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Files disappeared from my Dropbox folder
The problem started yesterday. I noticed some files were missing from local synced files as well as the web interface. This morning more files disappeared. I checked the Deleted Files folder. It appe...
Alan W.12 wrote:
One of them says "You deleted 48940 files" with a link to those files. ... I did not delete those files.
It may not have been you directly, but something on a device of yours initiated the deletion. Have you moved any folders lately? That would often show as a mass-deletion in Dropbox (Dropbox detects that a folder no longer exists where it once was and marks it as deleted). Or have you run any clean up utilities on your computer that may have organized or removed files?
If you restore one of the files and look at its version history, it will show you the specific device that the deletion occurred on. Look to that device for a possible cause.
Is there a support department I can reach out to?You can find the support options that are available to you, which vary based on your account level, on the Support page.
Rich
Super User II
Super User II
Alan W.12 wrote:
One of them says "You deleted 48940 files" with a link to those files. ... I did not delete those files.
It may not have been you directly, but something on a device of yours initiated the deletion. Have you moved any folders lately? That would often show as a mass-deletion in Dropbox (Dropbox detects that a folder no longer exists where it once was and marks it as deleted). Or have you run any clean up utilities on your computer that may have organized or removed files?
If you restore one of the files and look at its version history, it will show you the specific device that the deletion occurred on. Look to that device for a possible cause.
Is there a support department I can reach out to?
You can find the support options that are available to you, which vary based on your account level, on the Support page.
Thanks! That's very helpful. I think I found the problem. An external drive, where Dropbox files are synced to, was disconnected from my desktop. The Dropbox client on my desktop probably thought that the files were deleted and started to delete them. A lesson is learned. Thank you for your help!
- Rich
Alan W.12 wrote:
An external drive, where Dropbox files are synced to, was disconnected from my desktop. The Dropbox client on my desktop probably thought that the files were deleted and started to delete them.
And this is THE reason why it's suggested that the Dropbox folder not be located on an external drive. If the drive disconnects while Dropbox is running, or isn't available when Dropbox starts, the missing Dropbox folder could be seen as a mass-deletion which would then sync to your account.
If you must store Dropbox on an external drive, do the sensible thing and create another regular backup. External drive are inexpensive. Losing data can be expensive.
