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Forum Discussion
dualice
4 years agoNew member | Level 2
Why do shared files count against my space use???
Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage? Is this data counted twice? If someone who is sharing files with me is paying for this space, why should I have to pay as well just to access it? I am out of space, I have no intention of buying more space, and yet, when someone shares some files with me, I cannot access them and I am forced to buy space in order to access them. Why is this?
Thank you.
dualice wrote:
Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage?
Because the files exist in your account.
When you have access to a shared folder, you're not accessing someone else's folder. You're accessing your own COPY of the folder within your account, and you need to have enough space available to hold that folder.
If you just need to view or download files that someone else is sharing with you, ask them to send you a shared link instead. A shared link is a view-only method of sharing and you don't even need a Dropbox account to access it.
144 Replies
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- Katherinemillle3 years agoNew member | Level 2I have a Basic plan. I’ve uploaded nothing, am retired, and only use it 4-5 times a year to download from a shared folder violin music scores for concert rehearsals. The orchestra manages the shared folders. There was one with lots of photos. My account is telling me I’m over capacity, but I’ve always deleted what I downloaded to print. I’m not paying &12/month for this minimal use. I’m clearly not in the know. Can any one tell me what to do?
- Hannah3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Shared folders do count against your own Dropbox space too, Eva27.
I've moved your post to this thread with some info relevant to it.
Make sure to check it out and let me know if you have any additional questions.
- Eva273 years agoNew member | Level 2I got access to the folder from my supervisor with editing rights. As I add files to this folder, I have written that I have run out of space and that the limit is over 2GB. I asked the manager, they told me that 1TB was bought from them. Why can't I upload files to their working folder, if the one whose folder has a 1TB plan is purchased.
- Hannah3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey roshana, thanks for reaching out to us!
I moved your post to a thread with plenty of info relevant to your query.
Take a look and let me know if you have any questions!
- roshana3 years agoExplorer | Level 4
I just started working (volunteering) for a spiritual group. They have tons of photos and videos and whatnot, and they've shared these folders with me so that I can do social media posting for them.
But I keep getting the message that I'm over my limit.
99% of that limit is the shared files.
What to do?
- Jay3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi Zowathraa, file requests are indefinite, and can be redirected to any folder the creator chooses upon creation of the request.
There isn't a monthly limit on their usage, aside from the daily bandwidth restrictions. Could you let me know where you read that there were only 3 requests per month?
- Zowathraa3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Hello,
Came across this thread because I'm in the same boat.
I'm in a situation where a 'file request' seems to be the necessary go-to, but I will have to upload new files regularly (up to 3x/month).
Is there a way to send files to a specific dropbox folder without 'file request'? (Other than buying a plan)
I would like to avoid paying a yearly plan only to upload files to ONE client that pays a subscription and asks for the files to end on their Dropbox.
Also I would like to automate the upload because it will be recurrent and they're big files, It would avoid sending/receiving 3 requests per month... - Hannah3 years ago
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey Rick, welcome to our Community!
If this is a shared folder you were invited to, you'd need enough space in your account to add it as well.
Do you need edit access to the folder? Or just to access it?
If you only want to access/download the files to your computer, the owner can send you a "can view" link instead.
And if you need to upload files to their account, they can send you a file request.
I hope this helps!
- Rick3 years agoNew member | Level 2I was provided a link to the folder, I was able to download 2gb, how do I download more without buying a tariff?
Maybe there is a setting on the owner so I can download more? - Tmorri35 13 years agoExplorer | Level 4
Thank you Rich
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