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

Paulgi's avatar
Paulgi
Helpful | Level 6
8 years ago

Dropbox is up to date but still draining all my bandwidth

i've been using dropbox without any problems in the last 5 years, it was my main cloud, but suddenly it started to drain all my bandwidth,  unabling me to use my internet service, even when it was up...
Sync
  • Paulgi's avatar
    Paulgi
    7 years ago

    not in the last 2 weeks. i'm still on a place with a poor internet connection for one more week, i hope it doesn't start again soon.

Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
Hi again, we’re sorry to hear about this issue. 
 
Generally the Dropbox desktop application updates whenever it is needed, and closing the app doesn’t technically stop it, since other processes are running in the background.
 
Running the task manager on your PC should allow you to see the hidden processes, and you can close any Dropbox-related ones. This should stop the downloading, though note you’ll need to do each time you boot up your device as those settings aren’t saved.
 
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Dropbox desktop application cannot tell if you’re on a metered connection, using a cellular device via a hotspot, WiFi or ethernet to connect to the web. All it can see is that you have an internet connection, and so it begins to sync, download and indeed update the app itself.
 
Metered connections need to be setup through the OS itself, and depending on what features are available there, it could block apps from using the web during certain times. Other third party apps might also be able to help.
 
Since you haven’t said which version of Windows you’re using, I’m not sure if this will help, but you can enable a metered connection from the Windows settings using the steps on their site.
 
Hopefully this info should help you in future!
Paulgi's avatar
Paulgi
Helpful | Level 6
7 years ago
I'm using Windows 10 Pro 64bit with metered connection turned on in the OS settings.
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    Thanks for posting your thoughts & additional details on your configuration here Paulgi, I understand the importance of the feature to you & I’d happily pass your interest & feedback up the ladder for future reference!
     
    At this point let me re-iterate that the Dropbox Updater process must exist on any computer on which Dropbox has been installed & the desktop application will notify you if the helper process is unable to check for updates; i.e. this process must be allowed to run if you wish to install and use the Dropbox desktop application on that particular device. As my colleague has also mentioned above, this should run regardless of the network you’re currently connected on. 
     
    I hope this clarifies matters in more depth & please let me know in this discussion in case you need further assistance. Thanks again & I’m wishing you a great Monday ahead! 
    • Paulgi's avatar
      Paulgi
      Helpful | Level 6
      7 years ago

      so what now? just 2 weeks ago i had a lot of problems with Dropbox application due to an unwanted forced update in a system correctly setup for a metered connection.

      i spent a few days without being able to use the internet because Dropbox was draining all my bandwidth, but i managed to complete the update. now it started again draing all my bandwidth like a virus.

      since i wasn't expecting any large file to be shared when i'm on a place with a bad internet connection, i went to check and... again, the ridiculous update started.

      i really like Dropbox, but this stupid auto update is higly incompetent. just add some option for those with poor internet conection to stop the ridiculous update. anyway, i can't even understand why i need a **bleep** update every 2 weeks in an application that was working fine and only fails when it is updating.

      the auto update is the only thing that is like a bug. fix it please. it's hideous.

      • Paulgi's avatar
        Paulgi
        Helpful | Level 6
        7 years ago
        this is insane. i just killed the stupid update on my task manager and the **bleep** thing just restarts while i was typing. what a horrible virus!

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