How to Clear Scratch Disk in Photoshop

Experiencing slow performance or error messages in Photoshop? The culprit might be a full scratch disk. This article guides you through the process to clear scratch disk, enhancing your Photoshop experience by speeding up operations and preventing crashes.

Step 1. Understand What a Scratch Disk Is

A scratch disk is a designated drive or partition in your computer where Photoshop stores data when your system runs out of RAM. It’s essentially a temporary storage space that Photoshop uses to run smoothly, especially when handling large files.

Step 2. Check Your Current Scratch Disk

To review your current scratch disk settings, open Photoshop and go to Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks (Adobe Photoshop (Top left corner)> Settings > Preferencies on MAC). Here, you’ll see a list of active and available drives that Photoshop can use as scratch disks.

Step 3. Free Up Space on Your Current Scratch Disk

If your scratch disk is full, Photoshop may slow down or stop working. To avoid this, clear up some space.

Step 3.1 Delete Unnecessary Files

Go through the drive designated as your scratch disk and delete any unneeded files. This may include old documents, downloads, or software you no longer use.

Step 3.2 Empty the Trash or Recycle Bin

Don’t forget to empty your Trash (macOS) or Recycle Bin (Windows) to permanently delete files and free up space.

Step 4. Clear Photoshop’s Cache

Photoshop caches are temporary files that help the software run faster. However, they can take up a lot of space over time.

Step 4.1 Use the Purge Command

To clear Photoshop’s cache, go to Edit > Purge > All. This will delete all history and clipboard copies.

Step 4.2 Delete Temporary Files

Photoshop sometimes leaves behind temporary files. These can typically be found in your system’s temp folder and can be safely deleted.

Windows:

C:UsersYour UsernameAppDataLocalTemp 

Mac:

1. Open “Terminal”
2. Write this: “open /tmp”
3. Delete “Photoshop Temporary”

Step 5. Increase the Scratch Disk Capacity

If you’re frequently running out of scratch disk space, consider increasing its capacity by adding a bigger ssd.

Step 5.1 Allocate More RAM to Photoshop

You can allow Photoshop to use more of your system’s RAM by going to Edit > Preferences > Performance. Increase the Memory Usage percentage to give Photoshop more RAM to work with.

Step 5.2 Add a Secondary Scratch Disk

You can assign an additional scratch disk by going to Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks. Choose another drive from the list to act as a secondary scratch disk.

Step 6. Change the Scratch Disk Location

If you have multiple drives, you can change the scratch disk to a less busy drive. Go to Edit > Preferences > Scratch Disks, deselect the current drive, and select a new one.

Step 7. Restart Photoshop

After making these changes, close and restart Photoshop to apply them.

Step 8. Seek Professional Help If Problem Persists

If you’re still experiencing issues after trying these steps, it may be time to consult a professional. Contact Adobe support or a local tech expert for further assistance.