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Deleting files
Hi. I have very basic IT knowledge. Using my laptop DB offered to upload all my files. I have 2GB free plan. I hit OK but it quickly filled my small plan. I don't want to upgrade. During process I was informed that deleting from DB automatically deletes from everywhere. But now I want to go back to only saving photos but don't want to loose what files I have on my laptop. I think I only have the choice of cancelling out of DB. Is there any other way? Am I correct that deleting from DB will delete from my laptop?
- The steps I listed are on the official article for computer backup, which was provided in the original reply from my colleague.
Once you disable computer backup, you'll get the option to 'Keep content in folders on this PC/Mac', which will move the folders and files back to their previous locations. This will also delete them from the Dropbox account online to free up space there.
12 Replies
Hi Walter. I tried to follow your suggestions and couldn't find the relevant tabs or "manage" areas described. I then enlisted assistance from a friend who has dealt with Dropbox for many years and he couldn't do anything that we believed was safe. There just weren't the options available. We uninstalled the desktop app and reinstalled with no benefit. He spent in excess of 2 hours on it to no avail and couldn't believe how "not user friendly" drop box is if you have an issue. He has a very experienced Tech guy he will query this issue with but is beginning to believe it is un-fixable.
If you have other suggestions I would love to hear them. I am quite concerned I could loose everything, which has happened to others according to other community posts. Bev
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
I'm sorry for the late reply, Bev. Are you still having issues with this?
If so, please let me know where you stand at the moment and we'll pick it up from there. - Hi Walter. I am no further advanced than my last msg to you. The super smart tech guy wasn't able to shed any light my problem. My drop box has stopped syncing because it is still full and I keep getting dropbox notifications to pay for upgraded account storage, at a cost. I just don't know what to do so that I don't loose everything. At the moment my options seem to be 1) pretend I don't have drop box or 2) pay the cost to upgrade for one year in the hope I can then access the option to back out of drop box and find another storage and sharing option that is user friendly. Bev
- WalterCan you send me a screenshot of what's troubling you at the moment so that I can have a visual too, Bev?
Hi Walter. It all started when I got a drop box notification asking if I wanted to back up my "desktop". in my ignorance I didn't think about the amount of space this would require and said ok. Drop box then started uploading EVERYTHING until my 2gb was full. Now I want to go back to just backing up photos and documents as it was. But it seems that if I start deleting from drop box it deletes from my laptop automatically. On my login page under General there is a delete account. If I do that will my files and photos be scrubbed from my laptop as well? I don't know how to upload a screenshot to this page as you requested. It wants URLs etc that is not within the scope of my expertise. But I don't think that would show you anything other than "my account has stopped syncing because my 2gb was full. If I use the "Delete my account" in my account General page, Does that delete everything from my laptop?
Bev
- WalterThanks for the additional details, Bev - they definitely help paint a clearer picture of the issue at hand.
I wouldn't recommend deleting your account. At this point, you'll need to disable the computer backup feature first and then delete any files you don't want to keep in your Dropbox account to make up some quota.
Before disabling computer backup, please note the following:
A. You must have the Dropbox desktop application installed to turn off computer backup. If you've already uninstalled the desktop application, please re-install it to proceed.
B. Deleting the files or folders in “My PC” or “My Mac” will delete those files from both Dropbox and your computer as you noticed.
To turn off computer backup:
1. Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray/ menu bar.
2. Click your profile picture or initials.
3. Click Preferences.
4. Click the Backups tab.
5. Click Manage backup.
6. Click Disable backup.
7. Choose Keep content in folders on this PC/Mac or Leave content in Dropbox.
8. Click Disable backup.
9. You may be asked to allow the application to restart Finder/Explorer; click Allow. Once the backup has been stopped, click Close.
If you have chosen to "Keep content in folders on this Mac/PC," then your files and folders will be available in their respective locations on your computer.
If you have chosen to "Leave content in Dropbox," your files will remain in your Dropbox account, in the Dropbox folder on your computer, dropbox.com, and anywhere you use Dropbox.
However, they will no longer appear in their original folders on your computer. In those locations, they’ll be replaced by a shortcut to the Dropbox folder.
Please note, you can drag-and-drop those files from the Dropbox folder back to their original folders, at any time.
Let me know how it goes! - Hi Walter. OK I am half way there. I can get through to step 5. Manage backup. But what comes up is headed "backup your pc automatically" with tick boxes under "PC" for - desktop ticked - documents ticked - then downloads, music, pictures, videos unticked. THAT'S all. No option to disable backup. What happens if I untick the desktop box?
- Hi Jay. Thank you. This seems too easy after everything I've been trying. Can you please promise this won't delete anything from my pc. and will all my files be as they were on my pc and not saved under "drop box"
