Skip to main content

Free up space and work smarter

Dropbox helps you manage your files to free up disk space and store your content securely. Clean up your file storage and rest easy knowing your files are safe in the cloud.

PDF file saved in a Dropbox folder that is being marked online-only

Free up storage space

It’s all too easy to fill up your computer’s hard drive space with documents, photos, and videos. With Dropbox, you can easily free up hard drive space by storing your files and folders as online-only. Best of all, you still have access to your files without uninstalling programs, deleting files, or lugging around an external hard drive. 

A user adding a PDF file to Dropbox

How can I free up storage space on my device with Dropbox?

See all of your files offline, too

Dropbox makes it easy to keep your files organized, accessible, and front of mind. You can view your files—even your online-only files—in your file explorer, just as you would any other file on your computer. You can also easily manage your storage settings and sync files when you need them.

If you need more free space, you can send your files to the cloud with just a click. That means spending less time managing storage space and more time doing work that matters.

A folder being synced offline

Keep everything safe—and in one place

Dropbox provides one central, structured location for you to manage and access your content. You can organize your files into folders and subfolders so you know where to put things and how to find them.

This makes it easier to keep track of your files and helps you clear any clutter. Say goodbye to trawling through seemingly endless lists of files—and hello to a more streamlined way of working.

A visual representation of the file and folder organization features within your Dropbox account.

Frequently asked questions

There are several ways to clear disk space or free up space on your computer. Methods include deleting files from the recycle bin, clearing duplicate or temporary files (for example, from your downloads folder), or performing a disk cleanup. 

Another efficient way to free up space on your computer’s hard drive is by storing files you don’t access often in the cloud. With Dropbox, you can move the files and folders you’re not currently using to dropbox.com by making them “online-only”. This way, you can free up disk space on your hard drive and save storage space on your computer. You can also use our selective sync feature to choose which folders sync and which are stored on your computer.

Whether you’re an individual, family, or team looking for storage space available on Dropbox, we’ve got the right plan to fit your needs. The storage space capacity in gigabytes for each of our plans is:

  • Dropbox Basic: 2 GB
  • Dropbox Plus: 2 TB (2,000 GB)
  • Dropbox Family: 2 TB (2,000 GB) for 6 users
  • Dropbox Professional: 3 TB (3,000 GB)
  • Dropbox Standard: 5 TB (5,000 GB) for 3+ users
  • Dropbox Advanced: Starts at 15 TB (15,000 GB) for 3+ users
  • Dropbox Enterprise: Bespoke for your business’ needs

Compare our storage plans to find the right Dropbox plan for you.

Making files and folders available online-only frees up computer space by moving them from your local hard drive while keeping everything in the cloud in your Dropbox account. Dropbox can even automatically move the files and folders you haven't accessed in a while—so you don't have to worry about managing what has and hasn't synced.

What are some of the features offered by Dropbox sync?

Sync files and folders fast and easily

Sync files

Sync your files fast across devices and platforms simply and securely

Online cloud storage

Cloud storage

Keep all your files safe with powerful online cloud storage

Transfer big files

Send large files

Send large files of any type to anybody, worry-free

Remote wipe your devices

Remote wipe

Remote wipe your device to keep your data safe