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Forum Discussion
mike52487
7 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Smart Sync enabled still taking up hard-drive space!
I noticed others have had this issue, but I have some files selected as "online only" via smart sync and they are still taking up space on my hard drive, causing my mac to tell me I'm running out of ...
- 7 years ago
Hey there mike52487 - sorry to hear about this.
As you might know, there are various places to see the size of a file in Finder. Some of these locations will display the logical size, others the physical size. A Smart Sync placeholder takes up approximately 0kb, this is the pysical size. The logical size of the file is the actual size of the file, if it were downloaded to the device. Is it possible that this is what you're seeing in your default "Documents" folder?
To see both the logical and physical file size:
- Right click on a file/folder
- Select 'Get info'
- In the properties window you will see the original file size, followed by the actual on-disk size:For example:428,510 bytes (0 KB on disk)
It is important to be able to view both sizes, not just to reassure you that the file is not taking up space, but also to understand the space and speed implications of returning the file(s).
In other views of Finder, your Mac's OS will report the logical size. For this reason you shouldn't be concerned if it initially appears that the placeholder is taking up space. To confirm the file or folder is not taking up space, please check via the above steps.
I hope this helps and let me know what you find Mike. Oh, and happy Monday!
Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey there mike52487 - sorry to hear about this.
As you might know, there are various places to see the size of a file in Finder. Some of these locations will display the logical size, others the physical size. A Smart Sync placeholder takes up approximately 0kb, this is the pysical size. The logical size of the file is the actual size of the file, if it were downloaded to the device. Is it possible that this is what you're seeing in your default "Documents" folder?
To see both the logical and physical file size:
- Right click on a file/folder
- Select 'Get info'
- In the properties window you will see the original file size, followed by the actual on-disk size:
For example:428,510 bytes (0 KB on disk)
It is important to be able to view both sizes, not just to reassure you that the file is not taking up space, but also to understand the space and speed implications of returning the file(s).
In other views of Finder, your Mac's OS will report the logical size. For this reason you shouldn't be concerned if it initially appears that the placeholder is taking up space. To confirm the file or folder is not taking up space, please check via the above steps.
I hope this helps and let me know what you find Mike. Oh, and happy Monday!
mike52487
7 years agoExplorer | Level 3
That was the issue! Thank you, Walter.
- hudsona5 years agoNew member | Level 2
Hi Mike,
I'm having the same issue that you originally posted about, however, I don't see how Walter's response would help in the case of your macbook telling you you're running out of space (Like mine currently is!!) How did this solve that issue? I'm somewhat computer savvy but definitely not an expert and I need this problem solved asap for work purposes!!
Thanks in advance! - Walter7 years agoDropbox Staff
Glad I could help Mike!
Should you need anything else in the future, just let me know.
Thanks for using Dropbox and have a wonderful day ahead mike52487!
- ennik10096 years agoNew member | Level 2
Walter,
Does this mean that even though the Mac shows full logical storage that downloads are still able to take place? If everything is set to online only, and there is actually plenty of storage.
Thanks,
Sam
- Walter6 years agoDropbox Staff
I can't be sure about this as I don't have much info at the moment Sam - could you share a screenshot of where you spotted the discrepancy so I can have a better look into this?
While you're at it, could you also tell me your desktop app's exact status?
Thanking you in advance ennik1009 !
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