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Why is my account full because of shared files?
Hello !
I have no files on my Dropbox Basic, but connected to 2.3 GB shared files. The shared files are not my files – someone else is paying a fee to store them on Dropbox. Is that an error that Dropbox is asking me to upgrade for accessing the shared files or just a way for Dropbox to get paid twice...?!
Thank you for sharing your opinion... :)
I have no files on my Dropbox Basic, but connected to 2.3 GB shared files. The shared files are not my files – someone else is paying a fee to store them on Dropbox.
When you accept a shared folder, you get your own copy of the files in your account. Since the files exist in your account, they take up space like any other file.
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- Rich
Super User II
I have no files on my Dropbox Basic, but connected to 2.3 GB shared files. The shared files are not my files – someone else is paying a fee to store them on Dropbox.
When you accept a shared folder, you get your own copy of the files in your account. Since the files exist in your account, they take up space like any other file.
Thanks!
- Theresa
Community Manager
Hi S10G , and welcome to the Dropbox Community! 🎉
I’m glad to see that our amazing Super User, Rich, has given you some great advice on shared folders and why your storage has been taken up. 😊
I’m Theresa, a Community Manager here at Dropbox HQ, and I just wanted to check in, were you able to clear up your storage space? I hope everything’s sorted, but if not, here are the steps to remove yourself from a shared folder.
If you ever need more tips on how to make the most of Dropbox, tailored to your needs, don’t hesitate to reach out... I’m happy to help 🤗.
T 😺 (Dropbox Community Manager)
This is not an acceptable answer. When a free user accesses files shared from a paid user their account should not be docked for the shared files. When a paid user shares a folder, and the free user accesses a single file the entire folder size counts against the free user account. This appears to be designed precisely to attempt to motivate the free users to upgrade. You know that the statement that "you get your own copy of the files" is blatantly untrue. They are absolutely NOT copied to the free account. Otherwise they would not get changes. The linked account has precisely that--LINKS to the files. Stop treating your users like crap and fix this BUG or update the rules to be user friendly.
- Mark
Stop treating your users like crap and fix this BUG
It isnt a bug. Its intentional. Its to stop people scamming and also because there is a cost associated with every user in the share - Dropbox has no revenue other than sales. It isn't like Apple or Google that gets money from ads etc.
Thankfully its a free market so if the free product doesn't work for you others may (Google as an example).
I called it a bug to be mean. There is zero incremental cost for this one free user who accesses a file from a paid account. I could share the file on Google, but it is easier for me to just share the file on Dropbox. But, as a result as you say it is a feee market... so that's exactly what is happening. I am cancelling my Professional account because I get too many complaints from free users who I shared a single file with. Movinig everything to Google Drive. Didn't want to, but Dropbox made it just painful enough.
I called it a bug to be mean. Of course it is intentional. You are right - free market - I am cancelling my Professional account that I have had for 7 years and moving to Google Drive. As much as I hate giving business to the big guy, Dropbox has made it just painful enough to move. Well done.
