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bartonlew
bartonlew
Legend
October 6, 2021
Answered

Scratch Disk is Full and can't save document

  • October 6, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 609 views

I am working on a very large PSB and when I tried to save and exit I got a message that the Scratch Disk is full and the document can't be saved.  Usually I think to save the document periodically as I'm working to avoid a significant loss of editing but didn't this time.  The Scratch Disk is on my local (C) drive and the document is on an external hard drive.  Is there any way to save the document and keep these changes, or do I have to quit Photoshop without being able to save them?

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Correct answer Ged_Traynor

Hi

How much free space do you have for the scratch disk, you'll need to free up space on the C drive, when working on large files you should have a minimum of 200GB and more available for the scratch disk

3 replies

bartonlew
bartonlewAuthor
Legend
October 6, 2021

Thanks.  I'm not home right now so I can't check but as I recall the graphic (circle showing percent full) was almost closed, with just a sliver free.  So it's pretty full.  Sounds like I can temporarily remove files from the drive and this will free up space so my document can be saved, then move them back.  What a relief.  

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 6, 2021

    You can try to clear out as much space as you possibly can on the C drive, but I doubt very much that Photoshop will recognize it without closing and relaunching.

     

    Other than that, no. Take this as a lesson learned. People always underestimate how much space is actually needed for the scratch disk. For working with big files, 500 GB is a realistic minimum.

    bartonlew
    bartonlewAuthor
    Legend
    October 6, 2021

    Oh, that's not good news.  Okay, we'll see tonight when I get home.  Thanks.  

    Ged_Traynor
    Community Expert
    Ged_TraynorCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    October 6, 2021

    Hi

    How much free space do you have for the scratch disk, you'll need to free up space on the C drive, when working on large files you should have a minimum of 200GB and more available for the scratch disk

    bartonlew
    bartonlewAuthor
    Legend
    October 7, 2021

    Great news!  I temporarily moved 100 GB off my hard drive and then was able to save and exit from my document.  3 hours of edits saved.  Thank you, Photoshop!

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