How do I delete files from Dropbox without deleting them from my computer and other devices?

[LynnMGallagher]

I do not use Dropbox for backup storage; I use a different service for that.  But friends and fellow students sometimes want to share files in Dropbox, so I set up a free account.  Somehow, I don't know how, Dropbox uploaded some of my photos to the cloud and filled up my basic Dropbox space.  I would like to take my photos out of Dropbox WITHOUT DELETING THEM FROM MY COMPUTER or other devices.  This would give me the Dropbox space that I need for sharing.  But when I try to do that, Dropbox says that it will delete my photos from all my devices!  How can I empty my Dropbox without deleting my photos from my devices?

[Nancy]

Thanks for posting here, @RINGDING!

To make sure I get this right; do you wish to delete files from www.dropbox.com without deleting them from your local Dropbox folder? If yes, then you can ignore those files instead. 

Do you want to delete files from your Dropbox account, in general, without affecting any local copies on your laptop (outside of the Dropbox folder)?

Have you enabled computer backup perhaps, and you’d like to turn it off while returning your files to their original place on your laptop instead?

Let me know.

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[Moderator Note: The post was edited for clarity/more information/details.]

[RINGDING]

I want to delete files from my local dropbox folder and dropbox.com and not delete the original file on my laptop.

[Nancy]

@RINGDING, in this case, you can delete your files either from the Dropbox website or the desktop app, and if you have a separate copy of them in another location on your laptop, these won't be affected at all.

[zergaw asefa]

not delete from desk top

[Megan]

Hey @zergaw asefa, thanks for posting here! 

Unfortunately it's not entirely clear what you wish to achieve here. 

Do you wish to learn how to delete files from Dropbox, without deleting them from your desktop, or something different? 

If you could clarify, that'd be amazing in order for me to then be able to guide you correctly. 

Keep me posted! 

[sms250]

I dont understand to delete something from drop box but not my laptop what do I need to do?

thanks

[Mark]

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@sms250 wrote:

I dont understand to delete something from drop box but not my laptop what do I need to do?

thanks

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Move it out of the Dropbox folder to a different directory on your computer.