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Forum Discussion
Online only files taking up space on Windows
I have an 8Tb drive where I store my dropbox files on my Windows computer and despite setting all files to be 'online only' as well as going to Dropbox preferences and setting select sync to not sync any folders I am still getting the message "Can't sync not enough free space". In my system settings it appears the files are still taking up space on my "Apple" drive where I have drobox downloaded and have set it to sync to (I have less than 200GB of non-dropbox data on that Apple drive).
However, when I use a storage analysis tool like WinDirStat, it doesn't see there being that much space taken up:
Here it shows only 1.4Tb of space being taken up by Dropbox files, and while that should be 0, it's still way less than what my computer system settings believes are on the drive.
I had this problem on my Mac a year ago and solved it by checking the box on the website to not have online files take up hard drive space. I've done the same for my PC. I have unlimited space on my dropbox account. I have updated Dropbox to the latest version (released December 21st 2021). I have read through every relevant online article and forum I could find. So now I am here.
Does anyone know how to solve this? I use dropbox to manage all of my projects and files. I don't have this problem on my Mac Laptop which has the same dropbox account. I am lost suffice to say hah.
When I select "online only" from the right-click menu, nothing happens, the file folders are still available offline which is hogging up all of my storage space and is now at a critical maximum and therefore other important files won't sync.
Now it has finally synced, ("your files are up to date") but only because I have deleted other files on my hard drive.
There is still no change in the files that I have set to "online only" they are still on my hard drive taking up space.
Hello Megan!
Thanks for the quick response.
I believe I have been using Smart Sync (where I would select which folders were local or online only). I selected all of the folders and set them to online only. Then after that wasn't clearing up space, I went to Selective Sync in my settings and unchecked all the folders there.
I see the storage error message when I click on the lil dropbox icon in the computer bar:
- Megan
Dropbox Staff
Thanks for the screenshot, IsaacGaz!
It seems that the Smart or selective sync changes didn't have enough space to take place, hence the error.
Can you try making some space on the hard drive you have the app installed on and then trying to apply the settings again after exiting the app?
- Megan
Hey doppelgaenger_digital, let's jump right into this!
What is the app's syncing status currently? Have you made sure it's up to date?
Also, do you happen to have any screenshots from the WinDirStat stats on your end?
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
Sync Status is up to date and does nothing currently.
Here is a screenshot. That's not the only folder that's showing from dropbox.
- Megan
Hi doppelgaenger_digital, thank you for the screenshot!
Could you send me another one of this particular folder, and the files in it, being online-only, please?
Hello to all of you. I have a pc with 500Gb hard disk memory. All of my file are stored in the Dropbox file and they are available only on line. The size of the stored files on dropbox are 1.6 T. Is it normal to have almost full my Hard disk? I keep getting messages that is almost full (used space 475GB of 510GB). Any suggestions? Thank you all!
- Hannah
Hey archbitis, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
If I understand correctly, you have set all your Dropbox files to be online-only, but they seem to be taking up hard drive space on your PC.
Can you send us a screenshot of your Dropbox folder's Properties showing this, please?
