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SortedByName's avatar
SortedByName
Helpful | Level 5
4 months ago
Solved

Issues with downloading big files through a shared link

I uploaded some big files to Dropbox and installed a public link allowing download of them. When I sign out and pretend to be the public trying to download them it says they are too big to download and require transfer to a Dropbox account. If they're not to big to UPLOAD how can they be too big for the public to DOWNLOAD? I need to make these big files available to the public without risking a DDoS attack on my server. 

  • Okay, it seems I overlooked when it keeps inviting the end-user to sign up or log in, there is also an option to continue with the download without a Dropbox account. It's easy to overlook. 

5 Replies

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  • SortedByName's avatar
    SortedByName
    Helpful | Level 5
    4 months ago

    Unlike most commercial genealogy websites, I allow the public to download the public datafiles at [removed by moderator as per Community Guidelines]. The sheer size of the Social Security NUMIDENT files, which provide lots of valuable genealogy clues, required me to house them on DropBox  instead of on my website. I ordered the data from the National Archives and I posted it on my website so anyone can use them.

  • Theresa's avatar
    Theresa
    Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager
    4 months ago

    Hi there SortedByName​  and welcome to the Dropbox Community. I’m really happy to hear things are working properly again and thank you for coming back to let us know how it went. It’s always helpful when someone shares their update, especially with file downloads.

    Since you’re working with large files and shared links, I’d love to know.. what kind of projects are you typically using Dropbox for? Always curious to hear how folks are using it in their day to day.

    Looking forward to hearing more,

    T😸 (Dropbox Community Manager)

  • SortedByName's avatar
    SortedByName
    Helpful | Level 5
    4 months ago

    Okay, it seems I overlooked when it keeps inviting the end-user to sign up or log in, there is also an option to continue with the download without a Dropbox account. It's easy to overlook. 

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    4 months ago

    Hey SortedByName - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

    Could you clarify the size of the files or folders you're trying to download and send us a screenshot of the exact error you're getting so that we can have a visual too?

    Thank you. 

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