Delete Dropbox Files from your Computer

Dropbox is a cloud-based storage platform that allows users to access and store files. If you’re a Dropbox user and have stored plenty of files there, or if you lack storage space on the platform, remove unnecessary files to make room for more!

How to Remove Files From Dropbox Through the Desktop Client

Ahead, we will discuss instructions on how to use the Dropbox desktop client for MacOS users. Windows and Linux users can also follow these instructions, but there might be some differences.

 

  1. Launch the Dropbox desktop client.
  2. Go to the file you want to delete.
  3. Do a right-click on the file and tap on Delete.

 

Tip: Users can also click on a file, choose the 3-dot in the previewer on the right, and confirm Delete. If you want more ease, drag and drop a file in your computer trash can.

 

    4.There might be a text asking if you really wish to remove the file. If you want to make more room on your computer hard drive but keep the file on your Dropbox as well, choose See sync options to discover how to enable this option.

 

If you have decided to remove the file on the entire account, choose Delete Everywhere.

 

Note: If you wish to permanently remove files or recover deleted files, open Dropbox.com in a web browser.

How to Remove Files From Dropbox.com

It is also possible to utilize the web client to make some room in the Dropbox account. Here are the instructions:

    1. Launch Dropbox.com in a web browser.
    2. Log in to your account
    3. Navigate to the file you want to delete
    4. Go to the file that you wish to remove. 
    5. Click on the three dots beside the file name.
    6. Confirm Delete.
    7. Users can recover the removed file, but only for some time. Your storage space will remain unaffected until the file is permanently removed. Click on the Deleted files in the left menu if you want to permanently remove or restore the file that was removed.
    8. Hover the cursor on the file that you wish to permanently remove or recover. 
    9. Click on the checkbox on the left side.
    10. Choose Permanently delete or Restore on the right side.

How to Remove Dropbox Files From the Mobile App

Both Android and iOS users can follow the below instructions:

  1. Launch the Dropbox app on your mobile phone.
  2. Go to the file that has to be removed.
  3. Click on the three dots beneath the file.
  4. Confirm Delete.

Note: If users want to permanently remove or restore a file, it can only be done from Dropbox.com.

What Are the Benefits of Removing Files from Your Dropbox Account?

Removing files from your Dropbox account will offer the following perks:

  • It provides you the chance to restore files in a limited time based on your Dropbox plan.
  • Instantly makes room in your Dropbox account for more important documents.
  • Ensures that all your folders and files are neatly arranged.
  • No need to upgrade to a costly plan to have more storage room.
  • Erases the unnecessary or old documents.
  • Save users time from searching through all folders and documents.

Keep in mind that if you are a Dropbox free basic or Plus account user, you have the opportunity to restore removed documents for 30 days after deleting them. But if you are a Business account user, the restore time needed is 120 days. As for the Professional account users, they will have to wait for 180 days.

What Are the Downsides of Removing Files From Your Dropbox Account?

Removing documents from a Dropbox account can lead to the following disadvantages:

  • Storage space will only be freed if a user permanently deletes a document.
  • It is not possible to restore a document once the recovery time is over.
  • It is not possible to permanently remove documents from a shared folder unless it is the file you added and instantly removed.
  • If a user permanently removes a file, it will be lost forever.
  • It might not be possible to mass delete files simultaneously because Dropbox restricts the amount of documents that can be removed at one time.