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LauraMacky
LauraMacky
Inspiring
October 31, 2025
Answered

Photoshop Beta requires 100GB scratch disk?

  • October 31, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 369 views

I opened PS Beta after updating it and noticed my current computer which is a 2023 Macbook Pro with 64GB memory is not enough for PS Beta?  This is worrisome.  I can't buy a new computer every two years.  Will I have problems?

Correct answer CShubert

Hi @LauraMacky this is a new messaage that was added to Ps Beta on Monday's release.  Here is the post that you can reference as well as links to learn more about scratch disks and how to manage them:

 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-beta-discussions/scratch-disk-monitoring/td-p/15560576

 

Thanks,

Cory - Photoshop Product Manager

2 replies

CShubert
Community Manager
CShubertCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
November 5, 2025

Hi @LauraMacky this is a new messaage that was added to Ps Beta on Monday's release.  Here is the post that you can reference as well as links to learn more about scratch disks and how to manage them:

 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-beta-discussions/scratch-disk-monitoring/td-p/15560576

 

Thanks,

Cory - Photoshop Product Manager

davescm
Community Expert
davescmCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 31, 2025

Don't get confused between scratch disk space which temporary storage on disk, and random access memory (RAM) space which is computer working memory. The 64GB memory figure on your MacBook Pro refers to RAM. I have 512GB RAM here (bought for 3D simulation not for Photoshop) and Photoshop will still always create a scratch file and use that scratch space for swapping working memory and temporary memory (even when my RAM space is not used up). It is not unusual for me to see the scratch disk file using 200-500GB when compositing large multi-layered files.

So to your question, 64GB RAM should be enough RAM, the scratch disk space on disk is separate to that and I would normally recommend a fast NVMe or SSD drive with 100-500GB free space depending on the files you work on.

Dave

    LauraMacky
    LauraMackyAuthor
    Inspiring
    October 31, 2025

    For those of us who are dense when it comes to all the hardware and space issues, I am not sure how to get more scratch disk space then.  I googled it of course but it is so confusing to me.   I'm 66 and kind of tryin to keep up with all this stuff!

    Laura Macky
    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 31, 2025

    Space for scratch disk is simply space on a storage drive. In Photoshop, if you go to Preferences > Scratch disks it should report which disk(s) you are using to store the scratch disk file(s) and the amount of free space on that disk. If you are short of space the first step is to clear out any temporary files that have been stored on the drive, by applications, both Adobe and other.
    Unfortunately, I am a Windows PC user, not a Mac user, so I cannot advise you where exactly to look on disk or which tools might be useful in doing so, but I'm sure a Mac user will be along here soon to help.

    Dave

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