Deleting Files from Dropbox

[Avocado-Mike]

My Dropbox is full. I have many large video and audio files in there that I would like to delete. I already store these on the hard drive of my computer where there is copious storage. Can I delete files on Dropbox without deleting its counterpart on my computer?

[Walter]

Hi there @Avocado-Mike - thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to the Community!
 

When you say you already store those files on your computer's hard drive, are you referring to your Dropbox folders or another locations perhaps?

If it's the former, the deletions will be synced across your devices and the website too.

I hope this helps!

[Avocado-Mike]

Hi Walter,

The folders/files in question are stored on my hard drive: on the C drive, not the Dropbox folder. The Dropbox folder on my C drive does not have the folder/files I deleted from Dropbox in the cloud.

Will the Folders/files that I delete in the cloud also be deleted from my C drive?

Will they correspondingly be deleted from the Dropbox folder on my C drive?

Is that how this works?

Thanks,

Michael

[Walter]

Only the files and folders that are stored in your Dropbox folder will be affected by this as the desktop app will sync your changes, Michael. 

I hope this clarifies!

[Avocado-Mike]

Hello Again Walter,

I think I've got it. But one more question.

If I alter, delete or add files/folders on my Dropbox folder on my C drive, will that make corresponding changes (sync) on my Dropbox in the cloud? If so, I presume I don't have to copy and paste from my C drive onto my Dropbox in the cloud. Is that so?

I also presume that, if I make changes on my standard (non-Dropbox) files on my C-drive, they won't affect my Dropbox folder either in the cloud or on my C-drive. If I want those changes to sync to my Dropbox, I will need to copy and paste from my C-drive to my Dropbox. Is that correct?

Thanks Again,

Michael

Michael

[Walter · Accepted solution]

You're correct on both of your remarks, Michael. 

Let me know if you have any follow up questions!