Cloud computing technology provides a central place to create, store, organize and access data on the Internet. Cloud is cost-efficient and convenient. For businesses, cloud computing completely eliminates the need to set up and maintain their own local server. For individual users, they don’t need to buy new storage drives such as external hard disks every time they run out of storage.
Duplicate files mean loss of storage space, subscription fees being paid for no benefit and not to forget the clutter and disorganization they bring. Duplicate Dropbox data means duplicates on the cloud and your computer. So what are you waiting for? Delete Dropbox duplicates today using Cloud Duplicate Finder.
Delete Dropbox Duplicates NOW!
Cloud Duplicate Finder uses teh official Dropbox API to gain limited access to your data
Storage drives such as external hard disks are expensive in nature and they have limited storage capacities. Cloud offers gigantic storage at lower costs. Whenever you run out of storage, there’s always an option to upgrade to a higher plan to expand your storage.
Dropbox – One of the Oldest & Popular Cloud Storage Platform
Dropbox was founded in 2007 by two students of MIT University. Today, it is one of the oldest and most popular cloud storage platforms. Dropbox has over 700 million users, out of which 15.48 million are paying users. From 2015 to 2020, Dropbox paying users have grown from 6.5 million to over 15.48 million.
Dropbox has a desktop application too. Using the desktop application, you can access files and folders stored on your Dropbox account straight from your PC. You can work on your files even when you’re offline. Dropbox application will automatically sync the changes whenever you’re connected to the Internet again.
Does Dropbox Take Up Your Computer’s Storage? If So, How to Free It Up?
Long answer short: Yes, it does.
When you install the Dropbox desktop app, it creates a Dropbox folder under the Users folder. All of your Dropbox files are automatically downloaded to this folder and any changes you’ve made to these files are automatically synced on the Internet. The idea behind using Dropbox is to keep a copy of your local files in sync with the online files. Unfortunately, this also costs your PC’s storage. You can free it up as follows:
Method 1: Make Dropbox Files Online-Only (Paid Users Only)
You can set the Dropbox application to make your files online only. This will remove any offline synced versions of your files and free up your disk space.
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to the Dropbox folder.
- Right-click on a file or folder you want to appear online only.
- Select Smart Sync.
- Choose the Online Only option.
Major Drawback
The free plan of Dropbox is quite restrictive in nature when compared to the free plans offered by other cloud storage services. You can use the Online-only feature only if you’re a paying user. This feature is only available for the Plus, Family, Professional and Business plans; and not to free users. Moreover, Dropbox offers only 2 GB of free storage compared to Google Drive which offers a gorgeous 15 GB for free.
Method 2: Use Selective Sync (Free & Paid Users)
Selective Sync, as the name describes, allows you to set custom synchronization preferences to sync specific folders in your Dropbox account. Fortunately, Selective Sync is available for both free and paid users.
When you choose the Selective Sync option, any unchecked folders that were already synced with your PC will be removed locally. This will free up valuable storage.
- Click on the Dropbox folder icon in the system tray area of the Taskbar.
- Click on your profile photo, and select Preferences.
- Click on the Sync button.
- Choose the Selective Sync option.
- Select the folders you want to sync offline. Uncheck the folders that you don’t want to sync offline.
- Click on Update.
Method 3: Delete Duplicate Files in your Dropbox Account
Duplicate documents, images, music and videos can eat up a lot of storage in your Dropbox account. Although Dropbox doesn’t offer any in-house functionality to find and clean duplicates, there’s another simple way using a third-party tool.
- Open the Cloud Duplicate Finder website.
- Sign-up and create a new account. The account sign-up is free. You’ll need to verify your account by clicking the activation link received in your registered email account.
- Log in to your CDF account and then click on the Dropbox tab.
- Click on Load Drive.
- You’ll be prompted to log in to your Dropbox account. Enter your Dropbox login credentials and then approve the account access permissions by clicking Allow.
- If your account is protected with 2-Factor Authentication, enter the OTP received on your registered email, mobile number or an authentication app.
- CDF will display a list of all the folders from your Dropbox account. You can select any folder(s) to check for dupes. Alternatively, you can expand them and choose sub-folders that you want to scan for dupes.
- Now click the Scan button to start the duplicate scan.
- Once the scan results are displayed, select the duplicate files you want to remove, and de-select the ones you want to keep.
- Click on Select Action > Delete option.
Benefits:
- Cloud Duplicate Finder works over-the-cloud. You don’t need to download any software.
- You can use CDF straight from your web browser regardless of the device and operating system you use. For example, You can use it from your smartphone, office laptop, home desktop, MacBook, tablet, etc.
- CDF is extremely bandwidth-friendly. It doesn’t require downloading your Dropbox files. Not only does it save your bandwidth but also precious time.
- Supports most popular cloud storage platforms including Dropbox, OneDrive, Google Drive, Box Cloud, Amazon S3, etc.
- Automated file selection: You don’t have to click through multiple files. You can select hundreds of files with One-Click using the Select Duplicates button and choose your desired action.
Method 4: Delete Temporary Files
You may also want to get rid of temporary files to free up some storage on your hard disk. It’s simple.
- Press the Windows Key + R shortcut keys combination.
- Type in temp and click on OK.
- In the newly opened Temp folder, delete all the files and sub-folders.