We’re Still Here to Help (Even Over the Holidays!) - find out more here.
Forum Discussion
What happens when I delete files and folders?
Hi, I have a lot of files and folders on backed up on 2 computers. If I delete a folder on one computer, will it still be both in the cloud and on the other computer? I need to free up some hard driv...
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorCould you clarify what you mean by backing up your phone? Are you referring to camera uploads?
Are you also looking to backup your entire computer, or just the files in the Dropbox folder?
Yes, I have my phone's pics backed up to the dropbox, not just the camera uploads, but I also make many folders which separate the photos by category, event, dates or what have you.
On the computer I have just certain folders backing up, but it's put a copy of everything on my actual computer in the dropbox folder.
I'm relatively new to dropbox as I found out iCloud was a waste of time and money, because if I deleted off the phone, it deleted from the cloud as well. Now I can free up my phone space by backing up to dropbox and deleting from phone, but now that has moved the storage problem from the phones to my computer.
So I want to know how to delete folders from the dropbox computer location and still have them in the cloud and accessible when I need them, whether it's via the phone or computer.
- Jay
Have you tried using this feature to mark files on your computer as available online-only, so they don't take up space on your machine?
I cannot see where to mark folders as online only or offline
And if I switch to online only, will it automatically delete it from my hard drive?
- Jay
The files will still appear in Explorer, but they won't take up any space on your device.
What Dropbox options do you see when you right click a file or folder in the Dropbox folder?
