Can I delete files from my computer after giving someone else owership of the shared folder?

[Katrina Snow]

Hello,

Years ago, I was president of an online chapter for an organization. At the time, I set up a shared Dropbox folder so the board could share files and store records from the past. Recently, when cleaning files off of an old computer, I discovered that I still have all the records in a Dropbox folder on my computer, and that I was still listed as the Owner for the Dropbox folder and files. The new president and her board were listed with edit capabilities.

I have now made the current president the Owner, and removed myself from the shared folder. It no longer shows up in my online Dropbox account. 

However, the Dropbox folder and all the old files are still on my old computer's hard drive. I thought the files would disappear once I was no longer the owner. I want to assume that they aren't linked to the shared ones, as I no longer have access to the shared file online, but don't know if that is the case. 

1 - If the files all showed up on the shared drive online before I appointed another owner and removed myself, are the files still there in the shared drive? (I want to make sure they didn't go away after I went away.)

2 - If the answer to the above is "yes," can I now delete these files from my hard drive without deleting the ones on the shared drive? 

Thanks for your help,

Katrina

[Megan · Accepted solution]

Hi @Katrina Snow, wishing you a happy Monday! 

If you are no longer a member of the folder, and you do not see it online, then you are safe to remove the content from your device. 

The content should be removed, and no current members will be affected. 

Can you give it a go, and keep me updated? 

Thanks!

[Katrina Snow]

Hi Lori,

I tried it and you were right. I had someone still in the group check the dropbox file after I deleted a few from my computer, and the docs were still in there. 

Thanks!

Katrina

[Megan]

Glad everything is set @Katrina Snow!

Don't hesitate to get back to us if anything comes up.