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I shared a folder of files a few days ago. Today I deleted the folder and the underlying files. However, the link still works, the files still show up in the download page, and files are still able to be downloaded. To be clear, the folder and files do not exist locally on disk nor on the original dropbox.com location. I physically deleted them. So they should not be accessible via the shared linked, yet they are. Tried multiple browsers, they're still visible and downloadable.
Welcome to the Community, @znelson32!
Just to clarify, did you delete this folder with its contents via www.dropbox.com and it can now be found in your Deleted files page, but the shared link still works nonetheless?
Also, the shared link that you originally created, was it with edit or view-only permissions?
Let me know, and we’ll go from there.
Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
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That’s true, indeed. When a folder gets deleted, then the shared link stops working, as well.
Is it possible you have a second folder under the same name on your Dropbox account and the link’s connected to it instead?
Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support
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No not possible. The folder structure is like this:
Folder A
—>Folder B
———>Folder C (share was here)
I deleted Folder C and all contents but hours later I can still get to them via the share URL. The resulting page shows me all file contents of the missing Folder C. Now when I go to Files, Folder A, Folder B, I don’t see Folder C (and I shouldn’t). But using the shared link I see it all, and can download the files.
Alright, let’s check one more thing; if you go to your Shared tab here, are you seeing this folder in the list, along with an option to re-add it to your Dropbox account?
Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support
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Hey @Quan-d-o-n-g, thanks for your feedback on this.
The option to add an expiration date on a shared link does already exist as a feature, however, it's currently available to specific Dropbox plans, along with other shared link permission options.
As for the issue you mentioned, can you give us a few more details?
Are you able to see the folder and its contents through the shared link, after deleting the folder from your account?
Perhaps this is a caching issue; have you tried clearing your browser's cache, to see if that makes a difference?
Hannah
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support
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Hi there!
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