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Cannot Delete Backup

LutherH

I did a full computer backup and my dropbox is full. I cannot delete the back up file. Suggestions?

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Daphne

Hi there @LutherH, I hope you're doing well!

You'll need to disable the computer backup feature first, which you can do with the steps outlined towards the bottom of this article.

In step 6, you'll need to choose the keep the files on your computer, rather than in Dropbox, and the files will be automatically removed from your Dropbox account.

Let me know how it goes!

All comments

Daphne

LutherH

That worked . Thank You!

Daphne

Glad to hear that @LutherH!

Give me a shout here anytime if you have any other questions. 😀

Wishing you a great weekend ahead!

DolphinGenius

Hi Dropbox Support,

I do not have the specific computers anymore and cannot do it from the dropbox app to stop the backup, is there an alternative way?

I have 2 Backup computers. I cannot find the delete also cannot move the item to a folder for deletion later.

Is this the only way?

Jay

Hi @DolphinGenius, could you try unlinking the desktop apps from the site, which will then allow you to delete the backups from the site.

RB2022

I created an account for ad hoc purposes. I did not intend to have my computer files backed up, and did not ask it to do that. Then I got a popup saying that the 2GB was full. How do I delete the data from my account? Thank you.

Megan

Hi @RB2022, welcome to our Community!

It seems you're referring to our Computer backup feature, right?

You can find the steps for how to disable it in
this Help Center article.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate.

RB2022

Hi Megan --

I am not seeing the backup tab in preferences. Note -- I am using Windows 7.

Thank you.

RB2022

Megan

Thank you for reaching back to me, I hope you enjoyed your weekend! @RB2022

Feel free to send me a screenshot, of what you see on your end in order for us to look into this.

Thanks!

RB2022

Hi Megan --

Two screenshots below. The first is within the Computer Backup instructions page, which refers one to to the "backup" tab therein. I don't see that.

The second is within preferences, and for Windows you can see that there is no reference to a backup tab. Would you please send me the specific instructions on how to delete the backup, and/or delete my files from Dropbox?

Thank you.

Rob

Megan

Hi @RB2022, thanks for the screenshots!

You should be able to locate the
Backup tab if you follow the precise instructions indicated in the app on the most recent snapshot.

I'd like you to look for the Dropbox icon on your desktop. It'd be right next to the WiFi icon. After that, you should be able to click there and follow said instructions.

RB2022

Megan --

I clicked on the Dropbox icon from my desktop, and it is empty. Please send me the specific link that will enable me to do what I need to do to resolve this problem, namely, turning off computer backup that I didn't ask to occur in the first place.

Thank you.

Rob Brantley

lujop

I can't delete a backup of a computer running Windows in which I removed Dropbox.

I've checked and the computer is no more linked but when I want to remove the backup it keeps saying to unlink my device.

Pikamander2

Is the device still listed on this page?

If so, you'll need to click the little trash icon in the righthand column to unlink the device from your account.

lujop

No, it isn't, I had already checked that.

Megan

Hi @lujop, happy Monday!

In order for you to be able to remove the Computer backup folder, you'd need to first follow these steps in order to disable it. You might need to re-install the app too.

Do you have access to the device while we speak?

Let me know more!

WyRwSyK

I have an old problem with that folder. I had another topic done a few years ago.

Now I see Dropbox made Dropbox Backup and I see that Backup 'active'.

So I no longer have that device and I've tried to go to Options > Delete

And because that device no longer exist and it's not connected I've selected "I don't have access"

And after that you can click to "Settings"

And redirect to Settings page on Security tab, I don't have that device connected, but I'm still unable to delete that folder.

What can I do to delete that folder?

I've made a copy of folder "Documents" from "My PC (L-34529)" on dropbox root path, and now I can't delete that neither.

Regards,

Mihai Paraschiv

Hannah

Thanks for reaching out to us, @WyRwSyK, and for bringing this to our attention.

Can we actually send you an email, so we can look into this in detail?

Let me know!

WyRwSyK

Yes! Do you need my email or you can see it?

Have a nice day!

Hannah

No worries, we got it!

I just reached out to you, so make sure to get back to me when you get a chance.

Thanks!

LJSB3

I am in the same situation where I cannot remove the backup of a computer that:

I don't have access to anymore
Has been unliked from my account through the security page

It is causing me issues because this old backup is preventing me from backing up my new laptop.

Could you help me as well?

LJSB3

Hello,

I got a new laptop following a warranty repair. At the time I didn't disable Dropbox.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to that laptop anymore however, the backup for that laptop still shows up and I cannot unlink it.

It is already unlinked from the settings page. Actually, I no longer have any device linked anymore.

How can I get rid of this unwanted backup? It is using most of my available Dropbox space.

Megan

Hi @LJSB3, how are you today?

Can I send you an email, in order for us to have a closer look into this?

Thanks!

LJSB3

Yes please, I would really appreciate if you could reach out.

Thank you

Walter

Hey @LJSB3, sorry to jump in here, but I just followed up via email, so please have a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.

Thanks!

Kolam Alur Survey

Same here, can't delete backup folder

i did not have access to the device anymore, and already 'kicked out' from devices list

any suggestion?

Jay

Hi @Kolam Alur Survey, could you try contacting the support team directly for them to investigate this in more detail on their end?

Kolam Alur Survey

ok, i'll try it

Guilherme_Maito

Hello,

I have exactly the same problem, can you please help me?

My computer is already unlinked but I'm not able to delete backup files

Guilherme_Maito

Hello,

I have the same problem. I already unlink the old notebook from dropbox but I'm not able to delete my backup files.

Br,