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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.
The same issue affected me as well. I bought the premium account, uploaded 200GB of personal photos, created an additional free account for my wife and expected that i could share the files with her so she could sometimes view them on her phone.
FYI.... i migrated over from google drive as i much prefer dropbox's linux/android/windows apps but this is a big let down thb...
Im no fan of some of the things DB do.
However on this "Using of space in my account for files in shared folders" issue, I would like to point out the following.
FACTS:
1. DB do not store separate copies of files no matter if you share that file or not, if it is the same file in two accounts of people totally unconnected, DB only store one copy of the file.
2. SHARED FIILES SHOW IN YOUR ACCOUNT, SO YOU HAVE THEM.
3. SHARED FILES SHOW IN OTHERS ACCOUNTS, SO THEY HAVE THEM.
4. SHARED FILES UPDATE IN ALL ACCOUNTS WITH THEM, COOL BONUS!
Now many people dont understand (1), but thats how its done, you didnt think they actually gave 100's of millions of people freely 2GB of actual storage space did you?
If your accounts empty it doesnt use any space anywhere!
If you fill your space with unique files (say photos you have) then good for you, you managed to squeeze 2GB of actual storage out of them.
If you uploaded the ISO image of Office2010 well I suspect someone else has already so they point your image of it and that persons image of it and the other 45,728 people with that images to the SAME FILE! (how is that possible when you might change your file? If you change your file then they make a separate copy with your changes and point your one at that).
So maybe now it becomes clearer that you dont actually have ANY files in your account, just pointers to files they store for everyone.
So what is a shared folder, all they are doing is instead of pointing each file listing in your account at the file they have stored, they point the folder (the shared one) at the same folder every one else is pointing at, so anyone updates a file in the folder and everyone gets the update. (try renaming a big folder in your account, and watch how long that takes, it takes so long because they must move each file from the old folder name to the new folder name, they cant actually rename the folder doe to how they make them, try renaming a shared folder, and BANG its done, because all they did it renamed YOUR pointer to the folder, rename a folder in the shared folder and watch it take ages again)
Many say, but its not MY shared folder, will it IS YOUR SHARED FOLDER, your sharing it arent you? you have the files in the folder dont you? Why do you insist its not yours, you have the files, you have what permission you agreeded to have on accepting the files, stop whining that your expected to have room for the files!
Imagine you were offered a photocopier that can reproduce on demand any book in a library in your capital cities archive, and now your crying that you have to use your paper in the copier!
WHY WHY WHY when its someone elses book your getting a copy of! HOW DARE THEY!
mahahahahahahah
Richard P.Super User alumni
This thread is closed, personal attacks are not acceptable.
Corstiann S:
So do you have a copy of all the files in your dropbox? YES
And do those files ALSO sync with the other persons copy of the files in their dropbox? YES
So you have something even BETTER than a normal folder that just sits in your dropbox? YES
.
So dont you think its fair that your dropbox is big enough to put your copy of the file into? ..... well ..... ummmm ..... yes :p- Rich
Super User II
John, do you have enough available space on your local hard drive?
@Adam C.
Your case falls down on the second point.
RE: "I then get given shared access to some space for some sort of shared project. I perhaps need 1GB files from there, which I regularly use."
Dropbox has no functionality for the above example point.
What you are given the opportunity to access or decline access to is a SHARED FOLDER, A shared folder enables you to COLLABORATE either as a viewer or editor (depending on offered access) of any file any editor adds or edits in that folder. Access to those files consumes your quota of accessible space.
No one is giving you their space, they are allowing you access to content.
If your finding people add huge volumes of files to shared folders your in , if a viewer, simply delete the folder, and use the sharing link to restore it at any time you might want to look at the folder again, and if your an editor teach them a lesson by deleting all the files.
Allen C. : Sharing a folder is about collaborating on the content, if you just wanted people to upload files then you can create a File Request link and supply it to people, from which they can go to the link and upload files.
Thanks, Dave. I've asked the other person to send me the File Request link and it sounds like that should take care of the problem. How should she have set things up so that those she wanted to be able to view the contents of the folders she set up for the wedding would be able to? I am thinking she had to share the folders. Isn't that correct or is there another way that would still allow someone to upload photos to the folders in her Dropbox without the File Request link?
Ben L. : Hey I can see your examples as feasible and real, and Im In no way said there are not ways to smart the system or produce huge traffic volumes on one account. Im just expressing what and why Db do what they do.
If one user has 500 machines all syncing a nice big 100GB file that completely changes each day they will use huge volumes of traffic, and DB will eat the hat on that one, but most dont so they have set themselves up where they think they get the best deal.
My comments dont address why your complaining as that would be a opinion on the user and thus trolling (imo), only what your complaining about.
If your making unhappy about the lack of info DB project about the use of space when sharing, this I dont disagree, Db on many items dont project accurate information (I'm standing just off the line of calling some of their website claims LIES by the way, And some of their biz customer sales claims I cant even stand there they were well over the porkypig line)
I will remind you that I like you am a user, I have never given people 2GB of space IN THEIR DROPBOX, yet if I had, and I did a count on all the files people have IN THEIR DROPBOX and its more than 2GB then I would stop syncing stuff, since thats more space than I allowed them to have.
Misleading yes, deceptive, nope, leaving sorry to see you go (unless you are not a paying customer then it makes no difference to me. We are paying, so help support the free customers of DB, one more or less wont phase me)
