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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.
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If I upload 100 images to a folder and share them with you, so you can grab a couple then I, the uploader and sharer, are the host.
We may have conflicting opinions but the main reason they do this, is for storage upgrades.
Google structure theirs properly.- Rich
Super User II
mjg88 wrote:
If a user creates a folder and shares it with you, they're the HOST of those files.
But they're not the host. The shared folder exists in your account. You have your own copy of the files so it counts against your storage. It also works this way to prevent people from being able to stack accounts to get unlimited space.
I could not agree more, it's simply a structure for them to upsell storage space.
If a user creates a folder and shares it with you, they're the HOST of those files. That storage shouldn't be deducted from your allocated space.
The main reason I refuse to use Dropbox more often.- Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey jojopants, thanks for taking the time to post to the Dropbox Community.
I understand you're having trouble, because a shared folder is taking up space in your account.
This happens when you're given edit access to the folder, which means that you need to add it to your account and this it takes up space.
If you want to access some files without affecting your own space, the person that shared the folder with you, will need to send you a "can view" link instead.
I hope this helps!
Hi,
When other people try to share their Dropbox, the size of their files are now MY size of files that I need to pay for.
It ends up being 2 people paying 2 seperate times for the 1 same file.
I can't get support for a free account.
People keep trying to send me Dropbox, and it makes me upset because they are sending me costs.
Google Drive only does this one way - the owner of the files, not every side that accesses it.
I am really sad and lost on what to do - and WHY people use this....
I wish thre was a way that I didn't have to pay for files that other people send me
- Hannah
Hey basekidz, thanks for joining the Dropbox Community.
When you're given edit access (access to upload/edit/delete files) to a shared folder, the folder needs to get added to your account, thus it will take up space in your account as well.
If you just need to upload files to your client's account, they can send you a file request.
This will allow you to upload files, without affecting your own Dropbox quota.
I hope this helps!
Hi, I have a free account but am working with a client with a pro account. I am unable to upload files onto his account as my account has apparently ran out of space. Can I check why is the shared folder taking up space in my account when it should belong to the client?
- Helen DBX
Dropbox Staff
DropBox says I'm using 1.58 Gb of file space. The drop box folder on Mac OS is empty. I have zero files local on my machine, any files I create for DropBox are online only. I have no backups. (I use a different service). Looking at "all files" shows me the one shared folder I participate in, and nothing else. I don't own it, but I have access. I have removed all "my files" from that shared folder. And the end result is... DB says I'm using 1.58 GB of space, when I have, literally, nothing.
Years ago I used DB to share photos, but that was other machines, other versions, long ago, long since (as far as I know) removed.
Any suggestions for how to search for ghost files? Or why DB insists I've sucked up 1.5GB of space?
TIA for any help.
- Mark
Do you need them to just upload to you? If so why not look at Requests instead: https://help.dropbox.com/share/create-file-request
