My public links are no longer working

[hypnocoach]

All my public links are suddenly not working. I noticed that the previously copied link URL that I've given to people to access the file had "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com" as the first part of the url name. But now when I am copying the link, the first part of the url name is "https://www.dropbox.com"

I assume this is the issue, but why did this change?

I also noticed the selection option in the dropdown menu that appears when I right click on the file in my Public dropbox folder to be able to copy it has changed. It no longer has the dropbox symbol to the left and says "Copy dropbox link" whereas before I believe it said "Share dropbox link." And above that option, there is something with the dropbox symbol next to it that says "Share..." (that wasn't there before) and gives the option of entering an email address to send it to, or copying the link (also with the beginning url as ""https://www.dropbox.com"

Now not only do I have to recopy the URL's for all my active clients' files that they need to get to, but ALL the numerous "permanent files" that I have stored in Dropbox to access as clickable links on my several websites, in blog posts and online articles, in documents that people have downloaded, in my autoresponders are NOT WORKING. There's no way I can find and replace them all. What is going on?!!

[Jane · Accepted solution]

Hey hypnocoach, 

Thanks for getting in touch here!

Please note that public links will no longer function as of March 15, 2017 for Basic users and on September 1, 2017 for Plus and Dropbox for Business users. You can find more information here: https://www.dropbox.com/help/16.

Hope this helps you clarify! If there's anything else you need to ask, please let me know. 

Kind regards, 

JaneA

[hypnocoach]

Ironically, your link gives me a 404 error! 

Why didn't I know this was going to occur?!

[hypnocoach]

Time to say adios to you, Dropbox!

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@hypnocoach wrote:

Ironically, your link gives me a 404 error! 

Why didn't I know this was going to occur?!

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[Mark]

Dropbox have sent multiple mailshots out about this hypnocoach - if you've not got them I suggest checking junk/spam folders and also that your email is correct at www.dropbox.com/account

[Rich]

And just to point out, you can still create links to your files using the Share Link feature which replaced the Public folder in 2012. You can also still use such links to post images to forums and other websites.

• https://www.dropbox.com/help/167
• https://www.dropbox.com/help/201

[Jane]

Hey hypnocoach, 

Please accept my apologies for the error. 

Hope you can access the link now!

[malphadour]

This is the ONLY thing we use dropbox for and you [content removed by moderator] have broken it!    Dropbox allowed us to simply share files with customers and now you have made that into an absolute mess, not to mention the fact that the existing 40 odd links I have set up in numerous emails are now all broken.  I'm not quite sure how Dropbox think that pissing off its customer base is going to create more business.  We will not be paying you a penny until the direct link functionality is returned!!!

[Rich]

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malphadour wrote:

Dropbox allowed us to simply share files with customers

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And you still can, using a Share Link, which replaced the Public folder functionality in 2012.

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We will not be paying you a penny until the direct link functionality is returned!!!

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The ability to directly link to a file was not removed. You can do that with a Share Link buy simply changing the parameter at the end of the link.

[eskdale]

The link still shows 404 for me.

I've checked my spam box and emails and that my email address is correct but did not receive any notification about this.

I only discovered when I asked someone to go to a link I had published if they needed help and they told me it didn't work.

Personally it is a great inconvenience and yet another reason not to stay with or recommend Dropbox.  Any links I've supplied to small programs to help people out now longer work.  Thank you Dropbox.  Luckily I've just bought a QNAP NAS box which allows me to do this.  

But WHY Dropbox - OK it stops people using your service which I appreciate someone has to pay for the bandwidth.  So may be make it chargable but don't just withdraw it without notification.   I assume also if you change a file now to a newer version the link will change which it didn't previously.  Sorry but it seems a wrong move to me unless you are trying to get rid of customers.