Dropbox is a popular cloud storage service that allows users to store and sync their files across multiple devices. However, there may come a time when you want to remove the Dropbox application from your computer without deleting the files stored in your Dropbox account. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to remove Dropbox from your computer while keeping your files intact.
Step 1: Launch the Dropbox application on your computer by clicking on the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.
Step 2: Once the Dropbox application is open, click on the "Preferences" option. On Windows, this can be found by clicking on the gear icon in the bottom-right corner and selecting "Preferences." On Mac, click on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar and choose "Preferences."
Step 3: In the Preferences window, navigate to the "Sync" tab.
Step 4: Under the "Selective Sync" section, click on the "Change Settings" button.
Step 5: A new window will appear with a list of all the folders in your Dropbox account. Uncheck the boxes next to the folders you want to remove from your computer. These folders will no longer be synced to your computer, but the files will remain in your Dropbox account.
Step 6: Once you have deselected the folders you want to remove, click on the "Update" or "Apply" button to save the changes.
Step 7: Now, you can safely uninstall the Dropbox application from your computer without deleting any files. On Windows, go to "Control Panel" > "Programs" > "Uninstall a program," select Dropbox, and click on "Uninstall." On Mac, simply drag the Dropbox application from the "Applications" folder to the Trash.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Allows you to remove the Dropbox application without deleting any files. | 1. You won’t have access to your files offline once Dropbox is removed from your computer. |
| 2. Frees up storage space on your computer by not syncing certain folders. | 2. May require reinstallation of Dropbox in the future if you want to access all files on your computer. |
| 3. Provides flexibility to choose which folders to keep on your computer. | 3. Requires manual management of syncing folders to ensure files are up-to-date across devices. |
Video Tutorial:Why are Dropbox files still on my computer?
How to remove Dropbox from Mac without deleting files from Dropbox?
To remove Dropbox from your Mac without deleting your files from Dropbox, you can follow the steps outlined below:
1. Quit the Dropbox application: Make sure you’re not currently syncing any files by closing the Dropbox application. To do this, click on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, select the gear icon, and choose "Quit Dropbox."
2. Pause syncing: Open the Dropbox application again, locate the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, and click on it. From the menu, select the gear icon and go to "Preferences." In the "Sync" tab, click on "Pause Syncing" to temporarily halt the sync process. This step is crucial to prevent any changes during the removal process.
3. Unlink your Dropbox account: On the Dropbox application, click on the account avatar or initials in the top-right corner of the window. Select "Preferences" from the drop-down menu. In the "Account" tab, click on the "Unlink This Dropbox" button. This will dissociate your Mac from your Dropbox account.
4. Remove Dropbox application: Open a Finder window and navigate to the "Applications" folder. Find the Dropbox app and drag it to the Trash or right-click on it and select "Move to Trash." You may need to enter your administrator password to confirm the removal.
5. Delete Dropbox’s system files: In the Finder, click on the "Go" menu at the top and choose "Go to Folder." Enter "~/Library" to access your user library folder. Locate and delete the following items:
– Application Support/Dropbox
– Caches/com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate
– Caches/com.getdropbox.dropbox.garcon
– Preferences/com.dropbox.DropboxMacUpdate.plist
6. Empty the Trash: Finally, open the Trash and empty it to completely remove Dropbox from your Mac. Be cautious and double-check that you haven’t accidentally placed any important files in the Trash before proceeding.
Note: Removing Dropbox from your Mac won’t delete any of your files stored in the cloud. They will still be accessible via the Dropbox website or other devices linked to your Dropbox account.
Remember, the instructions provided here are for educational purposes and may vary with different macOS versions or Dropbox updates. It’s always recommended to refer to official documentation or consult with Dropbox support if you encounter any issues.
Why are all my Dropbox files on my computer?
Having all your Dropbox files on your computer can be attributed to the way you have set up sync settings for your Dropbox account. Dropbox offers seamless synchronization between your computer and the cloud, making it easy to access your files from various devices. Here are a few possible reasons why your Dropbox files are all on your computer:
1. Syncing: Dropbox uses a feature called Selective Sync, allowing you to choose which files and folders to sync to your computer. If you have selected all your files and folders to be synced, then they will be stored on your computer’s local storage.
2. Storage Limitations: Dropbox offers different storage plans with varying storage capacity. If your Dropbox storage plan has enough space to accommodate all your files, it’s likely that the sync settings have been set up to sync everything.
3. Offline Access: By syncing your files to your computer, you can access them even when you’re offline or if there are internet connectivity issues. This feature ensures that you have access to your important files at all times, regardless of your internet access.
4. Quick Access: Storing your Dropbox files on your computer allows for faster access and improves overall performance when accessing files. Retrieving files from your local storage is generally quicker compared to streaming them from the cloud.
5. Backup: Having a local copy of your Dropbox files serves as an additional backup in case of any data loss or if your Dropbox account experiences any issues. This approach gives you redundancy and helps protect against potential data loss incidents.
If you prefer not to have all your Dropbox files on your computer, you can modify the selective sync settings. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Open the Dropbox application on your computer.
2. Click on the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.
3. Select the gear icon to access the Dropbox preferences or settings.
4. Look for the "Sync" or "Selective Sync" option.
5. In the selective sync settings, uncheck the folders or files that you don’t want to sync to your computer.
6. Save the changes, and Dropbox will begin updating your sync settings accordingly.
By adjusting the selective sync settings, you can tailor your Dropbox storage to only sync the specific files and folders that are essential to you, freeing up local storage space on your computer.
What happens if I delete Dropbox folder on Mac?
Deleting the Dropbox folder on your Mac can have various consequences depending on how you have set up and used Dropbox. Here are some possible scenarios and their outcomes:
1. Deleting the Dropbox Folder without Uninstalling Dropbox:
– If you delete the Dropbox folder from your Mac without uninstalling the Dropbox application, it will still continue to run in the background and sync files. However, it won’t have access to the deleted folder and won’t sync any changes made to it.
– The deleted folder and its contents get moved to the Trash on your Mac. You can restore them from the Trash if needed.
– If you reinstall Dropbox in the future or reconnect your account, it will create a new Dropbox folder and start syncing files again. However, the previously deleted folder won’t be restored.
2. Deleting the Dropbox Folder and Uninstalling Dropbox:
– If you delete the Dropbox folder and also uninstall the Dropbox application from your Mac, it will completely remove Dropbox from your system.
– All the files synced with Dropbox will no longer be accessible on your Mac.
– The deleted folder and its contents get moved to the Trash on your Mac. You can restore them from the Trash if needed.
– If you reinstall Dropbox in the future or reconnect your account, it will create a new Dropbox folder, and you’ll need to resync your files again.
Before deleting the Dropbox folder on your Mac, ensure you have a backup of any important files stored within it. Additionally, consider checking the Dropbox website or reaching out to their support for specific guidance related to your case, as their software might have changed since this article was written.
Will uninstalling Dropbox delete files?
Uninstalling Dropbox from your device will not delete your files as they are stored on the Dropbox servers. However, before proceeding with the uninstallation, it is always recommended to check if your files are properly synced and backed up. Here are the steps to take:
1. Ensure sync is complete: Open the Dropbox desktop or mobile app and look for the sync indicator. It usually appears as a spinning icon or a green checkmark. Wait until all your files are successfully synchronized before proceeding.
2. Backup files: If you want an additional layer of protection, consider creating a local backup of your important files before uninstalling Dropbox. You can copy the Dropbox folder to an external hard drive or another location on your device.
3. Verify selective sync settings: Dropbox offers a feature called selective sync, allowing you to choose specific folders to sync to your device. Confirm that the folders you want to retain are selected for sync and others can be safely unsynced. This step ensures that you have offline access to the files you want to keep after uninstallation.
4. Export shared links or files: If you have shared any files or folders with others through Dropbox, make sure to export the shared link or download the files before uninstalling. Once Dropbox is uninstalled, these shared links may become inaccessible.
5. Uninstall Dropbox: Finally, you can proceed with uninstalling Dropbox from your device. On Windows, go to the Control Panel, click on "Uninstall a program," locate Dropbox, and follow the uninstallation wizard. On Mac, drag the Dropbox application from the "Applications" folder to the Trash and empty it.
By following these steps, you can safely uninstall Dropbox without deleting your files. Remember to keep a backup of your important files and export any shared links before removing Dropbox from your device.
How do I stop Dropbox from being stored on my Mac?
To stop Dropbox from being stored on your Mac, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the Dropbox application on your Mac.
2. Click on the Dropbox icon in the menu bar and select "Preferences" from the dropdown menu.
3. In the Dropbox preferences window, click on the "Sync" tab.
4. Under the "Selective Sync" section, click on the "Change Settings" button.
5. A window will appear showing a list of all the folders and files in your Dropbox. Uncheck the folders and files that you don’t want to be stored on your Mac.
6. After making your selection, click on the "Update" button to save your changes.
By following these steps, the unchecked folders and files will be removed from your Mac, but they will still be available on the Dropbox website and on other devices where you have Dropbox installed. This selective sync feature allows you to control which content is stored locally on your Mac and which content is only available online.
How do I remove Dropbox from my PC without deleting files?
Removing Dropbox from your PC without deleting files is a straightforward process that involves a few steps. Follow these steps:
1. Sign out of Dropbox: Begin by signing out of your Dropbox account on your PC. This ensures that all syncing processes are temporarily halted.
2. Pause syncing: Access the Dropbox desktop application on your PC. Look for the Dropbox icon in your system tray or menu bar and right-click on it. From the context menu, select "Pause syncing." This will temporarily stop the syncing process.
3. Locate the Dropbox folder: Open the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) and navigate to the location where your Dropbox folder is saved. By default, it is typically found in the user’s directory or the "Documents" folder.
4. Backup your files: Before removing Dropbox, it’s always a good idea to create a backup of your files. Copy the entire Dropbox folder to another location on your PC, an external hard drive, or a cloud storage service.
5. Unlink your account: Open the Dropbox desktop application and click on your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner. From the drop-down menu, select "Preferences" or "Settings," then choose the "Sync" or "Account" tab. Within the settings, look for an option to unlink or disconnect your account. Click on it to remove the connection between your PC and Dropbox.
6. Uninstall the Dropbox application: Open the Control Panel (Windows) or Launchpad (Mac) and locate the list of installed programs. Search for Dropbox in the list, right-click on it, and select "Uninstall" or "Move to Trash." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the removal process.
By following these steps, you can remove the Dropbox application from your PC without deleting any files. Remember to keep your backup handy for future reference or if you decide to reinstall Dropbox again.