Child Item

Dropbox File Backup

I have managed to stop Dropbox from backing up my Mac but I can not figure out how to stop Dropbox from backing up a file, residing within the Dropbox cloud, that I have just edited.

If I don't manually monitor this function, double redundancies, there will be unnecessary backups everywhere.

Will this eventually cause me to run out of Dropbox space?

I would really like to disable this feature ASAP.

Thanks

Find more posts tagged with

Storage space

Dropbox Backup

Accepted answers

Jay

Hi @Bravo23, from the screenshot, the Dropbox site or service wouldn't create backup files or folders like that. This is most likely related to an app or service you're using to edit the file. Certain programs do create backup folders for restoration reasons.

All comments

Walter

Hi there @Bravo23, thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to the Community!

When you say the files is being backed up, could you clarify if you're using the Dropbox Backup feature for this or if you're just syncing it from within your Dropbox folder on your computer?

Thanks!

Bravo23

this is a new feature of dropbox a recent update. every time I edit a file, dropbox automatically creates a new folder using the file name and also automatically creates a backup of the file using the file name pule the word backup appended to the new file name.

example: if I edit file XYZ,txt, dropbox will creat a folder named "XYZ.txt" and place a file named "backup of XYZ.txt". this is totally an automated function of dropbox and I would like to turn it off was it consumes space & create junk files & folders I do not want.

thx.

Megan

Hey @Bravo23, can you send us a few screenshots, in order for us to have a clear visual of what you described?

Bravo23

I tried to "map" it out as accurately as I could. After retracing my typed mapping, you will find that it is accurate.

I attached 2 files, a JPG and a PDF but I can only see 1 in this message. They have identical information I just wanted to be as helpful as I can.

Notice the last column. Dropbox created a file folder with the same name as the file I edit and inserts a backup file in the folder in question.

Thx.

[Removed as per Community Guidelines]

Jay

Bravo23

Jay,

Thank you. It is MS Word 16 for Mac that was set to auto-save. It never entered my mine that this would be the resolution as I have not run auto-save since I started using Dropbox a few years ago. Microsoft strikes again.

Please except my apology for waisting your time.

Thx,

Red

Jay

No worries, glad to have helped out.

Enjoy your week ahead!