How do i remove files from dropbox without deleting them

  • You can delete files from Dropbox in order to recover storage space. 
  • You can delete files from Dropbox using your browser or the Dropbox app.
  • If you delete a file from Dropbox and later change your mind, you have up to 30 days to restore it.
  • Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

No matter which version of Dropbox you're using — the free Dropbox Basic service or one of the paid tiers — you don't have unlimited storage. This means you may sometimes need to delete certain files to make room for others. 

You can delete files from Dropbox using a browser or the app, which gives you quite a bit of flexibility. And even better, if you change your mind after deleting a file, you have up to a month to restore it.

Here's how to delete files from Dropbox using a Mac, PC, iPhone, or Android device.

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How to delete files from Dropbox using a browser

1. Using a Mac or PC, open the Dropbox website in your browser and sign into your account.

2. Click "Files" in the navigation pane on the left side of the window. 

3. Locate the file you want to delete and hover your mouse pointer over it.

4. Click the three dots on the right and then choose "Delete" from the drop-down menu. Confirm by clicking "Delete" a second time.

You can delete a file from Dropbox in a browser window with a couple of clicks. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to delete files from Dropbox using your desktop

If you're syncing Dropbox with your Mac or PC, deleting a Dropbox file is no different than deleting any other kind of file. 

Just open the synced Dropbox folder on your desktop and delete the file you want to eliminate. 

You may be asked if you want to delete the file "everywhere," or just off your computer. If you pick "everywhere," in a few seconds, that file will disappear from the online Dropbox server and any other devices you are syncing to.

How to delete files from Dropbox using the mobile app

1. Open the Dropbox app on your mobile device and tap "Files" at the bottom of the screen. 

2. Find the file you want to delete. 

3. Tap the three dots under the file and then, in the pop-up menu, tap "Delete." Tap "Delete" a second time to confirm you want to get rid of the file. After a few moments, it'll disappear from the Dropbox server and your synced devices. 

When you delete a file using the mobile app, it gets removed from the Dropbox server and other synchronized devices as well. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to restore a deleted file on Dropbox

If you deleted a file by accident, it's easy to restore. 

1. Open Dropbox in your browser and sign into your account.

2. Click "Deleted files" in the navigation pane on the left side of the window. 

3. Click the checkbox to the left of a file you want to restore, and then click "Restore."

You have up to 30 days to restore deleted files. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How do i remove files from dropbox without deleting them

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Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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How do I move files out of Dropbox?

To move a file in the Dropbox folder on your computer, drag the file or folder you'd like to move to a new location.

Does deleting files from computer delete from Dropbox?

If you delete a file from a shared folder, any member of the folder can restore the file. If you own the shared folder: After you permanently delete it, the folder is deleted from the Dropbox accounts of all members and their access is permanently removed.

How do I free up space on Dropbox?

If your Dropbox account is over your storage space quota then file syncing will stop..
Upgrade your account..
Increase your storage quota using referrals bonuses or other promotions..
Leave any shared folders that put you over quota..
Remove files from your Dropbox..