Need to unlink a computer from your Dropbox account? Maybe you're selling your old device, sharing a computer with someone else, or just doing some account maintenance. Whatever your reason, removing devices from your Dropbox account is a straightforward process that helps maintain your account security. In this guide, I'll walk you through exactly how to unlink a computer from the Dropbox website, step by step.

Why You Might Need to Unlink a Computer from Dropbox

Before diving into the steps, let's quickly look at some common reasons why you might want to unlink a device:

• You're selling or giving away your computer
• You no longer use a particular device
• You're reaching your linked device limit
• You notice suspicious devices connected to your account
• You want to manage your account security

Regardless of your reason, the process is the same and only takes a few minutes to complete.

What Happens When You Unlink a Computer

When you unlink a computer from Dropbox, a few things happen:

• The Dropbox app on that computer will be signed out
• The computer will no longer sync with your Dropbox account
• Your files will remain on the Dropbox servers
• Local copies of your Dropbox files will remain on the computer unless you delete them

It's important to note that unlinking a computer doesn't automatically delete the files from that device. If you're selling or giving away your computer, you'll want to take additional steps to remove your files.

Step-by-Step Guide to Unlink a Computer from Dropbox Website

Method 1: Using the Dropbox Settings Page

This is the most common and straightforward method to unlink your computer from Dropbox.

1. Sign in to your Dropbox account - Open your web browser and go to dropbox.com. Enter your email and password to log in.
2. Access your account settings - Click on your profile picture or initials in the top-right corner of the screen. This opens a dropdown menu.
3. Go to Settings - From the dropdown menu, click on "Settings."
4. Navigate to the Security tab - In the Settings page, look for the "Security" tab in the left sidebar and click on it.
Find the Devices section - Scroll down until you see the "Devices" section. This shows all computers, phones, and tablets currently linked to your Dropbox account.
Identify the computer to unlink - Look through the list of devices to find the specific computer you want to unlink. Each device will show information like the device name, type, and last activity date.
5. Unlink the computer - Click on the "X" or "Unlink" button next to the computer you want to remove. Dropbox might ask you to confirm this action.
6. Confirm your decision - A popup will appear asking if you're sure you want to unlink the device. Click "Unlink" or "Confirm" to proceed.

That's it! The computer will be immediately unlinked from your Dropbox account.

Method 2: Using the Dropbox Security Page

There's an alternative path that takes you directly to your connected devices:

1. Sign in to Dropbox - Go to dropbox.com and log in with your credentials.
2. Go directly to the Security page - After logging in, go to dropbox.com/account/security.
3. Find the Devices section - Scroll down to the "Devices" section.
4. Unlink the desired computer - Find the computer you want to unlink, click the "X" or "Unlink" button next to it, and confirm your choice.

Method 3: Unlinking from Multiple Devices at Once

If you need to unlink several computers or devices, Dropbox provides a way to do this efficiently:

1. Go to the Security page - Follow the steps above to reach the Security section.
2. Select multiple devices - Instead of clicking the "X" next to each device, use the checkboxes to select multiple devices.
3. Unlink selected devices - After selecting all the computers you want to unlink, click the "Unlink selected devices" button that appears.
4. Confirm your action - Confirm that you want to unlink all the selected devices.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Unlinking a Computer

Sometimes you might encounter problems when trying to unlink a computer from Dropbox. Here are solutions to common issues:

Device Still Shows as Connected

If you've unlinked a computer but it still appears in your devices list:

• Try refreshing the page
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Wait a few minutes as changes might take time to update
• Try using a different web browser

Can't See All Connected Devices

If you suspect there are more devices connected than what you see:

• Make sure you're logged into the correct Dropbox account
• Check if you have multiple Dropbox accounts and are looking at the wrong one
• Contact Dropbox support if you suspect unauthorized access

Unable to Unlink Due to Technical Issues

If you click the unlink button but nothing happens:

• Check your internet connection
• Try a different web browser
• Disable browser extensions that might interfere
• Try again later as there might be temporary issues with Dropbox servers

What to Do After Unlinking a Computer

If You're Keeping the Computer

If you've unlinked a computer but are keeping it, you might want to:

1. Delete the local Dropbox folder - If you no longer need local copies of your Dropbox files, you can delete the Dropbox folder from your computer.
2. Uninstall the Dropbox application - If you won't be using Dropbox on this computer anymore, uninstall the app to free up space.
3. Re-link if needed - If you unlinked by mistake, you can always re-link the computer by signing into the Dropbox app again.

If You're Selling or Giving Away the Computer

Managing Your Dropbox Devices Effectively

Regular Security Audits

It's a good practice to regularly review the devices connected to your Dropbox account:

• Set a reminder to check your linked devices every few months
• Unlink any devices you no longer use or recognize
• Check the "Last activity" dates to identify inactive devices

Understanding Device Limits

Depending on your Dropbox plan, you might have limits on how many devices you can link:

Dropbox Plan	Device Limit
Basic (Free)	3 devices
Plus	3 devices
Professional	Unlimited devices
Business	Unlimited devices

If you're approaching your limit, unlinking unused computers can help you stay under it.

Additional Security Measures for Dropbox

While managing your linked devices, consider implementing these additional security measures:

• Enable two-factor authentication - This adds an extra layer of security to your account
• Create a strong, unique password - Don't reuse passwords from other sites
• Check login activity - Regularly review recent login activity for suspicious behavior
• Set up email notifications - Get alerted when new devices connect to your account

Differences Between Unlinking on the Website vs. Desktop App

You can unlink devices both from the Dropbox website and from the desktop application itself. Here's how they compare:

Feature	Website Method	Desktop App Method
Can unlink current device	Yes	Yes (signs you out)
Can unlink other devices	Yes	No
Can unlink multiple devices at once	Yes	No
Need internet connection	Yes	Yes

The website method (which we've covered in detail) gives you more control and visibility over all your linked devices.

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Unlinking vs. Signing Out: What's the Difference?

It's important to understand the difference between unlinking a computer and simply signing out:

• Signing out - This logs you out of the Dropbox app or website on that device, but the device remains linked to your account. You can sign back in without needing to set up Dropbox again.
• Unlinking - This removes the device from your account entirely. The Dropbox app on that computer will need to be set up again if you want to use it in the future.

If you're just stepping away from your computer temporarily, signing out is sufficient. If you're selling the computer or want to remove it from your account completely, unlinking is necessary.

How Unlinking Affects Your Files

On the Unlinked Computer

When you unlink a computer:

• The Dropbox app stops syncing
• Your files remain in the local Dropbox folder unless you delete them manually
• The Dropbox desktop app will show as signed out

On Your Dropbox Account

Unlinking a computer doesn't affect your files on Dropbox's servers:

• All your files remain safely stored in your Dropbox account
• You can still access them from other devices or the web
• Any changes made to files after unlinking won't sync to that computer

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unlinking my computer delete my Dropbox files?

No, unlinking a computer from Dropbox doesn't delete your files from Dropbox's servers. Your files remain safely stored in your account and accessible from other devices. However, the unlinked computer will stop syncing with your account, meaning any future changes you make to your Dropbox files won't appear on that computer.

Can I unlink a computer remotely if I no longer have access to it?

Yes, you can unlink any computer remotely through the Dropbox website even if you don't have physical access to the device anymore. Just log in to dropbox.com, go to Settings > Security, find the device in the list, and click the unlink button. This is especially useful if you've lost a device or forgot to unlink before selling it.

How many computers can I link to my Dropbox account?

The number of devices you can link depends on your Dropbox plan. Free Basic and Plus accounts allow linking up to 3 devices. Professional and Business plans allow unlimited devices. If you reach your limit, you'll need to unlink existing devices before you can add new ones.

If I unlink a computer, will I need to download all my files again if I re-link it later?

It depends. If you didn't delete the local Dropbox folder after unlinking, your files will still be on the computer. When you re-link, Dropbox will scan this folder and only download files that have changed or are new. If you deleted the local folder, Dropbox will need to download all your files again when you re-link the computer.

Can someone access my Dropbox files after I've unlinked their computer?

After unlinking a computer, that device will no longer sync with your Dropbox account. However, any files that were already downloaded to that computer will remain there unless manually deleted. The person using that computer won't receive any new files or changes you make to your Dropbox, but they could still access previously downloaded files. If you shared the computer with someone else, it's best to ensure all Dropbox files are deleted from that device.

Conclusion

Unlinking a computer from your Dropbox account is a simple but important part of managing your cloud storage security. Whether you're selling an old device, hitting device limits, or just doing some account maintenance, the process takes just a few minutes through the Dropbox website.

Remember that unlinking only removes the connection between your account and that device—it doesn't delete your files from Dropbox or automatically remove local copies from the computer. If you're parting with the device, take additional steps to remove your data completely.

By regularly reviewing and managing your linked devices, you can maintain better control over who has access to your Dropbox files and ensure your account remains secure.