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Forum Discussion
Arebeo
2 years agoExplorer | Level 3
I can't delete backup files because I can't sign out of a device that I unlinked.
Hi,
I made a mistake in unlinking a device that had a backup on my Dropbox before I had signed out of it. This seems to mean that I cannot delete anything from that backup file in Dropbox - even though I can view most files.
My Dropbox is full, and I would like to clean out a lot of things from that backup of an old computer that I no longer have access to.
How can I do it?
12 Replies
- Megan2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Arebeo!
Yes, you can delete your Backup if you wish.
As for keeping or removing the files, that's up to you. If you choose to "Keep content in folders on this Mac" then your files and folders will be available in their respective locations on your Mac.
If you choose 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.
- Arebeo2 years agoExplorer | Level 3
My desktop app is connected to my work Dropbox, which I pay for. This problem is with my original private dropbox account, which I only access through the browser.
Thanks for the link above. This gave me this screen which I have not seen before. Do I now delete the unlinked backup? Do I get to choose then to keep or delete the files of that backup if I do that?
- Megan2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Arebeo!
Do you follow these steps while using your desktop app, or through your Backup page online?
Have you tried using a different device, in order to access your Backup and delete it from there?
- Arebeo2 years agoExplorer | Level 3
And then, when I click on settings, I get forwarded to my account, and this is what I see - no devices, because I deleted the Macbook Air instead of signing out.
- Arebeo2 years agoExplorer | Level 3
- Nancy2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks for the screenshot, Arebeo, and sorry to hear the issue persists. Can you send one more visual of what appears after clicking on the “I don’t have access” option?
I’ll be able to look into this further this way.
- Arebeo2 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Hi, I am afraid that the solution shown here doesn't work for me. I have a private and a work Dropbox, and the app on my current computer is linked to my work Dropbox, while the problem with deleting old files from a computer I no longer have access to is on my private Dropbox. The old computer no longer shows up as a device on settings, and when I try to delete files, and click that I no longer have access, it wants to send me to the app - which does not seem to show anything related to my problem (justs offers me to link my current computer - which is backed up on my work dropbox, which I pay for in my own company). Anyway, I still need the private dropbox, and it is currently blocked by a heavy folder from my studies that I want to delete but cannot. I get this message.
- Nancy2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Glad you were able to figure this out, Scott-e! I’ll be here, if you need something else.
- Scott-e2 years agoNew member | Level 2
Hey Nancy,
The device is not showing in the settings and I can't delete either through Safari or Chrome.
However I seem to have figured out how to do it. I was trying to access it through the normal folder system when I should have been going through dropbox.com/backup
All the old backups are deleted now
Cheers
Scott-e
- Nancy2 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Scott-e! The old device no longer shows up here, correct?
What happens exactly when you try to delete the backup? Can you send a screenshot?
Are you unable to delete it via a different browser?
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