How can I stop the automatic syncing of files?

[Aloha1]

I never intentionally wanted to synch files to Dropbox. I only needed it to receive from clients. Now my Dropbox is overfilled and I want to clear out space to use for new files sent to me. Also, If I delete from Dropbox, does it also delete these files from my computer? I am not computer savvy and am overwhelmed and very frustrated with this. Please someone help.

[Walter]

Hi there @Aloha1, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please let me know what exactly is reported in your plan tab in regards to your quota?

Also, when you say you synced your files to Dropbox, did you copy or move those files into your Dropbox folder while the desktop app was running and syncing or maybe you used the Dropbox Backup feature?

Do you maybe see any files or folders taking up a lot of space in your homepage or the backups page?

When it comes to deleting your files from Dropbox, are you going to be doing it via the website or maybe through the desktop app by moving those files out of your Dropbox folder?

Let me know what you find and we'll take it from there. 

[Aloha1]

So glad to her from someone. I am at a total loss with this. I only began Dropbox because I was told it would be easier for a client to sent me files. But I no longer work with him. I do have another client who sends the occasional file but that's it. I have the free version, 2GB but it seems that Dropbox had automatically synced with my computer and now there is a file "Documents" 4.65GB that put me over my limit and I am unable to receive the tiny file from my client. I never transferred or synced anything intentionally. I seemed to be fine in the past but in the last year, at some point I was receiving notices that I was over my limit and to Upgrade. I have no intention or need to upgrade. My question is, not knowing what or how these things are connected, can I just delete something from Dropbox to free up space as I hope it won't delete these same documents/files on my computer. Please advise. thank you.

[Jay]

Hi @Aloha1, since you mentioned the Documents folder, it sounds like you enabled the computer backup feature. 

Could you try disabling it using these steps to help free up the space on your Dropbox account?

[Aloha1]

Hi, Thanks for this note. I didn't have the app setup on my PC so I downloaded it. I went to the overflow on my taskbar and clicked on the app. Followed the instructions, (clicked on my initials, then preferences then download and finally Manage but it brings me to this page... 

Where did I go wrong? Also, when I eventually get to where you say I should go to stop backup, and if I delete the documents from there, will this also delete these documents from my computer?  

[Hannah]

Sorry to jump in here as well, @Aloha1.

If you go to your backups page online, can you disable the backup from there?

[Aloha1]

Hi Hanna, doesn't seem to offer disable option... 

[Megan]

Hi @Aloha1, does it allow you to click on "My PC (DESKTOP)" or not?

[Aloha1]

Megan, thanks for this support. This is my concern. If these are interconnected, should I worry about losing this info if I delete it here?

[Jay]

Hi @Aloha1, if you delete the backup from the site, it should disable the backup on your computer as well, and free up the quota on the site.