How can I select multiple files to delete at once?

[minerolywa]

I upgraded my dropbox recently to 1 TB of cloud memory because I have a security camera that records and uploads.  We have the camera inside the house and it records anytime there is movement.  I don't need to keep or access the video files unless something bad happens, so I've been deleting them.  I came to find out they go to the 'Deleted file' folder and I'd like to delete them permanently on a regular basis, rather than have them use up cloud storage.

I've not found a way to select all the files at once to do this efficiently.  Is there a way, and if not, when will this be added?  It's ridiculous to have to select files one by one without having an option to select all.  Please let me know when you plan on adding this, as if you don't have a difinitive answer (date) then I will need to look to another option for cloud storage.

Thanks.

[Walter · Accepted solution]

Hey there @minerolywa  - welcome to our forums and happy Monday!

There should be a box to tick at the left side of the deleted files in question through which you'd be able to mark more than one files to permanently delete (if needed that is). 

I was able to select them by hitting Ctrl + A on my deleted files page - have you tried this by any chance yet? (if you're on a Mac device it would be Command + A) 

Just note that deleted and permanently deleted files don't count against your storage quota. Permanently deleting files after they have already been deleted doesn't free any more space in your Dropbox.

For Dropbox Basic (free) and Plus users, deleted files are permanently deleted after 30 days. If you have a Dropbox Professional or Business account, files are permanently deleted after 120 days.

If you move a file, then permanently delete it, the version of that file from its previous location will appear in the deleted files page. You can then permanently delete this version.

I hope this information helps and please let me know if you have any questions!

[PJChatman]

[I was able to select them by hitting Ctrl + A on my deleted files page - have you tried this by any chance yet? (if you're on a Mac device it would be Command + A) 

[Lusil]

Hi there @PJChatman, thanks for reaching out and for taking the time to share your feedback with us. 

I just also wanted to mention that you can have a look at this thread, where other users also proposed the idea of a "select all" button for the deleted files page. 

Have a look and feel free to comment and upvote the idea. 

In the meantime, if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to get back to us. Cheers!

[PJChatman]

If you actually READ my question you would have LEARNED that the solution provided by Walter DOES NOT WORK.

[the browser does not allow Ctrl-A to select all the files (from the list), just all the text on the (web) page]

You CANNOT USE CTRL-A from a browser, and there is no option to do so in the Android app.

So, thank you, but you have not answered the question.

The answer is: there is no way to select all of the deleted files from Deleted Files page from either the browser or Andriod app.

Thank you.

Have a nice day.

PJC

[Eriknorway01]

If you select top file in deleted folder, scroll down and press Shift and select, at least 21 files are selected, one full page. At least a little bit better then selecting file by file. Too bad there is not built in a select all option. But google disc and google photo is worse, anyway... best of luck... Erik

[PJChatman]

@Eriknorway01 

Thanks, and this is what I've come to learn.

Sigh.

I mean, Yahoo! Mail (back in 1996!!!)  and Hotmail (before MS bought it) figured it out. I don't understand why Dropbox and Google (with GMail)  just don't get onboard with the "Select All" way of doing things. UGG!

Paul

[Eriknorway01]

Spot on, totally agree. On google disc it is possible to shift-click at the bottom of the listing to select all, unfortunately, with all the files I have backed up, the system cannot handle if you scroll too far. Syncing is not straight forward either.... I use iDrive, Box, OneDrive privat and business. Have a look at www.sync.com, not too bad. I also have three accounts on www.degoo.com - 100 Gbyte free per user, max 500 files upload and you need to login once a month to keep accounts active. I also have iCloud and Norwegian unlimited cloud storage called Min Sky... not any good but have uploaded almost 10 thousand pictures.... I have managed to crisscross syncing across all platforms... nightmare. 

Used google archive request function to get zip files of google disc and photos, obviously could only choose one format, for example word or pdf, jpg or png etc. Furthermore, after going through a long questionnaire google informs the user it will take hours or even days before you will receive the links to download what you tagged... obviously that never happens... just had to get my frustration out :)))) Have a great weekend.... fighting cloud storage....he he

[JamoSmoove]

The "solution" provided does not solve the problem, unfortunately.