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alanS's avatar
alanS
Explorer | Level 4
4 years ago
Solved

Mac seems to think HD is full of DropBox files?

I'm using a Mac and have about 100Gb of DropBox folders, many are local on my HD as well (I have DropBox Plus 2Tb plan).

I went through and changed all files to online only (grey icon) and now my DropBox folder says I have maybe 1GB...but in the finder when I look at overall space on the computer it's still showing HD is almost full!

I have "Online only files on Mac" set to ON.

I don't understand how DropBox deletes files because I had so much data locally stored and when I changed to online only I never saw anything show up in the Trash on my Mac...so I don't know how the files are deleted from my computer?

How can I fix this so my computer doesn't think the HD is almost full?

Thanks,

Alan.

desktop
Mac
sync
  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    4 years ago

    Hey alanS, sorry to jump in here, but I just wanted to mention that this space might be taken up by the cache folder that Dropbox creates on your computer.

     

    If the desktop app has finished syncing and it's 'up to date' in your menu bar, you could try deleting it to free up some hard drive space.

     

    Let me know if this helps, Alan.

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  • fscorer's avatar
    fscorer
    New member | Level 2
    2 years ago

    I'm having this exact issue. Same directory and everything. I paused syncing so the folder doesn't expand faster (it slows it down, then I just restart the computer for it to sort of reset)

     

    I must ask, did deleting those file clones make your Dropbox files vanish? Currently backing up my things right now but if you didn't lose anything, I'd really like to delete those clones now 😂

  • Matteo918's avatar
    Matteo918
    New member | Level 2
    2 years ago

    After deleting the folder file_clones have you noticed issues with DB?
    Is it sure to delete everything from this folder?

  • Specialforce's avatar
    Specialforce
    New member | Level 2
    2 years ago

    Hi rproco -

     

    I have a similar file - I just wanted to check that there were no adverse effects from deleting that file?

  • rproco's avatar
    rproco
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago

    Hi Specialforce 

    No adverse effects at all. Deleting those files was the solution that worked for me.  All my Dropbox files were still stored in the cloud and I did not lose any data. Hope that helps!

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