Forum Discussion

newtonprints's avatar
newtonprints
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago

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...
Delete
sync
Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
3 years ago

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?

newtonprints's avatar
newtonprints
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago

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's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    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?

    • newtonprints's avatar
      newtonprints
      Explorer | Level 3
      3 years ago

      Oh! I found that option!

      Once I do that, does it automatically come off my hard drive?

      • Hannah's avatar
        Hannah
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        3 years ago

        Sorry to jump in here, newtonprints.

         

        Indeed, when you set a file to "online-only", it stops taking up space on your hard drive.

         

        It doesn't get completely removed, you'll still see it if you're connected to the internet, but it will just be a placeholder file, with no physical space.

         

        I hope this helps!

    • newtonprints's avatar
      newtonprints
      Explorer | Level 3
      3 years ago

      OK now when I right click I no longer have an option to choose between online only or view offline, why would this have gone away? It was there yesterday and was able to do it to some folders.

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