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I need help freeing up space in my Dropbox account

I had a notice that I was running out of space - So I deleted a bunch of files in my Dropbox - But it seems I still have the same amount of space being used - Is there some "compact" thing I should be doing?

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MT2000

Just an update - problem solved. I removed most of the folders in my DB to my desktop & the % finally went down. I found that there were a few .dmg & backup files that I hadn't deleted/ missed that were fairly large in size. Mea culpa! I've backed those up & will start using my DB again.

Also, I had sent an email to DB Support, and did hear back Nov. 17th with full, detailed instructions. I'd found them in the Help Centre & had followed them to try to fix my problem. I paste them here for those having this problem:

Delete files as you normally would on computers, phones, and tablets, and they'll be deleted from the Dropbox website, too. You can also delete files from the Dropbox website, and they'll be removed from all the computers, phones, and tablets attached to your Dropbox account. Deleted files will not count against your account's overall storage quota.

If you want to restore any deleted files, keep in mind that Dropbox saves a history of all deleted and earlier versions of files for 30 days for all Dropbox accounts. If you purchase the Extended Version History add-on for your account, you can revert to a previous file version or recover a deleted file at any time within a year of an edit or deletion made after your purchase.

On Mac, Removing a file from your Dropbox is as simple as dragging and dropping it somewhere out of your Dropbox folder. If you'd like to delete it, drag the file or folder to your Mac's Trash.

Delete a file using the Dropbox website
Sign in to the Dropbox website
Click on the empty space to the right of the file's name to select it. (Clicking on the file name or icon will open the file as a preview)
Press Delete from the action bar across the top of the file browser
Permanently delete files
Note: Permanently deleting a file means that you will not be able to recover it.
Only the owner of a shared folder, or the original uploader of the file, can permanently delete a file.
To permanently delete files from the Dropbox website:
If you haven't already, delete the files you want to permanently delete using the steps above.
From the file browser, click the trash can icon to show deleted files.
The show deleted files and permanently delete buttons
Click the trash can icon to show deleted files that can permanently deleted
Any files that appear in gray were previously deleted and can still be either undeleted or permanently deleted.
Once you find the file or folder you’d like to permanently delete, select the file and click Permanently delete from the action bar at the top of the file browser.
If your problems still persists please provide me with a screenshot of the concern and I’d be happy to look into this further for you.
For instructions on your how to take a screenshot,
https://www.dropbox.com/help/1964
Thank you for allowing me to assist you with your concern, and choosing Dropbox!

All comments

Rick_M

You may have had "promotional" space which has now expired leaving you with the files but way over quota!

Steven E.7

Thanks, but note that my email notice said my box was "almost full" - right now its at 2.4 gb of 2.5 ... and as mentioned, I deleted more than 100 files, and saw no reduction in space being used

Rick_M

Smaller files are synced first, so the last , large file may not fit.

see https://www.dropbox.com/account#personal

for more info about your personal "space".

Divas I.

I want to know if deleting files will free up space in my dropbox? I've deleted several fils and see no change!!

Tom D.5

How do I permanently delete a file?

Jeff S.52

Okay, I too want to know how to permanently delete files to free up space. My next step is to dump dropbox & go with another services!

Rick_M

check here after you have given DB time to sync the deletes;

https://www.dropbox.com/account#personal

MT2000

Posted this in another thread & copying here.

I have the same problem.
Dropbox seems to keep deleted files online & restorable, even when you delete them. Instructions note to permanently delete but that doesn't help either.
To permanently delete files - you go online in your account, click on a folder to open them, then on the upper right toolbar on the website, select & click "Show deleted files". You can then "permanently delete" the files.
Still says the same amount of MB used, "out of space - you need to upgrade", and perpetual syncing.
Any help would be appreciated.

Rich

Files that are in your Trash/Deleted Items do not take up space in your account. Deleting them permanently will have no affect on your available space.

MT2000

Hi Rich R. Thanks for the reply. One would think that is true, however; my DB has very few files in it now & shows the exact same storage usage.

I deleted pretty much all large files ( photos mainly) & emptied most of my folders ( estimate permanently 90% deleted). There should be very little MB used up now but it is showing over 118%.

Rich

And what is the breakdown of shared files versus regular files?

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MT2000

Hi again Rich & thanks so much for the quick reply.

I have no shared files in my public folder. I use DB cloud only for an interim backup before external HD backup.

Rick_M

M, Only folders can be shared, so what do you mean by "shared files"? And "public folders" are shared folders, AFIK.

MT2000

Yes. (ie) my public folder is empty - no documents. I do not share any documents via DB nor do I access other people's public folders.

Jeff S.52

If Dropbox does not help solve this issue about not recognizing that a person deleted files but still did not free up space, then I'm moving on to a new cloud storage company. This suggests a struggling business that is willing to frustrate a customer in order to up-sell. For me, it's now about trust and not about a monthly subscription. Likely to move on the iCloud or Amazon. Also a problem when there seems no way to actually talk to the company about this issue. Instead, we're stuck with this limited forum where no techy from the company weighs in to help solve a thing.

MT2000

Agreed Jeff S. Very frustrating. I've waited a week now and nothing, no change. Compare to other forums - where there are experienced teams or troubleshooters that will assist, and even if a respectively smaller company. This is awful & I may just switch.

Rick_M

In order for Dropbox to sync what happens on Dropbox.com, your computer must be running dropbox.exe.

MT2000

Thx Rick M but I have the Dropbox app (for Mac) - not running a PC. So that's not the problem.

Rick_M

Substitute the MAC equivalents. I'm pretty sure that's going to be the issue, but you can post the results of https://www.dropbox.com/account#personal

MT2000

Delete files as you normally would on computers, phones, and tablets, and they'll be deleted from the Dropbox website, too. You can also delete files from the Dropbox website, and they'll be removed from all the computers, phones, and tablets attached to your Dropbox account. Deleted files will not count against your account's overall storage quota.

If you want to restore any deleted files, keep in mind that Dropbox saves a history of all deleted and earlier versions of files for 30 days for all Dropbox accounts. If you purchase the Extended Version History add-on for your account, you can revert to a previous file version or recover a deleted file at any time within a year of an edit or deletion made after your purchase.

On Mac, Removing a file from your Dropbox is as simple as dragging and dropping it somewhere out of your Dropbox folder. If you'd like to delete it, drag the file or folder to your Mac's Trash.

Delete a file using the Dropbox website
Sign in to the Dropbox website
Click on the empty space to the right of the file's name to select it. (Clicking on the file name or icon will open the file as a preview)
Press Delete from the action bar across the top of the file browser
Permanently delete files
Note: Permanently deleting a file means that you will not be able to recover it.
Only the owner of a shared folder, or the original uploader of the file, can permanently delete a file.
To permanently delete files from the Dropbox website:
If you haven't already, delete the files you want to permanently delete using the steps above.
From the file browser, click the trash can icon to show deleted files.
The show deleted files and permanently delete buttons
Click the trash can icon to show deleted files that can permanently deleted
Any files that appear in gray were previously deleted and can still be either undeleted or permanently deleted.
Once you find the file or folder you’d like to permanently delete, select the file and click Permanently delete from the action bar at the top of the file browser.
If your problems still persists please provide me with a screenshot of the concern and I’d be happy to look into this further for you.
For instructions on your how to take a screenshot,
https://www.dropbox.com/help/1964
Thank you for allowing me to assist you with your concern, and choosing Dropbox!

MT2000

P.S. - Thanks to those who tried to help me with this! I appreciate it!