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Forum Discussion
chuchinh
6 years agoExplorer | Level 4
I don't see the "Manage backup" option to disable the computer backup, what can I do?
I cannot turn off desktop sync. I have read your instructions:
To turn off computer backup:
Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
Click your profile pict...
mattdoherty91
6 years agoNew member | Level 2
Hello. I've just installed Dropbox on my iMac with the intention of using it as backup for my files (I don't want to drag and drop all of my folders into the Dropbox folder, I specifically want to use the backup feature).
The intsructions provided by Dropbox for this process are contradictory and do not work for me.
It says here (https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/computer-backup) that I go to 'Preferences' then 'Backups' and I should see an option to 'Manage Backup'.
However this article (https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/change-preferences#import) suggests that there are only three headings in the 'Preferences Pane', and these are 'Devices', 'Photos' and 'Screenshots'. Nothing about an actual computer backup. This is true of what I can see on my computer.
I've followed the steps in the troubleshooting guide included in that first article (moving the Dropbox folder to the right location, adding permissions, turning off iCloud etc.). But I've still not got a 'Manage Backup' option.
Has Dropbox removed the backup feature altogether?
Yours,
Matt.
Lusil
Dropbox Staff
6 years agoHey mattdoherty91, thanks for nudging us on this thread.
Could you send us a screenshot (without any personal info) of what the Backups tab shows?
Looking forward to hearing back from you!
- Ajwa16 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Hello,
I am having a similar experience with some of the community above. I have tried to turn off computer backup following the steps you have linked multiple times. However, like many, I could not find the 'mange backup' tab under preferences-->backup. I understand this means that apparently the computer backup feature is already turned off; however, all of 'My PC' files are still synced and take up space on the dropbox storage. The solution above suggests moving files from dropbox to its original location, but I do not have the slightest idea on how to approach doing that.
Thank you for your help.
- Lusil6 years ago
Dropbox Staff
Hey Ajwa1, thanks for joining us on this thread.
The Dropbox folder is like any other folder, so you can move the files like you would with any other item on your computer.
If you want to have some peace of mind though, you can copy them from the Dropbox folder, paste them elsewhere, and then delete them from your Dropbox folder.
Give me a nudge to let me know of any updates, cheers!
- Ajwa16 years agoExplorer | Level 3
Hello, Thank you for your reply.
It took some time but I managed to move the unneeded files out of my dropbox folder. I'm not entirely sure what I did exactly, as I did a lot of moving around and undoing, but eventually got it to work. It looks like Dropbox no longer syncs new files, and even the green syncing symbol went away. Also, I checked on the dropbox website, the desktop app, and my phone, and it looks like storage has been cleared up. Thank you for your help.
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