How Do I Empty My Scratch Disk Without Opening Photoshop?

September 8, 2023 photoshop

Are you struggling with a full scratch disk on Photoshop? Don't worry, I've got you covered! In this article, I will guide you through the process of emptying your scratch disk without even opening Photoshop. So let's jump right in!

What is a Scratch Disk?

Before we get into the steps, let's quickly understand what a scratch disk is. In Photoshop, a scratch disk is used as virtual memory when your computer's RAM (Random Access Memory) gets full. It acts as temporary storage for data that doesn't fit in the RAM.

If your scratch disk becomes full, it can slow down Photoshop's performance and even cause it to crash. Therefore, it's important to regularly empty your scratch disk to keep your workflow smooth and efficient.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Locate the Scratch Disk

The first step is to find out where your scratch disk is located on your computer. Follow these steps:

Windows:

Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E.
Navigate to the drive where Photoshop is installed (usually the C: drive).
Look for a folder named "Users" or "Documents and Settings" (depending on your Windows version) and open it.
Open the folder with your username.
You should find a folder named "AppData" (it might be hidden, so make sure hidden files are visible).
Navigate to "Roaming" > "Adobe" > "Adobe Photoshop [version]" > "Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings".
Here, you will find a file with the extension ".psp" (e.g., "Photoshop Scratch Disk.psp"). This is your scratch disk file.

Mac:

Open Finder.
Press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" window.
Type "~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings/" and click "Go".
In this folder, you will find the scratch disk file with the extension ".psp".

Step 2: Delete the Scratch Disk File

Now that you have located the scratch disk file, it's time to delete it. Follow these steps:

Delete the Scratch Disk File:

Select the scratch disk file (e.
Right-click on it and select "Delete".
Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Tips:

You can also press Shift + Delete to permanently delete the file without sending it to the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac).

Step 4: Empty Recycle Bin or Trash

To completely free up space on your scratch disk, don't forget to empty your Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (Mac). Here's how:

On Windows:

Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop.
Select "Empty Recycle Bin".
Confirm the action if prompted.

On Mac:

Click on the Trash icon in your dock to open it.
In the Finder menu, click on "Empty Trash".

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully emptied your scratch disk without even opening Photoshop. Regularly performing this task will help keep your scratch disk clean and optimize Photoshop's performance. Remember to repeat these steps whenever your scratch disk starts to fill up again.

Note: It's essential to close Photoshop before deleting the scratch disk file to avoid any potential issues.

I hope this tutorial has been helpful to you. Happy editing!