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Trying to upload very large files (300GB) via the desktop app.

uploading very large files

I have tried to upload a 300GB file to dropbox (I have 1TB capacity) using the Mac desktop application and I am being informed that there isn't enough free space. I bought this extra memory as dropbox write:"Files uploaded to Dropbox via the desktop application or mobile apps have no file size limit". Am I doing something wrong?

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Rich

How are you uploading the file and what errors are you getting?

If you're trying to upload the file through the website you won't be able to as it has a file size limit of 10GB. For files larger than 10GB you need to download and install the Dropbox client. This will create a local Dropbox folder on your computer and sync everything in your account. Simply place your file in that folder and wait for it to sync. Be patient, because a 66GB file will take a long time to upload.

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Mark

Do you have enough hard drive space?

Andrew G.36

Hi.

No I have very little hard-drive space, I want these files to be available on dropbox only

Mark

You need the hard drive space to upload them though.

Dropbox is a real life local folder that resides on your machine. That means it takes up space. Once things are uploaded you can remove them locally via Selective Sync but they MUST go in the Dropbox folder first if they are large.

Andrew G.36

ok thanks

Andrew G.36

But i haven't solved the problem yet

I need to upload 300GB of photos and other very large files DIRECT to dropbox from an external hard-drive, where the drive on my Mac has only around 90GB of free spaces. Hence the files would need to go from Hard-drive direct to dropbox. Once in dropbox I can select sync the files I want copied on my mac.

How do I do this?

Mark

Unless you can upload via the website (for individual files) you can't.

You need to upload via your main hard drive.

Dropbox is not supported on external drives.

Andrew G.36

I should have checked this before wasting €99 on an annual subscription; Dropbox doesn't work for me.

Mark

The key thing to remember is that Dropbox isnt a backup tool. Its a syncing tool. Its designed to have everything local on all devices.

Andrew G.36

I know, I will continue using it for that, but I thought I could back-up large files of data from may external drive direct to dropbox.

Nick D.21

I have a 66GB file on my local drive, and a 1TB Dropbox Pro account. I have been trying to upload a 66GB file for three days now without success.

I also tried splitting the file and less than half of the split files have been uploaded.

Rich

How are you uploading the file and what errors are you getting?

Nick D.21

I have used the local drop box folder...I would have thought 3 days would be enough. If it's really taking that long it will be faster for me ship a hdd.