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How can I cancel my computer backup?
I apparently selected pc backup when I installed Dropbox and naturally I'm out of storage on my Dropbox account now. I don't want and have no need to have my pc backed up to it. I have the desktop app but am not able to find the preferences section to stop it from backing up. I did try just deleting My PC from Dropbox but a message comes up and says if I delete "My PC" it says it will be removed from my Dropbox and from the computer. If I delete it in Dropbox, does that mean I'll lose everything on my laptop too? Sorry if it sounds like a newbie question but I am. 🙂 Any help stopping the PC backup would be greatly appreciated.
- Hey timq, welcome aboard our Community!
Indeed, with computer backup, if you delete your desktop files from Dropbox, they will also be deleted from your computer.
If you want to disable the backup feature, you can follow the steps here.
You'll find the Dropbox app's preferences, if you click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray.
Let me know if you have any questions.
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- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey joanne l.3, sorry to jump in here!
What is your app's syncing status as we speak? If you visit your account on the website, are you able to see the folders being synced there?
- It have completed the sync.and I see the folder and files in dropbox. I just cannot disable the the future backup. Also, the backup removed most of my folders and file from the desktop. How do I get it all back and in the same place? Thank you. Joanne
- Jay
Hi joanne l.3, if you want to disable the computer backup, you can follow these steps here.
I do not need dropbox for much so, for years I've had the basic. I recently saw that it has a new folder that I think is a backup of my complete PC and has obviously, exceeded my capacity. It asks for an update that I do not need. How do I get rid of the new folder? How do I go back to how it was? Thank you!
- Hannah
Hey felixthecat, thanks for reaching out to the Dropbox Community!
I moved your post to this thread, which is relevant to your case.
It sounds like you have enabled our backup feature. If you want to disable it, you can follow the steps here.
- Solution:
1) Backup your dropbox files on your computer
2) Create a new dropbox account under a new email.
3) Copy files from old dropbox to new one. Following
I have exactly this issue
I didnt realise I was backing up the entire PC, and there is no easy option to turn it off. Three hours spent on this already today. Waste of time and puts me off getting a dropbox account.
- Hello Megan thanks for offering to help.
yes I did follow Dropbox guidelines but
"4.Under Adjust settings, click Disable backup."
Was not available
The only solution was to move my files out of Dropbox folder on my pc, erase Dropbox app from my PC. then visit Dropbox on the internet and erase all my files
I will not be using Dropbox again if I can avoid it
I find it far to buggy and laborious in almost every respect
I've currently spent two long hours today just trying to upload a tiny pdf to a shared folder (I have editing permission) If I click on the Dropbox icon on my computer desktop, it brings up an empty file since I don't have any files stored in Dropbox. I have been through all settings online and can not find where to disconnect back-up, yet Dropbox says that my storage is nearly full because of back-up. I can't see anything being backed up and yet keep getting messages that my storage is nearly full.
