You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.
Forum Discussion
t84a
3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Deleting files does not free up space
I deleted about half of my files and then permanently deleted them in the "Deleted Files" section. It still says I'm about out of space. Is there something else I need to do?
It was my SMS backup program. All solved.
- MarkSuper User II
Deleted files do not use up quota, so, permanenetly deleting them makes no difference and wont impact quota.
It also doesnt matter how many you delete its how BIG the are that is the issue. You could delete 100,000 files but if that only uses up 2kb of space then thats all that will be reduced from quota.
- t84aNew member | Level 2
Thanks. To clarify, I deleted roughly half of my data and the amount used did not change.
- MarkSuper User II
Where did you delete from? Did you remove them from www.dropbox.com/home as well? (i.e. if you did it on your computer have you given it time to sync to the cloud?)
What is www.dropbox.com/account showing - its possible that shared folders are using it up.
- LausExplorer | Level 3
Hello
DB says that I've finished the space (70gb used on 9gb !!)
I've emptied the space, disconnected all the accounts, permanently remove deleted files, but it is still warning that the space i exausted (now 67gb over 9gb).
Is there something that I can do to force refresh of checking space usage?
Thanks
- RichSuper User II
Laus wrote:
Is there something that I can do to force refresh of checking space usage?
Space is reclaimed immediately when files are deleted. No need to permanently delete them. What does your Plan page show for usage? This is the true status of your account. If it shows that you're using 67 GB, then you're still using 67 GB somewhere in your account. Remember that shared folders you're a member of count against your storage as well. The Plan page will show you a breakdown of regular versus shared files.
- LausExplorer | Level 3
It says only regular files, not shared but I deleted ALL files and folders!
- Mish1New member | Level 2
I deleted lots of files in hope of increasing my storage space but all that seems to have happened is that my storage space as diminished further (I have permanently deleted them too). Does anyone know how to free up storage? TIA
- Mish1New member | Level 2
All sorted, using the past community posts. I didn't find these until after I posted my own thread. Sorry!
- Cressida DowneyExplorer | Level 3
I have deleted files etc that I do not need and shared files, but it is still not freeing up storage
- HannahDropbox Staff
Hey Cressida Downey, thanks for taking the time to post to the Dropbox Community.
Can you take a look and send us a screenshot of what you see in the plan tab of your account settings?
Does it show what kind of files are taking up your space?
- Cressida DowneyExplorer | Level 3
Thanks Hannah, please see screenshot attached
- jrbartlettjrExplorer | Level 4
I have deleted >1Mb of files and images BUT the file usage number remains the same. How long must I wait for the file usage to calibrate and show me the correct number??
- jrbartlettjrExplorer | Level 4
oops, meant to write >1Gb of files and images deleted.
- jrbartlettjrExplorer | Level 4
Note: Just found the space where deleted files are deleted permanently. The file usage number was reduced only a small amount, not relative to the actual amount of file usage I deleted.
About Delete, edit, and organize
Solve issues with deleting, editing, and organizing files and folders in your Dropbox account with support from the Dropbox Community.
Need more support
If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.
For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.
If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!