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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 ...
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.
kevin f. : all is not lost my friend :-)
You DONT have to UNSHARE the folder, just DELETE it from your dropbox. Its the HAVING the folder in your dropbox that takes you over quota, not the being in the SHARE.
UNSHARING the folder means your not in the SHARE (so no quota use).
DELETING the folder means your not viewing the SHARE (so no quota use).
See this for an example.
1) Join the shared folder. (you go over quota)
2) I suggest you UNSYNC the folder from your devices. (you remain over quota)
3) Delete the folder via the cloud. (Your back under quota)
4) When needed click the SHARING tab, and rejoin the folder (you go over quota again)
5) When finished with the folder go to (3)
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Users can even be real tricky by first joining the folder, not unsyncing it, then the WHOLE folder downloads to your computer, and THEN you stop syncing. Soyou drag and drop the folder out of the DROPBOX folder, which as far as DB sees this is a folder delete (like 3).
You can then via your file browser, drag that folder back in to the DROPBOX folder and it performs a rejoin (like 4), The only concern with this is if files have been removed you can accidentally cause them to be re added and changed files sometimes cause sync conflicts, as they were in your copy of the folder. This can be fixed by before you drag the folder back in, deleting ALL files in the folder except for the .DROPBOX file (which is the key to DB knowing its the shared folder your rejoining).
When a empty folder is dragged in (with the .DROPBOX file in it) the DB app sees a join and that you need all the files of the share, so downloads them all. Sure you go over quota, but then just drag the folder back out again :-)
I hope this at least helps some users find a compromise between what they hopped for and what they get.
