Need to see if your shared folder is taking up space on your dropbox 👨💻? Find out how to check here.
Forum Discussion
Solomon N.
10 years agoNew member | Level 1
"Your dropbox is full" but it isn't
On Mac air with newest OS. I uninstalled the app, checked the hard drive, restarted the computer, barked at the moon, clapped twice and prayed to allah. The problem remains.
I refuse to pay to upgrade. I cannot sync additional files.
Hi Paul!
When you join a shared folder, that folder now resides in your Dropbox too and therefore takes up space.
Your Dropbox quota is calculated based on the total contents of your Dropbox, which includes shared folders. A Dropbox account can't sync more than its quota, so a 2 GB account can't sync more than 2 GB, including the space taken up by shared folders. Because every member of a shared folder can add and modify the files in the shared folder, the shared folder takes up space in each member's account. This policy exists to prevent people from giving themselves unlimited space by stacking Basic accounts and shared folders.
If you need a little more space, you can visit the following pages on our website to see how you can earn bonus space:
- Earn bonus space by learning about Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/gs
- Earn bonus space by referring people to Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/referrals
- Earn bonus space by telling people about Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/freeThanks,
Dom
51 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
- Lee B.2911 years agoNew member | Level 2
I just received a "Dropbox is full" message, when I'm currently using about 161GB of my terabyte of storage. I think it's related to one shared folder, because that folder hasn't updated since another user added around 100 photos to it yesterday.Those pix would chew up some storage, but not 800 GB. Outside of that folder, all seems to be well with Dropbox sync.
- Paul G.2710 years agoNew member | Level 1
Dropbox says that I am using 3.1GB of 2.5GB. I have no files in any of my folders. A friend has shared files with me - but all in his folder, all with his ownership. None are on my desktop.
I am getting the message:
"Your Dropbox is full. Upgrade now for 1 TB (1,000 GB) of space and sharing features."When your Dropbox is full, you are unable to sync files across devices and join shared folders. Get more space to lift these restrictions."How do I get rid of this message? - Julian O.110 years agoNew member | Level 1
Hi Paul!
When you join a shared folder, that folder now resides in your Dropbox too and therefore takes up space.
Your Dropbox quota is calculated based on the total contents of your Dropbox, which includes shared folders. A Dropbox account can't sync more than its quota, so a 2 GB account can't sync more than 2 GB, including the space taken up by shared folders. Because every member of a shared folder can add and modify the files in the shared folder, the shared folder takes up space in each member's account. This policy exists to prevent people from giving themselves unlimited space by stacking Basic accounts and shared folders.
If you need a little more space, you can visit the following pages on our website to see how you can earn bonus space:
- Earn bonus space by learning about Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/gs
- Earn bonus space by referring people to Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/referrals
- Earn bonus space by telling people about Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/freeThanks,
Dom
- Geoffrey F.110 years agoNew member | Level 1
Me too. On Windows 10. No barking, but much gnashing of teeth. 243 KB of 2 GB used, yet I can't join a new shared folder for lack of space for three days now - and they assure me that it isn't huge.
- Solomon N.10 years agoNew member | Level 1
Please let me know if you find a solution.
- Richard P.10 years ago
Super User alumni
Geoffrey - shared folders count in full against your account quota - if its larger than your available space then you cannot accept the invite.
Solomon - you need to delete files from your Dropbox or upgrade.
- Solomon N.10 years agoNew member | Level 1
Richard. I deleted tons of files and am well under my allowed space. Its still a problem.
- Mark10 years ago
Super User II
What files are showing at www.dropbox.com/home and www.dropbox.com/account THEY are the ones to look at.
If you want to accept a shared folder, it doesn't matter if you are under your limit. If accepting a share would put you over it then you cant.
- Doug N.410 years agoNew member | Level 1
I'm having the same or a similar problem. When I try to accept an invitation, I receive a pop-up that state:
"Your personal Dropbox will run out of space if you accept this invitation." My account shows I'm only using 7mb of 2.75 available, and I'm assured by the originator of the folder that it is less than 250 mb. What else could I try?
- Rich10 years ago
Super User II
The originator of the share is likely mistaken. If you have nearly 2.7GB of available space in your account and Dropbox is saying that you'll run out of space, then the shared folder you've been invited to is larger than 2.7GB.
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