Uninstall dropbox, or delete my account, but keep my files

If you decide that you don’t want the dropbox app on your computer anymore, you can uninstall it, but watch out for somethings. The most important thing is to not lose any of your files. 

 

Important: If you’re dealing with a Computer Backup mess (desktop downloads and document folders issues) don’t uninstall or delete anything until you read my pro tips on my post here. 

 

1. For non computer backup issues, if you want to keep all your files on your website account only, and remove the desktop app and all your dropbox files from your computer only, make sure that you can see/find all your files in your online account. Check that syncing on the desktop app shows up to date, and also have a look online just to double check. Then sign out of the desktop app, and unlink your computer, and uninstall the desktop app like this https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/uninstall-dropbox. If you want to delete the dropbox folder and files that are on your computer now, you can, and it will not affect your online files because the two are not linked any more 😉 

2. If you want to delete your online files or delete your dropbox account, but keep all your files on your computer, you need to make sure that all your stuff actually is on your computer first. 

• Make sure that syncing is upto date, and check your computer’s dropbox folder to make sure that all your files and folders have the green check on them (this means that they are synced to your computer). 
  
  
• It’s a good idea to check your Selective Sync settings to make sure that you have not excluded any folders from syncing to your computer. These would only be visible online, and NOT visible on your computer’s dropbox folder. Have a look at my post here for more selective sync information.
  
  
• If you have a paid account, and are using Smart Sync (see here for more info), you must make sure that all your dropbox folder’s files on your computer are Local, and not online-only. Smart synced files WILL show in your computer’s folder but this will only be a place holder and not the actual file. To make them local check here https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/smart-sync. 
  
  
• Be Careful: If you delete your account before making sure that all your selective sync and smart sync files are ON your computer, you will lose them forever. Again, take your time and READ. When you are 100% sure that all your files are saved on your computer, you can then sign out, unlink, and delete your account. 

3. A short note about shared files. If you delete your account, the files you have in shared folders will still remain available to other members of the shared folders. If you don’t want them to have access anymore, remember to remove your files from those shared folders. If the folder was yours, and you shared it to them, you can Unshare it (here’s how https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/share/unshare-folder) so it will be removed for all other members. 

 

4. If you know that someone who shared a folder/files with you will be deleting their account, or you just want to make sure that you don’t lose access to those files, make a copy (see https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/duplicate-files) of the shared folder in your account. This new folder will be yours and not shared with anyone unless you share it. 

 

😎