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How to Delete and Remove Folders in Your Dropbox Cloud Storage

Dropbox is one of the most popular cloud storage services, offering secure and convenient ways to store, access, and share files online. With easy-to-use desktop and mobile apps, you can sync files across all your devices.

However, over time you may accumulate folders and files you no longer need. Deleting unnecessary content can help free up storage space and keep your account organized. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to delete folders from Dropbox, either temporarily or permanently.

Delete a Folder Temporarily

When you delete a folder in Dropbox, it gets moved to the Deleted files folder and can be restored within 30 days (or more depending on your account type). Here’s how to temporarily delete a folder:

On the Dropbox Website

  1. Log in to dropbox.com
  2. Hover over the folder name and click the “…” icon
  3. Select Delete
  4. Confirm by clicking Delete again

On the Desktop App

  1. Open your Dropbox folder
  2. Right-click on the folder and select Delete (Windows) or Move to Trash (Mac)

On Mobile

  1. Open the Dropbox mobile app
  2. Tap on the “…” icon next to the folder name
  3. Tap on Delete

The folder will be removed from the Files page but can still be restored from the Deleted files folder within your account recovery period.

Permanently Delete a Folder

To permanently delete a folder from Dropbox:

  1. On dropbox.com, go to Deleted files
  2. Check the box next to the folder name
  3. Click Permanently delete

Permanently deleted files and folders cannot be recovered, so only do this if you’re absolutely certain.

Remove a Shared Folder

If someone shared a folder with you that you no longer need access to, you can remove it from your account. Here’s how:

Temporarily Remove Access

  1. Hover over the folder name and click the share icon
  2. Click Who can access
  3. Next to your name, click Remove my access

You can ask the folder owner to reshare it with you later if needed.

Permanently Leave a Shared Folder

  1. Hover over the folder and click the share icon
  2. Click Who can access beneath the folder name
  3. Next to your name, click the dropdown menu and select Remove my access

Once removed, you won’t be able to access that folder unless the owner sends you another invitation.

Delete Empty Folders

If you have a lot of leftover empty folders cluttering up your Dropbox, here are a couple ways to delete them all at once:

  • On dropbox.com:
    • Click your profile picture > Settings > Delete empty folders
  • On desktop:
    • Right-click on Dropbox folder > Settings > Delete empty folders

This will clean up all the folders that only contain subfolders without deleting the subfolders themselves or any files.

Use the Desktop App to Organize Folders

The Dropbox desktop app makes it easy to organize or mass delete folders right from your hard drive:

  • To move a local folder: Drag and drop into another folder
  • To delete multiple folders: Ctrl + Click (Windows) or Command + Click (Mac) to select multiple folders, then right-click and delete
  • To create folders: Right-click on Dropbox folder > New folder

Any changes made to folders in your local Dropbox folder will sync across linked devices.

Manage Shared Folders

As the owner of a shared folder, you have full control over who has access. Here are some key things you can do:

  • Remove individual members
  • Change permissions from edit to view-only access
  • Disable shared link
  • Unshare the folder entirely

Simply right-click on the folder, click Share, and manage settings from there.

Use Smart Sync

With Smart Sync, you can control which folders sync to your hard drive to optimize storage space. It’s available for Dropbox Professional or Business plans.

To remove a folder from syncing locally:

  1. Right-click folder > Sync settings
  2. Toggle to Online-only

The folder will still be accessible from dropbox.com and mobile but won’t take up space on your hard drive.

Check Usage and Storage

To view your overall storage usage:

  • On dropbox.com: Click profile picture > Settings > Account
  • On desktop app: Top right corner > Get space details

This will show storage used versus available. You can then sort folders by size to see which are taking up the most space.

Get More Storage Space

If you’re still low on space after deleting folders, consider these options to upgrade your storage:

  • Refer friends to earn up to 16 GB free
  • Complete the getting started checklist for easy bonuses
  • Upgrade to a paid plan like Dropbox Plus (2 TB) or Professional (3 TB)
  • Purchase extra storage if on an Advanced team plan

With smart folder management and selective syncing, you can store over 2 TB of files in Dropbox while only taking up minimal hard drive space. Follow these tips to keep your cloud storage organized.

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