Photoshop crashing due to a full scratch disk? Don't panic! This article reveals the fastest and easiest ways to clear your Photoshop scratch disk, preventing frustrating interruptions. We'll cover simple solutions like deleting temporary files and more advanced techniques for optimizing your storage. Get back to editing smoothly – learn how to reclaim valuable disk space and keep Photoshop running flawlessly.
Methods: Using CleanMyMac X to Clear Purgeable Space
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Open CleanMyMac X and Free Up Purgeable Space
- Open CleanMyMac X.
- Go to Maintenance.
- Select 'Free up purgeable space' and run.
Open CleanMyMac X and Free Up Purgeable Space
Methods: Manually Deleting Temporary Files and Clearing Photoshop Cache
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Locate and Delete Photoshop Temporary Files
- Use Spotlight search (or Finder) to search for temporary files. Use file extension 'tmp' and include 'psd' in the search to target Photoshop temporary files.
- Select all temporary files and move them to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash.
Locate and Delete Photoshop Temporary Files -
Clear Photoshop Cache
- Open Photoshop, go to Edit > Purge > All.
Clear Photoshop Cache
Methods: Changing Scratch Disk Location
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare External Drive
- Connect an external drive.
Prepare External Drive -
Change Scratch Disk Location
- Open Photoshop, go to Preferences > Scratch Disk.
- Select the external drive as the new scratch disk location.
Change Scratch Disk Location -
Restart Photoshop
- Quit and restart Photoshop.
Restart Photoshop
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Ignoring Low Scratch Disk Space Warnings
Reason: Photoshop constantly monitors scratch disk space. Ignoring low space warnings can lead to unexpected crashes and data loss as Photoshop struggles to save temporary files.
Solution: Increase your scratch disk space by selecting a larger drive or partition, or delete unnecessary files on your current scratch disk.
2. Choosing an Incorrect or Slow Scratch Disk
Reason: Selecting a slow hard drive (like a traditional HDD) as the scratch disk significantly slows down Photoshop's performance, even if there's plenty of free space. Using a nearly-full drive can also cause problems.
Solution: Choose a fast SSD with ample free space as your primary scratch disk.