cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Announcements
Want to learn some quick and useful tips to make your day easier? Check out how Calvin uses Replay to get feedback from other teams at Dropbox here.

Dropbox ideas

Got an idea for Dropbox? We want to hear it. Our team will review the top voted ideas, so share them here!

Got an idea for Dropbox? We want to hear it. Our team will review the top voted ideas, so share them here!

cancel
Showing results for 
Show  only  | Search instead for 
Did you mean: 

Preventing folders from being moved

Preventing folders from being moved

David G.14
New member | Level 2

Looking for a way, as admin to a shared folder which contains sub-folders, to keep other team members from accidentally moving those sub-folders. Part of it is education: novices do not grasp that by moving a folder to their desktop (for whatever reason) they are moving it out of DB and visibility to the rest of the team. This has occurred a few times, and as the team grows, it would be better if admin could lock a folder's POSITION. Probably would be a benefit to keep the folders from being renamed, but that is less likely to happen. Users should still be able to freely work with and move files as needed within the locked-position folders. Maybe there is a way to do this that I'm not aware of. Third party folder manager (those I reviewed are focused on encrypting, password protecting and/or hiding folders)? Any advice would be appreciated.

Latest Update
Walter
Dropbox Staff
This idea has been closed as it has reached the end of the Share an Idea process.
 
Thank you for your suggestion, and if you have another idea to share, please do! 
Status changed to: Closed
45 Comments
NutritionNut
Helpful | Level 6

Yes, this would be extremely helpful, as it's a recurring issue with major group-wide ramifications. I basically haven't been able to work all day because someone did that this morning and files are getting resynced.

 

Paul Camilleri
New member | Level 2

Certain folders are sometimes deleted or edited by mistake.  To avoid this, could there be an option controlled by the administrator only, and only from the dropnbox portal. 

 

Thus if a file is locked it would be only available as a  readable file to all including the owner (administrator). 

 

This will prevent any accidental deletion or changing by all and including the owner (administrator). 

 

If the owner (administrator) wishes to change or delete, he/she can

1. unlock the folder via Dropbox portal 

2. amend as needed from pc

3. re-lock via portal 

 

On so doing the folder would be totally defended from accidental change or deletion by owner (administrator)  or shared user.

pipesdigital
New member | Level 2

We desperately need this too. Every month or so we have a folder drag/dropped with tons of files in it to another folder accidently. It's a big pain and a drag on productivity. Dropbox REALLY needs a way to protect folders from being moved or deleted, while still allowing users to add files, edit files, etc within that folder. 

Frank P.14
Explorer | Level 4

A long running problem. Moving folders when using tacking pads is sliding your finger across the pad and picking up a folder accidentally and dropping it somewhere without knowing. Can take days to sort. This can be prevented by a code in the computer but it would be better in my view to stop people moving files/folders unless they are the controller.

Another issue I have is when some bright soul moves files I have set up because they think they know better. Grrrr!

w_l
Helpful | Level 5

My org really really needs this feature

Paul Camilleri
New member | Level 2

Hello All,

 

"Needs more Votes"   -   cannot understand why a perfectly good suggestion which every one in the blog agrees that, IT IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT accidental position change or delete change, needs more votes to be accepted.   If the option is available those needing it, or agreeing with it,  USE IT.  Those who do not need it -    JUST DON'T USE IT.    Please stop postponing a good suggestion because things will only get worse and realise only when it is too late.

bryanm18
Explorer | Level 3

This problem of not being able to lock a folder position is a huge disadvantage of Dropbox within a large organization. In most other aspects, we have really enjoyed our experience with Dropbox, but I can't count how many times a folder has been accidently moved. It takes the IT teams hours to figure out the issue - not to mention you must re-sync folder (which takes even more time).  

 

Dropbox Team - Stop dragging your feet on this feature. It is a major flaw / bug in your system and you need to address it. Please give us an action plan and timeline on when this can be addressed. Paid users on business accounts should not have to feel like this is something that will never change. Please don't just ignore it or tell me that you will "give it as feedback" to your dev team - you might as well say, "I don't care." 

 

I love the idea of Dropbox! Most the time, it works like a gem. However, this is might be a deal breaker at some point.. We pay a LOT to use it and need to ensure the efficiency of our folder, file and data structure.

JC_1977
Explorer | Level 4

This needs to happen!!!  We just had a HUGE (and old) folder accidentally moved in our business, and we couldn't even find it for HOURS while the move was occurring.  It has a ton of day-to-day critical information in it, and the accidental move caused a huge disruption in our business.

 

How this isn't a standard feature is beyond me.

ny1979
Explorer | Level 4

it's almost 2022. this issue was requested in 2015. when i had 2 employees the issue of any of them moving a folder accidentally was low, but now have 5 employees, much higher. yet dropbox has no way to prevent this? whenever anyone mentions it the bots respond about file permissions which is different than what this request is seeking.

Anne-s
New member | Level 2

Disappointed this isn't a simple feature that can be turned on to prevent moving folders

Vote for this idea

Like this idea? Vote for it and we will give it the attention it deserves!

51 votes received Status: Closed