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Forum Discussion
Why do shared files count against my space use???
Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage? Is this data counted twice? If someone who is sharing files with me is paying for this space, why should I have to pay as well just to acc...
dualice wrote:
Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage?
Because the files exist in your account.
When you have access to a shared folder, you're not accessing someone else's folder. You're accessing your own COPY of the folder within your account, and you need to have enough space available to hold that folder.
If you just need to view or download files that someone else is sharing with you, ask them to send you a shared link instead. A shared link is a view-only method of sharing and you don't even need a Dropbox account to access it.
Rich
Super User II
Super User II
dualice wrote:
Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage?
Because the files exist in your account.
When you have access to a shared folder, you're not accessing someone else's folder. You're accessing your own COPY of the folder within your account, and you need to have enough space available to hold that folder.
If you just need to view or download files that someone else is sharing with you, ask them to send you a shared link instead. A shared link is a view-only method of sharing and you don't even need a Dropbox account to access it.
That's completely ridiculous. That is just a way for DropBox to make money off of the same data/space. Sharing is sharing, copying is copying. If I share a file with someone on google drive, google doesn't make a copy of that file, it gives access to the file.
- Mark
dualice correct - to cover the increased costs associated with sharing. But, if Dropbox doesnt make money they go bankrupt and then there is no service to use. It doesnt have the backup of other income streams like Google does to make money to run things at a loss.
Hi Mark,
I appreciate your answer. However, I still think that is a bad implementation. Having to copy files that are really shared is, to me, not a great model. Linux filesystems have mastered the art in allowing other users viewing and editing access to files without copying those files. I can see the extra costs of the "shared" model DropBox has implemented but that can't scale - hence your statement of needing more money.
Thank you.
«If Dropbox doesnt make money they go bankrupt and then there is no service to use» 👉 User shaming isn't necessarily the best way to go on about it 🤣
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey stevengallagher, while we appreciate your feedback, keep in mind that if you'd like to have edit access on a folder, it needs to be added to your account as well, that's why it takes up your space.
If you just want to access a folder, the owner can send you a 'can view' link instead and if you need to upload files to the folder, they can send you a file request.
None of the above require space or even a Dropbox account.
I hope this helps!
I could not agree more, it's simply a structure for them to upsell storage space.
If a user creates a folder and shares it with you, they're the HOST of those files. That storage shouldn't be deducted from your allocated space.
The main reason I refuse to use Dropbox more often.- Rich
mjg88 wrote:
If a user creates a folder and shares it with you, they're the HOST of those files.
But they're not the host. The shared folder exists in your account. You have your own copy of the files so it counts against your storage. It also works this way to prevent people from being able to stack accounts to get unlimited space.
If I upload 100 images to a folder and share them with you, so you can grab a couple then I, the uploader and sharer, are the host.
We may have conflicting opinions but the main reason they do this, is for storage upgrades.
Google structure theirs properly.
