How to stop Dropbox deleting everywhere?

Hi nh123, thanks for reaching out to us. 

In general, when you delete a file from your Dropbox folder on your computer, that file will also be removed from your account on the website, and any other device that has the desktop app or mobile app installed. 

However, you can restore any file you recently deleted, depending on your account, by following these steps. 

If you're still having trouble with this though, could you clarify of the file that keeps getting removed is inside the Dropbox folder or in another location on your hard drive? 

Are you by any chance using any symlinks? 

Keep me posted!

I'm having this same issue.  I want to delete the file off my desktop without deleting it from my dropbox folder. 

But anytime I try to do it I get that box that says it has to delete everywhere.  Is there a way to turn that off manually so I can delete from one place but not another? 

It's incredibly frustrating when you are working on a document in more than one place but then can't close one file and leave the other open. There has to be some kind of workaround other than just not putting files on my desktop

Thanks for joining the thread here frei2bme!

There wouldn't be a way to turn off sync for a specific file I'm afraid.

Could you just clarify for me what kind of issue you're running into when you have the file open in multiple places? Are you receiving errors, or generating conflicted copies?

Let me know and we can see if there's anything else that we can suggest to work around this!

I'm having the same issue.  I only want to delete the file in place.  I don't want my files synced.

This appears to be a new feature.  I have used Dropbox for many years.

It is very confusing and annoying.  Why ask a question when there is no way to say NO except to cancel the Delete?

this is making Dropobx unusable for me.

Hi there SteveSAS!

Just to clarify, do you have the desktop app installed on your computer?

Would you like to delete this single file from the local Dropbox folder, but not have the file deleted in your account online?

Keep me posted!

I am having this same problem.

What we are stating is that we would like to remove a file from our desktop, but have it remain in our dropbox for later use (rather than deleting it in all locations).  I myself am trying to prevent a large number of files from having to remain on my desktop.  

Still no solution to my original question.

I simply want to be able to save stuff on my desktop for easy access.

When done I want to file it elsewhere.

If i want to clear the desktop one it deletes everywhere.

Please tell me you have a solution.

I plan to contact my tech team and find another back up system for my files as this is not doable.

My desktop is full!

I was deleting useless files on my Dropbox because they were taking up unnecessary space. 

However, Dropbox deleted them from the PC as well, which was not intended. Is there a way to stop this from happening? 

Some files I have on my PC I don't need on my Dropbox. How do I take away this ability of dropbox deleting files without my permission?