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Forum Discussion

timq's avatar
timq
Helpful | Level 5
4 years ago
Solved

How can I cancel my computer backup?

I apparently selected pc backup when I installed Dropbox and naturally I'm out of storage on my Dropbox account now.  I don't want and have no need to have my pc backed up to it.  I have the desktop ...
Computer Backup
Delete
desktop
Space and storage
sync
  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    4 years ago
    Hey timq, welcome aboard our Community!

    Indeed, with computer backup, if you delete your desktop files from Dropbox, they will also be deleted from your computer. 

    If you want to disable the backup feature, you can follow the steps here.

    You'll find the Dropbox app's preferences, if you click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray.

    Let me know if you have any questions.
OVYM's avatar
OVYM
Helpful | Level 5
2 years ago

If I click on the Dropbox icon on my computer desktop, it brings up an empty file since I don't have any files stored in Dropbox. I have been through all settings online and can not find where to disconnect back-up, yet Dropbox says that my storage is nearly full because of back-up. I can't see anything being backed up and yet keep getting messages that my storage is nearly full.

Rich's avatar
Rich
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
2 years ago
OVYM wrote:

I have been through all settings online and can not find where to disconnect back-up, yet Dropbox says that my storage is nearly full because of back-up.

It's not the settings online that control this. You need to look in Preferences within the Dropbox application on your computer.

 

I can't see anything being backed up and yet keep getting messages that my storage is nearly full.
  • OVYM's avatar
    OVYM
    Helpful | Level 5
    2 years ago

    Clicking on the Dropbox icon on my computer did not get me to this, but clicking on the link you used took me straight to the Dropbox Backup controls, showed my PC linked, and allowed me to delete the connection. THANK YOU!! After sorting through a maze of links, online chat suggestions, and Community advice, yours is the first that took me straight to what I needed. MUCH APPRECIATED!

  • jfo888's avatar
    jfo888
    Helpful | Level 5
    2 years ago

    I have clicked on my photo/avatar in top right hand corner and it DOES NOT show preferences, only 

     

     

    SO where the hell can somewhere tell me where to find PREFERENCES so I can stop backups happening !!! aarrgghh

    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      2 years ago

      Hey jfo888, sorry to see you're having trouble disabling the backup feature.

       

      You're currently looking at our website, but you actually need the desktop app preferences to do this.

       

      You'll need to click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar and then you'll be able to follow the rest of the steps.

      • jfo888's avatar
        jfo888
        Helpful | Level 5
        2 years ago

        Thanks Hannah I've found it.

         

        If I don't want anythin auto backed up is it just that I don't put a tick in the boxes ? 

         

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