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Can't delete folders that have "invalid files" added to their name

Can't delete folders that have "invalid files" added to their name

ruth_baker
Explorer | Level 3

I have a number of folders that I cannot delete from Dropbox - they have "Ruth's Invalid Files" added to their name. Does anyone know how to fix this? 

1 Accepted Solution

Accepted Solutions

Nancy
Dropbox Staff

Thanks for the screenshot! Can you clarify what types of files are mostly located within these folders? Feel free to send one more screenshot, as well. 

 

Besides Dropbox, are you seeing this type of invalid files anywhere else on your Mac device? 

 

What if you go to your desktop app again, and try to drag these folders out of the local Dropbox folder before deleting them again? Are you getting any errors then?


Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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View solution in original post

5 Replies 5

Nancy
Dropbox Staff

Welcome to the forum, @ruth_baker!

 

Are you unable to delete these folders from the Dropbox website, or from the desktop/mobile app?

 

I’d also like a screenshot of an example folder you can’t delete, along with any errors you may seeing. 

 

Keep me in the loop for any updates.


Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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ruth_baker
Explorer | Level 3

I can’t delete them from the desktop app, the finder folder, using the terminal or online. Photo attached - I re named them to put them at the bottom of the list - when I try to delete any of the z * files then it just renames as invalid.

 

Screenshot 2024-03-08 at 09.56.39.png

Nancy
Dropbox Staff

Thanks for the screenshot! Can you clarify what types of files are mostly located within these folders? Feel free to send one more screenshot, as well. 

 

Besides Dropbox, are you seeing this type of invalid files anywhere else on your Mac device? 

 

What if you go to your desktop app again, and try to drag these folders out of the local Dropbox folder before deleting them again? Are you getting any errors then?


Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


Heart Did this post help you? If so, give it a Like below to let us know.
:arrows_counterclockwise: Need help with something else? Ask me a question!
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ruth_baker
Explorer | Level 3

There were no files in the folders, and nothing similar anywhere else.

 

The suggestion did not work until I used the computer on which I'd originally tried to delete them. But it looks good now- thanks!

Nancy
Dropbox Staff

That’s lovely to hear, @ruth_baker

 

If you need something else, feel free to ping me.


Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


Heart Did this post help you? If so, give it a Like below to let us know.
:arrows_counterclockwise: Need help with something else? Ask me a question!
:pushpin: Find Tips & Tricks Discover more ways to use Dropbox here!
:arrows_counterclockwise: Interested in Community Groups? Click here to join!

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