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Forum Discussion

Skell's avatar
Skell
Explorer | Level 4
2 months ago

Exceeding Dropbox Basic storage and need to delete any duplicate files

Hi   I have exceeded the 2 gb of free Dropbox Basic storage (in UK) - only by a small amount but it has stopped syncing. I do not want to upgrade, so am hoping to delete or find duplicated docume...
Delete
Desktop
Dropbox Backup
Storage space
Mark's avatar
Mark
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

Yes they probably are duplicated. But dont forget that they work as 2 different systems. So backup wont let you edit/change/share etc. it is just a 'container' of all files. You cannot get things out to do with it anything - it restores it all. 

 

As for desktop - that's only something you can decide...

Skell's avatar
Skell
Explorer | Level 4
2 months ago

Hi Mark

Thank you for replying so quickly.

 

Apologies but I only have a very basic knowledge of Dropbox. 

 

I don't know what the 2 different systems are that you refer to.

 

I'm backing documents up in case my laptop ever stops working. I presume that I can download documents from my Dropbox backup and save them to a new laptop and then be able to edit them, etc as I wish?

 

Is that correct?

 

Also, how would I delete the Regular Files - as they are only noted on the coloured bar in the overview of my account showing the storage breakdown? Where are they actually listed?

 

Thank you.

Skell

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    2 months ago

    Hi @Skell 

     

    Yes thats how backup works. 

     

    However, what I mean is that the backup files are pretty much locked to that. 

     

    You cannot do things like you can the regular unbacked up ones. For example share between devices (so open them on a phone, or a laptop), share them with a family friend etc. 

     

    Those files show at www.dropbox.com/home

    • Skell's avatar
      Skell
      Explorer | Level 4
      2 months ago
      Hi Mark,

      I’d quite like to just delete the whole folder and save it afresh, in Backup. I hope that would get rid of any duplications.

      Can I do that?
      Will I need to delete my whole Dropbox account and start again? I’m happy to do that if I can.

      Many thanks
      Skell
      • Hannah's avatar
        Hannah
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        2 months ago

        Hey Skell, thanks for reaching out to us.

         

        Before you delete anything, you'll need to make sure that your backups are correct, to avoid losing any files you need.

         

        So, I can understand that you currently have files in two places in your Dropbox; one is your backups and one is your normal Dropbox directory.

         

        Your normal Dropbox files, like Mark suggested, can be found here.

         

        And your backed up files can be found here.

         

        Do you see that you have stored the same files in both places?

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