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kjsedgie
Participant
April 29, 2020
Question

Adobe Illustrator keeps saving multiple files of a file I keep resaving?

  • April 29, 2020
  • 6 replies
  • 10976 views

Every time I have saved a file on ai after I make changes to a file, lately it creates multiple new files rather than just resaving the original file under the same name. For instance, if my file was named "JoeShmo_NewPckgDesign.ai" and I saved it 3 different times throughout the day, it will not override this same file and save it with the new changes under this name. Instead, three completely new files called "JoeShmo_NewPckgDesign 1.ai," "JoeShmo_NewPckgDesign 2.ai," and "JoeShmo_NewPckgDesign 3.ai" show up on my desktop....? Therefore the file with the highest number becomes the latest edition, rather than the actual one I am working on in ai. This is making me unsure which files I should be deleting. How do I stop this from happening? I am running out of storage on my computer and this new feature is NOT helping....

    6 replies

    J
    jimp87522270
    Inspiring
    March 21, 2025

    I am having what sounds like a very similar problem. I just updated my Cloud because of ONE SMALL ISSUE when I updated my system - Photoshop was bombing on the first open file every time and I had to restart the program. This led to me update my CC to all new programs. Now I'm using Illustrator and when I open ONE file - it gives me TWO copies designated .ai:1 and .ai:2 to work on. Why on earth would it do that? Who knows but like every Adobe "upgrade" it creates more problems than it solves (if it was actually intended to solve a problem). Now I'm never sure if the file I WANTED to save is actually saved and what do I do with the second one? Do I have to save that one too to keep the changes in file .ai:1 - or is it okay to close it as is? This is the kind of UTTER NONSENSE that happens with Adobe products all the time. I get the feeling there is a room somewhere at Adobe Central where they have a bunch of people sitting around trying to figure out how they can make our already hard jobs even harder. If anyone knows what is happening here (see photo) I'd sure be glad to hear it. Thanks.

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Ton FrederiksCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 21, 2025

    I cannot open your screenshot, but from what you describe, I guess you have created a New Window for your file (Window menu > New Window). If so, you can get rid of it by closing it, making a little change in your file and saving your file.

    J
    jimp87522270
    Inspiring
    March 22, 2025

    No, I did not create a new window (in fact I've never used that "feature" for anything). In the meantime, I tried some of the cures in the rest of the thread and might have solved the problem - go to general preferences and hit "reset preferences". So far the problem seeems to be solved. Attached (new_screenshot.jpg) is a new image of problem I was having in case other people run across it. 

    L
    liselemon
    Participating Frequently
    March 8, 2021

    Thanks Monika, I've given it a go. Only time will tell. It doesn't appear to do it to every document but will report back either way.

    D
    defaultnh1mprc8kn47
    Participant
    March 8, 2021

    I'm having the same issue, it gets very confusing and consumes a lot of memory, has anyone found a solution?

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 8, 2021

    Other than resetting the preferences, checking user privileges on your system, checking your antivirus and contacting Customer Care?

     

    L
    liselemon
    Participating Frequently
    March 4, 2021

    Hi there, I am having the same problem. I did as you recommended but it still appears to be saving multiples as opposed to rewriting the auto save. Are there any other solutions?

    I am using AI 2021 MacOS Catalin 10.15.7

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 4, 2021

    How are user privileges for the folder set up?

    Also: check your antivirus and whatever settings there are in paranoid Mac OS

    L
    liselemon
    Participating Frequently
    March 4, 2021

    Thakns for your reply, I don't quite understand what you mean I'm sorry. User privileges for the folder set up?

    N
    Nilzilla
    Participant
    August 5, 2020

    It does the same thing to me. If I have a storyboard I designed thats 250mb and I make revisions 3 times and save... I have multiple files that adds up to 750mb on both my computer and cloud.

     

      Monika Gause
      Community Expert
      Monika GauseCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 5, 2020

      Can you please answer the questions I posted above?

      N
      Nilzilla
      Participant
      August 6, 2020

      Im running the latest system on a brand new macbook. It didnt matter where I saved it because it did it regardless. Turns out, after I did an update on adobe, it changed something on my preferences. So what has to happen is you need to quit and restart AI, go to preferences / general then click reset preferences in the bottom right. That should solve the problem.... 15 gigs later...

        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        April 30, 2020

        Which version and system is it?

        Exactly where do you save your files?

        Do you have any autosave extensions running?

         

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