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Forum Discussion

Avocado-Mike's avatar
Avocado-Mike
Explorer | Level 4
11 months ago

Deleting Files from Dropbox

My Dropbox is full. I have many large video and audio files in there that I would like to delete. I already store these on the hard drive of my computer where there is copious storage. Can I delete f...
Delete
desktop
Dropbox Basic
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    11 months ago

    You're correct on both of your remarks, Michael. 

     

    Let me know if you have any follow up questions!

Walter's avatar
Walter
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

Hi there Avocado-Mike - thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to the Community!
 

When you say you already store those files on your computer's hard drive, are you referring to your Dropbox folders or another locations perhaps?

 

If it's the former, the deletions will be synced across your devices and the website too.

 

I hope this helps!

Avocado-Mike's avatar
Avocado-Mike
Explorer | Level 4
11 months ago

Hi Walter,

 

The folders/files in question are stored on my hard drive: on the C drive, not the Dropbox folder. The Dropbox folder on my C drive does not have the folder/files I deleted from Dropbox in the cloud.

 

Will the Folders/files that I delete in the cloud also be deleted from my C drive?

 

Will they correspondingly be deleted from the Dropbox folder on my C drive?

 

Is that how this works?

 

Thanks,

Michael

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    11 months ago

    Only the files and folders that are stored in your Dropbox folder will be affected by this as the desktop app will sync your changes, Michael. 

     

    I hope this clarifies!

    • Avocado-Mike's avatar
      Avocado-Mike
      Explorer | Level 4
      11 months ago

      Hello Again Walter,

       

      I think I've got it. But one more question.

       

      If I alter, delete or add files/folders on my Dropbox folder on my C drive, will that make corresponding changes (sync) on my Dropbox in the cloud? If so, I presume I don't have to copy and paste from my C drive onto my Dropbox in the cloud. Is that so?

       

      I also presume that, if I make changes on my standard (non-Dropbox) files on my C-drive, they won't affect my Dropbox folder either in the cloud or on my C-drive. If I want those changes to sync to my Dropbox, I will need to copy and paste from my C-drive to my Dropbox. Is that correct?

       

      Thanks Again,

      Michael

      Michael

      • Walter's avatar
        Walter
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        11 months ago

        You're correct on both of your remarks, Michael. 

         

        Let me know if you have any follow up questions!

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