unable to delete a folder from backup

[dropped bocks]

When I try to delete a folder from Dropbox Backup I get the following message:

"Delete Desktop from your My Mac (iMac) backup?

Go to Backup settings to delete Desktop.

If you no longer have access to the computer you used to create My Mac (iMac) backup, click I don’t have access.”

I’m not trying to delete the Desktop just a folder but

I cannot delete the folder on “Backup settings”

And I cannot delete the folder with “I don’t have access”

I then unlinked the device from which the folder was backed up but still get the above message when trying to delete the folder from backup. How can I delete the folder from backup?

[Jay]

Hi @dropped bocks, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Just for clarification, you only want to remove one folder from the backup, and not the entire backup, is that correct?

If you've unlinked the device, this means that you wouldn't get the option to disable the Desktop folder from being part of the computer backup. Are you able to re-enable it?

This will help me to assist further!

[dropped bocks]

Thanks for your reply, yes I just want to delete one folder. I followed the directions in the message to unlink the device but that did not allow me to delete it.

If I re-link the device it will I think ask me to backup the drive again which will take 2 days so I don't want to have to do that

[Nancy]

Hi from me as well, @dropped bocks. 

Do you mind sending over a screenshot of the message you keep receiving? 

Also, out of curiosity, is this happening for other folders/files that are located within your Desktop folder?

[dropped bocks]

Thank you, yes this happening for other folders/files that are located within your Desktop folder

[Jay]

Thanks for the image. Currently, the only way to remove specific folders from a backup is to remove it from the Dropbox Backup on the original device. It can't be done via the site.

Since the desktop app has been unlinked, it won't be possible to remove the folder.

[dropped bocks]

how can I remove the folder from the backup? relink and rebackup the device? Is that the only way?

Thanks

[Jay]

If you relink the same device, it could detect that a backup was done previously on the same machine. 

From there, you can then remove the folder from the backup via the desktop app.