Child Item

How can I stop the automatic syncing of files?

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.

Find more posts tagged with

Desktop

Sync

Insightful

Closed - Partially Delivered

Comments

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.

Aloha1

Ok. Great. To be clear, do you mean to delete the large file in the backup or the backup option? My concern is deleting this file that’s been backed up will not touch the original that is on my computer. This is probably a stupid question but I’m unfamiliar with this.
Also, I need to ensure the backup feature is turned off. I so appreciate your help

Jay

One more thing to check, if you click the My PC (DESKTOP) from this image of yours, not the Dropbox site, what options do you get?

Aloha1

I clicked on the My PC (Desktop) in Dropbox and it shows files, this comes up. I'm only showing the top portion.

I've no idea how to access MY PC (Desktop) outside of Dropbox.

Please advise

Megan

Hi @Aloha1, can you access your Backup, the way you did here, and then click on "Manage Backups"?

Do you have the option to disable it there?

Aloha1

I can access the manage backup link and this appears. But it doesn't seem to offer a disable feature. Now this may have been done on an earlier computer I was working with and this one so would I need to open this on that computer?

Walter

Hey @Aloha1, if you can't access that computer at this time, you'll need to unlink it from your account's Security page to stop the backup and then manually move the content to the right places on your computer.

Let us know if this helps!

Aloha1

Thank you for this, I'll try to access previous computer. So, once I do, I should have the option to delete the large file and this won't be deleted from the computer, just from the backup? Then, I should be able to stop/pause any further automatic backups?

Walter

Yes, exactly. When on the previous computer, you can use these steps to disable the backup.

Let us know if you need anything else @Aloha1