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Forum Discussion
Dropbox Backup: Why is it impossible to disable?
As far as I can find, there's one (and only one) place where Backup settings can be modified -- where you can choose to disable a particular desktop backup -- and that's in my Dropbox Preferences on (Mac) desktop. However, when I'm on this page, I'm given the message: "To manage these settings, sign in on the same computer you used to start this backup." (see screenshot at bottom)
(1) I am on the same computer I used to set up one of the backups... but Dropbox, for whatever reason, isn't recognizing it.
(2) I no longer have ready access to the other two computers that have backups set up.
I've tried simply deleting the backup folders/files from Dropbox but am blocked from doing so.
I don't understand why -- if I'm signed into my account with my password and have passed whatever other security checks Dropbox has in place -- I'm nevertheless restricted from modifying which files are/aren't saved within Dropbox and from modifying which personal devices Dropbox does/doesn't have access to.
Is there something I'm missing??
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blehhhh32 wrote:... and that's in my Dropbox Preferences on (Mac) desktop. ...
(1) I am on the same computer I used to set up one of the backups... but Dropbox, for whatever reason, isn't recognizing it.
...
Hi blehhhh32,
Hm..🤔 You contradict to yourself!
The backup you're focusing on is from some Windows machine. In the same time you're on Mac. Right? How this can happen - to be the same machine? 🧐😉
Hope this gives direction.
Thanks for the response! In the screenshot, yes, it's showing my PC... but I'm given the exact same message, no matter which of the three devices I click into.
I should have taken a screenshot of the mac's settings for the sake of clarity (apologies for the confusion), but there is no contradiction.
Here are the other two screenshots (all taken while on Mac)
Something else may be important in such a situation. Keep in mind that despite you may have set Dropbox Backup on the same machine, the backup data are associated with particular application install/link! If, for instance, you have reinstalled and/or logged out and then logged back in, then Dropbox count your computer as another machine. It's not very intuitive, but... it's so.
ok, but that brings me back to the original question... how can I disable a device that's no longer possible to access? Is Dropbox truly this badly designed, that it's literally impossible to remove the company's access to my personal files?
First of all, check online on all backups page. If you cannot do anything still there, check your devices list. Again, keep in mind that may be multiple instances for the same machine (matching to every application link). Make sure the machine (or rather link - despite labeled as machines there is list of links actually) matching the backup you want to remove is not linked. Remove it if needed and then get back to backups page to check again. That's it.
Good luck.
PS: Take care not to remove some machine (real link) you need and work with.
I appreciate your help!! I'll look into this solution and report back - thank you!
Hi,
I have the same/similar issue. I have a backup in my profile of a PC that I no longer have access to. I removed the device in settings from the linked devices, but I still cannot delete the backup. I currently have no linked devices. How can I delete the backup?
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Nrs_Schubby - sorry to hear about this.
Are you getting any particular errors when trying to delete it from your backups page?
Nrs_Schubby wrote:... I currently have no linked devices. ...
Hi Nrs_Schubby,
Are you sure? 🤔 Did you check it?
Again, on Dropbox site everywhere (or on most places actually) it's going word about "devices" (especially in quotes 🤫). There are NO devices though! There are links to installed applications (interpret in such a way everywhere you see "device" on Dropbox site). I'm not sure why it named so - just for user confusion.
Soo... just make it sure you have no "devices". 😉 Wipe it out when you get something found.
Hope this helps.
