Prevent a user from copying files to the teamfolder

[Juerg]

We are using free Dropbox.

We are 8 users and I am the owner. Most of the users lack basic computer skills. Most of them cannot distinguish between delete or move a file and they do not know what a folder is.

We have a common main folder and each user has its own folder where he can do what he wants.

The users often delete, move and copy files accidentally.

How can I adjust folder access rights in order to prevent the users of not messing up the main team folder and folders of the other users - or allow the users only to mess up their own folder?

Thanks for help and a good word.

[Daphne]

Hi there @juerg, thanks for reaching out to us here!

Could you clarify for me, are you using a Dropbox Business plan, or is each member using a personal plan?

Also, is this main folder a Team folder (with the building icon) or a shared folder (with a silhouette of 2 people)?

Let me know and we can take it from there!

[Juerg]

It is a Shared folder.

we are not using a business plan.

Therefore all users or members have the same read/write access to all folders.

The structure is like this:

I am the owner or admin of the main folder

main folder (shared - all members should only have r access except admin)

/member 1 folder ( only member 1 and admin should have r/w access - all others only r access)

/member 2 folder (only member 2 and admin should have r/w access - all others only r access)

/common folder (all members should only have r access except admin)

[Jay]

Hi @juerg, I'd need some more clarification to understand your structure. Are these all individual Dropbox accounts with their own emails, and the folders are shared to each user? 

Are these all different shared folders, or just subfolders in the main shared folder?

If the folders are not subfolders, then you should be able to configure edit and view only rights to each member of those folders. 

[Juerg]

They are all subfolders of the main shared folder.

[Jay · Accepted solution]

This would be the reason then, since you can only have one permission for shared folders. Subfolders in shared folders can't have different permissions, unless they're in a team folder on a paid Dropbox Business team.

The best method would be to have them as separate shared folders, so each shared folder could have their own permissions.