How to Recover Dropbox Deleted Files on Windows and Mac

Losing important files can be really stressful, but don't worry - there's still a chance to recover them. In this detailed guide, we'll look at different ways to get back deleted files from Dropbox, whether you're using a Windows or Mac computer.

We'll talk about using Dropbox's own recovery options and also using special software to recover files that have been permanently deleted.

By the end of this article, you'll know how to find and recover files deleted from Dropbox, so you can get your important data back.

Deleted Files on DropBox? Here’s What Happens Next.

Before we dive into the recovery methods, it's essential to understand what happens when you delete a file from Dropbox:

• When you delete a file from your Dropbox folder, it's not immediately erased from Dropbox's servers.
• Deleted files are moved to a special "Deleted files" folder within your Dropbox account.
• Files in the "Deleted files" folder are kept for 30 days for Basic (free) accounts and 180 days for Dropbox Plus, Professional, and Business accounts.
• After this retention period, files are permanently deleted from Dropbox's servers.
• Deleting a file from Dropbox also removes it from all synced devices.
• Shared files are removed from other users' Dropbox folders when deleted by the owner.

3 Simple Methods to Recover Permanently Deleted Dropbox Files in 30 Days

If you need to get back files you deleted from Dropbox within the last 30 days, there are a few ways to do it. Here are the three main ways:

Now, here’s a detailed guide on using each method.

Method 1: Recover Deleted Dropbox File from Dropbox "Deleted files" Folder

This is the easiest and most straightforward way to recover files deleted from Dropbox. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Go to the Dropbox website and log in to your account. Click on "Files" in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Look for the "Deleted files" option in the left sidebar and click on it. Browse through the deleted files and folders to find the one you want to recover.

Step 3: Once you've found the file, click on the "..." button next to it. Select "Restore" from the dropdown menu.

And that’s it! After following these steps your files will be restored to their original location in your Dropbox folder. This method is perfect for quickly retrieving files on Dropbox that were recently deleted.

Method 2: Recover Deleted Dropbox Files on Dropbox Rewind

Dropbox Rewind is a feature available for Dropbox Plus, Professional, and Business accounts. It allows you to restore your entire Dropbox folder or account to a previous state. This is particularly useful if you've accidentally deleted multiple files or folders. Here's how to use Dropbox Rewind:

Step 1: Open DropBox and enter your user ID and password to log in. Click on "Files" in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Click on the three dots (...) next to your account name. Select "Rewind this folder”.

Step 3: Choose the date and time you want to rewind to. Review the changes that will be made. Click "Continue" and then "Rewind" to confirm.

Remember that using Rewind will undo all changes made after the selected point in time, so use this feature carefully.

Method 3: Recover Dropbox Files from Cache

If the previous methods don't work, you might be able to recover Dropbox deleted files from your device's cache. This method is more technical and not guaranteed to work, but it's worth a try if you're desperate to recover files on Dropbox.

Here's how:

For Windows:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and go to C:\Users[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Dropbox\ Look for a folder named "instance1" or similar.

Step 2: Inside this folder, you'll find cached versions of your Dropbox files. Copy the files you need to recover to a different location.

For Mac:

Step 1: Open Finder and go to /Library/Application Support/Dropbox/

Step 2: Look for a folder with a long string of numbers and letters. Inside this folder, you'll find cached versions of your Dropbox files. Copy the files you need to recover to a different location.

Note: This method can be hit-or-miss, as the cache is regularly cleared and updated. However, it's worth trying if you're looking to recover files deleted from Dropbox and other methods have failed.

How to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Dropbox after 30 Days

If more than 30 days (or 180 days for paid accounts) have passed since you deleted your files, they're no longer available through Dropbox's built-in recovery options. At this point, your best bet is to use specialized data recovery software. One such tool is Recoverit Data Recovery Software.

Using Recoverit to Recover Permanently Deleted Files on Dropbox

Recoverit is a powerful data recovery tool that can help you retrieve files from Dropbox even after they've been permanently deleted. Here's an overview of Recoverit's capabilities:

Now, let's go through the step-by-step process of using Recoverit to recover permanently deleted Dropbox files:

Step 1: Install Recoverit Data Recovery Software on your computer. Launch the program and select the drive where your Dropbox folder is located. Click "Start".

Step 2: Wait for the scan to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of your drive. Once the scan is finished, browse through the recovered files.

Step 3: Use the file preview feature to ensure you're recovering the correct files. Select the files you want to recover and click "Recover."

Step 4: Choose a destination folder to save the recovered files (make sure it's not within your Dropbox folder). Wait for the recovery process to complete.

By following these steps, you have a chance to recover files deleted from Dropbox even after they've been permanently removed from Dropbox's servers.

Tips & Notes for saving files on Dropbox to avoid data loss

To minimize the risk of losing important files in the future, consider these tips for using Dropbox:

• Enable Dropbox's version history feature to keep multiple versions of your files.
• Regularly back up your Dropbox folder to an external drive or another cloud service.
• Be cautious when deleting files, especially shared folders.
• Use the Dropbox selective sync feature to ensure important folders are always synced across devices.
• Consider upgrading to a paid Dropbox account for extended file retention and additional features.
• Familiarize yourself with Dropbox's recovery options before you need them.
• Use descriptive Image names and organize your folders to easily locate files.
• Take advantage of Dropbox's offline access feature to always have important files available.
• Regularly review and clean up your Dropbox to avoid accidental deletions of important files.
• Educate team members on proper file management if using Dropbox for collaboration.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of losing important files and make the process of retrieving files from Dropbox much easier if needed.

Conclusion

Losing important files can be stressful, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can often recover Dropbox deleted files. Whether you're using the built-in "Deleted files" folder, Dropbox Rewind, or specialized recovery software like Recoverit, there are multiple ways to find deleted files in Dropbox and restore them.

Remember to act quickly and follow the preventive measures to minimize data loss in the future.