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Forum Discussion
If I delete a Dropbox file synced on my computer, will it delete it from my Dropbox account?
I have been trying to copy all of my files on my computer to drop box. I am on to pictures and have a ton - now I'm running out of space on my hard drive. Can I safely delete files from my hard drive...
Keiran wrote:
... I cannot delete it from my machine without losing my files ... Rubbish!Sure you can. As described previously, Selective Sync allows you to remove the local copy of a folder while keeping that folder in your account online. If you have a Professional account, you also have access to Smart Sync, which allows you to remove the local copy of a file or folder while still having it appear on your local drive.
What are the current (3/2019) answers to this question? Do I delete the app? Or no?
I need a place to put images and be able to remove from my devices.
Please advise.
I need a place to put images and be able to remove from my devices.
Please advise.
- Rich
Super User II
AngelStorm wrote:
What are the current (3/2019) answers to this question?The answers above are still accurate.
Do I delete the app? Or no?That depends on what you're trying to do. You haven't really provided much information.
I need a place to put images and be able to remove from my devices.Install the Dropbox app and sign-in. Move (not copy) your images to the Dropbox folder on your computer and wait for them to finish syncing (VERY important!). You want to see a green check on all your files to indicate that they're synced, and the Dropbox icon in your system tray on (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) will say Up to date when you hover your cursor over it.
Then, go into Dropbox Preferences, on the Sync tab, and click the Select Folders button under the Selective Sync section. Uncheck the folder(s) that you don't want to keep on your computer. Once you confirm the selections, any folder you've unchecked will be removed from your computer but will remain in your account online.
Again, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you wait for syncing to finish BEFORE you remove a folder using Selective Sync. Unchecking a folder that hasn't finished syncing will remove it from your computer before it has had a chance to upload to your account.
I understand that I can make a folder in my Dropbox folder on my computer and put files in it. The folder I made and the files I put in it will be uploaded to my online account. Once that process is complete, I can go into Selective Sync and un-check the folder. Then the folder and its contents will be removed from my computer Dropbox but still be present in my online account. Seems pretty simple.
I have Dropbox installed on multiple computers, and each had a different set of folders checked in Selective Sync. Dropbox online acts as the central repository and each computer only has the folders and files I need on that machine.What I don't understand is why when I delete a file or folder on one machine, I get a pop-up warning me that it will be deleted everywhere. On another computer, the file or folder just gets deleted (everywhere) but there is no pop-up. Is this difference in behavior dependent on Windows UAC settings? I don't see anything in Dropbox preferences (including Notifications) that relates to this warning pop-up.
