop?). 

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Just make sure it's off-network when you turn it on, or Dropbox will immediately begin to sync.

Thanks Hannah. There is an option called "rewind". It helped me get back some items but not all. Is that supposed to help you recover everything as at the date you rewind to if it is working optimally?

Hey LeonF, "rewind" can help you restore your account to the way it was at a specific date of your choice (within your recovery window), but it won't bring back permanently deleted files, I'm afraid.

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LeonF wrote:

everything as at the date you rewind to if it is working optimally?

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It will roll back the account to the state it was in at that point but not files that were permanently deleted. I'm afraid, the clue is in the title. They are permanently removed and purged from the Dropbox servers when you do it. There is no way, at all, to recover via Dropbox.

A folder shared with me by [removed]
was permanently deleted by (email name).
Immediately it disappeared from my account too.
It is also shared with another paid account.
Is there a way I, [removed] can recover the deleted file.

[personal info removed per the Dropbox Community Guidelines]

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josecherukara wrote:

A folder shared with me ... was permanently deleted ... Is there a way I ... can recover the deleted file.

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If your access hasn't been removed then you may be able to rejoin the folder from your Sharing page. Otherwise, no, you'll need to ask the owner to re-invite you to the shared folder.