Can I change the ownership of a shared folder I don't own?

[JanML]

I belong to a group where the original owner has left ( as in died ), i am an editor in this group. Is there anyway we can get the ownwership changed - obviously we cannot ask the original owner to transfer ownwership.

[Jay · Accepted solution]

Hi @JanML, thanks for messaging the Community.

I'm sorry to hear about these circumstances. Unfortunately, only the owner of the shared folder can change the ownership to another user, even our support team wouldn't be able to make the change.

As this is the case, you can instead create a new folder elsewhere, copy the files from that existing shared folder into there, and then share the new folder to the people you want to invite.

Since you're an editor of the old folder, you can also remove the other members so they no longer have access to the old folder, to prevent confusion between the two folders.

I hope this helps to clarify matters.

[Tatiane1]

I have the same issue - which the owner is not at the company anymore and we cant archive the folder on dropbox.
The support team should be able to change the ownership in cases like that at least.

[Mark]

@Tatiane1 - they can if you have the appropriate set up on your account (i.e. you are a paid business account). For Business level support it is only reasonable to expect to pay for it. 

The work around is not too cumbersome - simply set up a new one, or, if its a business domain reactive the employees account who has left so you can log in and change it that way.