How to Unsync Dropbox from Computer on Windows and Mac

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To unsync Dropbox from your computer, you need to disconnect it from your account. This process is different for Windows and Mac users.

For Windows users, you can do this by going to the Dropbox folder on your computer, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Unlink this computer." This will remove Dropbox from your computer.

On a Mac, you can unsync Dropbox by going to the Dropbox folder, right-clicking on it, and selecting "Unlink this computer" or by going to the Dropbox preferences and clicking "Unlink this computer" under the "Account" tab.

Once you've unsynced Dropbox, you can delete the Dropbox folder from your computer to free up space.

Unsyncing Dropbox from Computer

You can unsync Dropbox from your computer without deleting files, and it's actually pretty easy.

There are three easy ways to do it, and I'll walk you through each one.

First, you can use the Dropbox app to unsync your folders. This method works on both PC and Mac.

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To unsync a folder on your PC, find the Dropbox icon in the desktop system tray, right-click it, and click Preferences in the menu. Then, under the General tab, select the Unlink this computer... button to remove Dropbox from this computer.

On a Mac, click the Dropbox icon in the menu bar at the top of the desktop, then click the settings icon in the lower right corner of the pop-up menu, and select Preferences. Under the Account tab, find the Unlink This Computer button and click on it.

You can also use the Dropbox desktop client to easily set up unsyncing. This method works on both PC and Mac, and it's a good option if you want to unsync multiple folders at once.

To unsync a folder using the Dropbox desktop client, follow the same steps as above, but instead of selecting the Unlink this computer... button, click on the Unlink button to confirm unsyncing.

Here are the steps to unsync Dropbox from your computer, summarized in a table:

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Removing Folders and Files

Credit: youtube.com, How to Unlink Dropbox Syncing folder from your Laptop/PC? Remove/Disconnect from Computer| Dropbox

If you need to remove a folder or file from Dropbox, you can do so by moving it out of the Dropbox folder. This will stop the sync process for that file or folder.

You can also unlink a folder from Dropbox, which will remove it from your Dropbox account without deleting the files. There are three ways to do this: through the Dropbox website, the Dropbox app on PC, or the Dropbox app on Mac.

To unlink a folder from the Dropbox website, go to the General tab in the Preferences menu and click the Unlink this computer... button. This will remove Dropbox from your computer without deleting files.

On a Mac, you can unlink a folder by clicking the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, selecting Preferences, and then clicking the Unlink This Computer button. This will prompt you to confirm the action.

If you need to permanently stop Dropbox sync, you can remove or delete the target file from the Dropbox folder. The application will stop syncing the target file.

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Here are the steps to unlink a folder from the Dropbox app on PC and Mac:

By following these steps, you can remove a folder or file from Dropbox and stop the sync process.

Selective Sync and Disconnection

You can use Dropbox's selective sync feature to stop syncing individual files to your computer. This feature is available for all Dropbox users, and you can enable it by unselecting the folders that you want to keep on the cloud.

Dropbox selective sync is a great way to free up disk space on your computer and prevent the wrong files from being uploaded to the cloud. By unselecting the folders you don't need, you can keep your files safe and accessible, but not taking up space on your computer.

Here are the 8 ways to stop Dropbox syncing folders:

  • Pause the sync process
  • Disconnect your account
  • Disconnect from the network
  • Unlink Dropbox account
  • Move the file out of the Dropbox folder
  • Turn off the device
  • Use Dropbox selective sync
  • Make Dropbox Files Online-Only

This will delete your Dropbox account from your Mac, and you won't be able to sync with Dropbox on your computer, phone, or tablet. You'll also lose access to any shared files.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Use Dropbox Selective Sync - Save Computer Hard Drive Space

To confirm, you'll see a note that says "After deleting your Dropbox account, you will no longer be able to sync with DropBox on your computer, phone or tablet."

If you're not ready to delete your account, you can consider using Dropbox selective sync or making files online-only, but unlinking your account is a more permanent solution.

Here are the steps to unlink your Dropbox account on Mac:

  • Turn on your Mac computer.
  • Go to the Dropbox settings and click on "Unlink Dropbox to this Mac."

Note that unlinking your Dropbox account on Mac is a one-way process, and you won't be able to recover your account once it's deleted.

Selective Sync

Selective Sync allows you to choose which folders you want to sync to your computer, giving you more control over your Dropbox storage.

You can enable Dropbox selective sync to stop syncing individual files to your computer, freeing up disk space for better performance.

Dropbox selective sync is available for all Dropbox users, making it a convenient option for those who want to customize their syncing experience.

Credit: youtube.com, Dropbox Smart Sync Vs Selective Sync – What’s the Difference? (2023)

To use Dropbox selective sync, you can enable it from the Dropbox desktop client or the Dropbox website.

Here are the steps to enable Dropbox selective sync:

  • Enable Dropbox selective sync from the Dropbox desktop client by going to Preferences and selecting the folders you want to sync.
  • Unselect the folders that you want to keep on the cloud, and your computer will free up disk space.

By using Dropbox selective sync, you can choose which files and folders to sync to your computer, giving you more control over your Dropbox storage.

Dropbox selective sync can be a game-changer for those who want to reduce their disk space usage or prevent unwanted files from syncing to the cloud.

Remember, Dropbox selective sync is a feature that's available for all Dropbox users, so you can take advantage of it without any additional costs or fees.

By customizing your syncing experience with Dropbox selective sync, you can ensure that your Dropbox storage is used efficiently and effectively.

Other Solutions and Tips

If you've tried the usual troubleshooting methods and still can't get Dropbox to unsync from your computer, there are a few more things you can try.

Credit: youtube.com, How to Fix Dropbox Sync Issues - Not Syncing and Other Issues

Unlinking your Dropbox account might be a good idea, as it can sometimes resolve issues with syncing.

If you're still having trouble, you can try installing Dropbox from the Windows Store, as this can sometimes help resolve syncing issues.

Running the App Troubleshooter is another option, which can help identify and fix any problems with the Dropbox app.

Closing other applications can also help, as they might be interfering with Dropbox's syncing process.

Renaming the files in your Dropbox folder can also be worth a try, as this can sometimes resolve issues with syncing.

Make sure to update the Dropbox application to the latest version, as this can often resolve syncing issues.

If you're still stuck, you can try some of the other methods listed below.

Windows 10

Windows 10 users have reported issues with Dropbox, including Dropbox not updating shared folders and Dropbox stuck syncing.

Dropbox sync issues are common, just like Google Drive not syncing Windows 10.

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The main causes of Dropbox sync issues are misconfigurations and bugs in settings, file in use, identical names, firewall issues, and Proxy settings.

Many users have encountered problems with Dropbox not syncing files or folders, which can be frustrating.

To fix the issue, you can try checking your Dropbox settings and making sure they are correctly configured.

Thomas Goodwin

Lead Writer

Thomas Goodwin is a seasoned writer with a passion for exploring the intersection of technology and business. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex concepts, he has established himself as a trusted voice in the tech industry. Thomas's writing portfolio spans a range of topics, including Azure Virtual Desktop and Cloud Computing Costs.

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