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dualice's avatar
dualice
New member | Level 2
3 years ago

Why do shared files count against my space use???

Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage? Is this data counted twice? If someone who is sharing files with me is paying for this space, why should I have to pay as well just to acc...
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  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    3 years ago
    dualice wrote:

    Why are files shared with me counted against my space usage?

    Because the files exist in your account.

     

    When you have access to a shared folder, you're not accessing someone else's folder. You're accessing your own COPY of the folder within your account, and you need to have enough space available to hold that folder.

     

     

    If you just need to view or download files that someone else is sharing with you, ask them to send you a shared link instead. A shared link is a view-only method of sharing and you don't even need a Dropbox account to access it.

Vrdenton's avatar
Vrdenton
New member | Level 2
Hi. So, I've never used Dropbox before and I have the basic plan. I really can't afford to upgrade to the price of some of the plans they recommend me, but my boss is trying to share with me his YouTube Shared Folder of his videos so I can edit them for his YouTube channel. I have not been able to access them because it tells me my Dropbox is out of space even though I have nothing in it. Is there any way that he can send those files to me or send me the folder so that I don't have to pay in order to get them? I literally have to click add to Dropbox just to be able to open the folder, but I don't want to have to pay for a plan when I already need to pay for editing software. Can anyone help me out here?
Hannah's avatar
Hannah
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
2 years ago

Hey Vrdenton, thanks for reaching out to our Community.

 

I moved your post to this thread, which is relevant to your issue and has some info on what you can do.

 

Basically, since shared folders take up your own space as well, your boss could send you a "can view" link instead.

 

This will allow you to access and download the files.

 

And if you need to upload the edited versions to their account, they can send you a file request instead.

 

I hope this helps!

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