Delete files permanently from cloud storage

Out of storage space? Learn about our 30-day retention period for deleted files and how to remove unused files and assets to free up your cloud storage space. 

Why should I delete files permanently from cloud storage?

When you reach the  maximum number of files or folders  that can be stored in your Creative Cloud account,  you may get an error preventing you from adding new items in your cloud storage. To fix this issue, permanently delete any files and folders you don't need and free up your storage space.

30-day retention period for deleted files

We are changing how we process deleted files and folders to improve your Creative Cloud storage quota. Beginning June 4, 2023, we will start rolling out a new removal process for files in your Creative Cloud Deleted folder. Once implemented, deleted files will be permanently deleted after 30 days. Any files older than 30 days already there in your Deleted folder will also be permanently deleted.

Note that files in the Deleted files will continue to consume space till they’re permanently deleted. Read on to find out more about how to immediately remove files from the Deleted folder if you're out of storage space. You can also recover deleted files at any time before they’re permanently deleted. 

Note:

When you permanently delete files from the Deleted folder, you cannot restore them.

Delete files permanently from Creative Cloud

  1. Sign in to the Creative Cloud website

  2. Go to the Files tab in the left sidebar and then select Deleted.

    How to archive files
    Navigate to the "Files" tab located in the left sidebar of the interface and select the "Deleted" option.

  3. Select the files or folders that you want to permanently remove from the cloud, and then select Delete Permanently.

    Note:

    Press Shift + Right Arrow key (→) to select multiple files or folders to delete.

    Delete Permanently
    Choose specific files or folders you wish to permanently delete.

  4. Once you get the confirmation message, select Delete Permanently.

    Select permanently delete
    The dialogue box shows the confirmation message for permanently deleting files.

    Note:

    Make sure that you only close the browser window once all your selected files are deleted.

Caution:

To free up your space quota by removing synced presets in Adobe Photoshop, disable Preset Syncing. You'll be presented with a confirmation message asking whether to keep your currently synced presets or to delete them from your account. Select No to remove any Photoshop presets that are currently synced from the Creative Cloud. To learn more, see Sync Photoshop Presets

Restore deleted files from Creative Cloud

  1. Sign in to the Creative Cloud website

  2. Go to the Files tab in the left sidebar and then select Deleted.

    How to archive files
    Select the "Deleted." option within the interface to view where deleted files are displayed for potential recovery.

  3. Select the files or folders you want to restore from the Deleted folder, then select Restore.

    Note:

    Press Shift + Right Arrow key (→) to select multiple files or folders to restore.

    Restore files fro Creative Cloud storage.
    Right-click view on the image showing the Restore option.

Delete photos permanently from Lightroom storage 

  1. Sign in to Lightroom on the web.

  2. Select   Deleted in the left sidebar.

    LR deleted
    Left sidebar view of Lightroom interface showing the Deleted folder.

  3. Select the files you want to delete permanently from the cloud, and then select  .

    Select files to permanently delete

  4. Once you get the confirmation message, select Delete.

Delete files permanently from Document Cloud

  1. Sign in to the Acrobat Web.

  2. Select files you want to delete and choose  Delete from the set of displayed options in the right.

    Delete document
    Right-click view of the selected file showing the Delete option.

  3. In the confirmation pop-up window, select Delete.

Delete files permanently from Adobe Express 

  1. Sign in to Adobe Express.

  2. Hover over the file you want to delete, select the   icon, and then select   Delete from the displayed options.

    Adobe Express delete file
    Scroll down and select Delete option to delete the file

  3. Once you get the confirmation message, select Delete.

    Note:
    • When webpages are published using Adobe Express, a snapshot of the webpage is created and stored in your account, consuming additional quota. To free up this space, you can unpublish or delete the original webpage file. For detailed instructions on how to unpublish a webpage, see here.
    • Files shared for review are duplicated upon sharing, which increases quota usage. You can manage and delete these review files as needed through your account. To access your review files, see here.

Get help faster and easier

New user?