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Forum Discussion

Aloha1's avatar
Aloha1
Explorer | Level 4
2 years ago

How can I stop the automatic syncing of files?

I never intentionally wanted to synch files to Dropbox. I only needed it to receive from clients. Now my Dropbox is overfilled and I want to clear out space to use for new files sent to me. Also, If I delete from Dropbox, does it also delete these files from my computer? I am not computer savvy and am overwhelmed and very frustrated with this. Please someone help.

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi there Aloha1, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

     

    Can you please let me know what exactly is reported in your plan tab in regards to your quota?

     

    Also, when you say you synced your files to Dropbox, did you copy or move those files into your Dropbox folder while the desktop app was running and syncing or maybe you used the Dropbox Backup feature?

     

    Do you maybe see any files or folders taking up a lot of space in your homepage or the backups page?

     

    When it comes to deleting your files from Dropbox, are you going to be doing it via the website or maybe through the desktop app by moving those files out of your Dropbox folder?

     

    Let me know what you find and we'll take it from there. 

    • Aloha1's avatar
      Aloha1
      Explorer | Level 4

      So glad to her from someone. I am at a total loss with this. I only began Dropbox because I was told it would be easier for a client to sent me files. But I no longer work with him. I do have another client who sends the occasional file but that's it. I have the free version, 2GB but it seems that Dropbox had automatically synced with my computer and now there is a file "Documents" 4.65GB that put me over my limit and I am unable to receive the tiny file from my client. I never transferred or synced anything intentionally. I seemed to be fine in the past but in the last year, at some point I was receiving notices that I was over my limit and to Upgrade. I have no intention or need to upgrade. My question is, not knowing what or how these things are connected, can I just delete something from Dropbox to free up space as I hope it won't delete these same documents/files on my computer. Please advise. thank you.

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

        Hi Aloha1, since you mentioned the Documents folder, it sounds like you enabled the computer backup feature. 

         

        Could you try disabling it using these steps to help free up the space on your Dropbox account?

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