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Forum Discussion
Dropbox full because of shared folder
Hi, i have a dropbox account and the free space that i have is full because of the files inside the shared folder that i have with some friends.
Is there a way to avoid that the shared folder that uses the free space of my account without cancelling those folder?
Because i have no more space and i haven't uploaded any files
Excuse me for my english but i found problem on trying to traduce this message from my language
Your English is very good Michele - well done!
And no, if you need read write access to that folder if will use your quota. If you just need read only access leave the share and ask the other person sends you a read only Shared link.
You can LEAVE and REJOIN a shared folder when ever you like.
So one method of getting space is to LEAVE the shared folder. And REJOIN it when you need it.
If you ONLY need some files from the shared folder and ONLY at some times, I would additionally ask the owner of the shared folder for a LINK to it, in that way you can use the link to it and download via web the files you need when you need them.
Although I don't agree with Dropbox, and this is the primary reason I won't spring for Pro, I understand why they did this.
It's simple, really. Say, someone creates 10 free accounts. 10 x 2GB = 20GB. Now, that person, from each account shares a folder with his main account. That person just got more, free, space.
Please help me to use Dropbox well I still have difficulty to understand what is Dropbox and what is the best of use it. Thanks
Alexis G.1Super User
@Kazem
Dropbox it's a useful sync application/service.
When you create an account in Dropbox.com and install the application in your computer, you will have a folder in your PC or MAC. Then, you move valuable data (photos, docs, music, emails, work docs, etc) to the folder and Dropbox will upload the files to the cloud.
And then, you have this 3 main benefits:
1-) You can have access to this valuable data from your smartphone, tablet or other computers.
2-) It's not a backup solution, but works as a backup in some scenarios. for example, if your HDD crash, you install a new HDD, install your operating system, install the Dropbox app and your files will be recovered. If your laptop is lost or stolen, you purchase a new laptop, install Dropbox and your files will be recovered.
3-) You can access your valuable files from www.dropbox.com
Richard P.Super User alumni
Question therefore – how, within Dropbox can I do this – please please please do not just say you have to get the original owner to send a new link, it MUST be a facility with Dropbox somewhere!!!
You do have to ask the original owner to send a new link - they are the ones who get to decide how the files are shared, you don't get to decide how you receive them within Dropbox I am afraid.
- Richard P.
Mike, if you use a shared folder, the effect is same regardless of the permissions of the people accepting the shared folder invites.
A shared link on the other hand is divorced from a recipients Dropbox account, and infact you dont even need a Dropbox account to access one, so there is nothing to allocate space from.
Shared folders get you the benefit of updates being synced, previous versions being available and a number of other things - shared links give you a one time view.
- Rich
Super User II
why is the data not allocated to all users when users are "readers" only.
In a shared folder, it is. The level of access you have to a shared folder doesn't matter. If a shared folder is in your account, even if you have view-only access, it counts against your storage quota (Business Teams are the exception to this).
For share links, which is a type of read-only sharing that doesn't require a Dropbox account, the data is not counted against you because the data doesn't reside in your account (assuming you have a Dropbox account, since one isn't needed for a link). You're just accessing a link to that data that allows you to view and/or download.
Edit: Ninja'd by Richard.
First time I've had this issue and dbox is pretty much dead/locked up - have the 2tb plan and have used less than 500gb - problem is with the Local hard drive - had been set up on Drive C but that was getting full so bought a new 5TB external HD - have a few progs on there, etc but right now it says there are 2.6TB free space - yet DB says it can't download any cloud files as the local/computer disk is "full" - what gives? And yes, did change the d/l location to the new drive and all worked well for say 6 months - now getting this new issue
I have a 5TB drive on each of two computers that are to sync - no problem with the other one except that DB doesn't want to work at all (syncing) but no "drive full" issues - have had DB for years now and no issues, all working fine - now having issues on both main computers that are supposed to be synced (but they're not) so having to look at other options such as Sync and Amazon- would prefer to keep DB but having to spend an inordinate amount of time TRYING to get it working via multiple remove/re-installs, etc ad nauseum - lots of wasted time and Amz's plan for unlimited images is only $12/year so think I'll try that for images and their other plan or Sync for other file types - maybe DB will miraculously fix itself before I make the jump
@Ben L.
Your mentioning my writing quality and your perception of arrogance etc etc, just goes to show your a troll rather than a contributor, just because you don't like my opinion, does not authorize you to make a personal attack, so ill reply to that attack with a "Boo hoo for you crybaby"
Question : If BOB downloads these shared files why isnt ALICE who shared them with them billed the internet traffic used to download them, why is it that BOBs isp uses up his traffic quota, I mean they are ALICEs files right?
Answer : Because Bob is getting the files, his ISP doesnt care where they came from, he got them, he pays for them, where they came from doesnt effect that he has them. Oh wow just like DB.
@Gerald Y.
Since you feel the need to commit to a personal attack, ill reply as an example with with "your a jerk, that only your mum would love" , see how that means nothing :-)
As for your logic that users are complaining that there space got used up because someone else uploaded files, well then they should not have agreed to join said shared folder where they knew others could upload files to, but of course they did, because they wanted to get those shared files in there account, and get them in they did and so that used up the space. That they expected something for nothing and didnt get it, isnt valid reason for complaint.
DB commit to some very unsettling acts such as prompting that they are about to erase files but its ok as they are on the cloud, when that is not always the case. Compare that to "I want something for free" and you might consider there are some far more significant things to complain about.
And really the case has been put on both sides, dont like it, use another cloud provider, DB wont change this, they dont change anything on user request, I doubt they even read this forum.
Although I don't agree with Dropbox, and this is the primary reason I won't spring for Pro, I understand why they did this.
It's simple, really. Say, someone creates 10 free accounts. 10 x 2GB = 20GB. Now, that person, from each account shares a folder with his main account. That person just got more, free, space.
I have a free dropbox account with only a few files stored in it directly (files I've uploaded or others have uploaded to my account). Recently someone shared a folder with me that has many files including one folder with nearly 4GB of files. Those files are (as far as I can tell) in the account of the person/organization that shared them with me. So do files shared with me also count toward my storage space (as if they are taking up space in two accounts)?
Someone I know pointed me to this, so I guess I've answered my own question. I searched but didn't find that document earlier. In short, yes it DOES count toward my storage space so my alternative is to either re-build the share omitting that folder, or use a shared link to the entire thing.
