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Forum Discussion

WreckItTim1's avatar
WreckItTim1
Helpful | Level 7
21 days ago

Do files sync to a computer after getting deleted?

Here is the reason I ask:

I have about 10k files in my Dropbox (on web). I am currently syncing with a computer (on desktop), but it says the status is downloading about 800k files. My only guess, is it is some how syncing deleted files as well? Or is it something else, or is my guess correct? I would like a solution to this, because obviously it takes a long time to sync 800k files.

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    WreckItTim1 wrote:

    My only guess, is it is some how syncing deleted files as well?

    Deleted files don't sync. They don't exist on your devices at all. Deleted Files only exist in your account online.

    Does it actually say downloading? If so, you likely have more than 10,000 files in your account.

    • WreckItTim1's avatar
      WreckItTim1
      Helpful | Level 7

      hmmm no I checked and I have 1,970 files on Dropbox on one desktop which is up to date on the sync. However I am syncing onto another desktop which says "Downloading 767,906 files" -- it currently has 1,879 files on Dropbox. I am assuming this is because of a third party app that has been writing temporary files that are then being deleted and accordingly saved by Dropbox in the trash (I can see them on the web app). So even though the files are no longer on the desktop, for some reason it is still syncing them.

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

        Hey WreckItTim1, does that mean that if you temporarily disable/turn off this third party app, the Dropbox app stops syncing?