Your scratch disk in Photoshop is that small storage space on your device where the software saves cache and temporary files. Its function is to allow faster access to files or operations you execute frequently while working with designs. Sometimes, this space gets full and if not cleared, your editing with Photoshop becomes a lot harder as your workflow will significantly slow down, bringing more weight to your PC.
If you’ve been using Photoshop for a while, without Administrator apps like Avast that suggest when the cache should be cleaned, then chances are you’ve encountered this problem – in this article, we will teach you how to fix it.
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How to Empty Scratch Disk in Photoshop: Eliminate Scratch Disk Error
There are several methods to solve scratch disk errors. While we’ll be covering all in subsequent writing, it’s important to first understand that the goal is essentially to provide enough disk space on your hard drive/SSD for Photoshop to run smoothly.
Method #1 Purge/Clear Cache & Temporary Files
- Launch Photoshop, and click on “Edit” on the top toolbar
- Navigate through the dropdown menu to “Purge”, and select “All.”
This is the fastest method to free up space for your next work, however, if you’re looking for a more sustainable fix you may want to try out methods 2 & 3
Method #2 Remove the Temporary Files Created by Photoshop
- Navigate to your PC Temp Folder either through This PC > Local Disk > User > {Your PC Name} > AppData > Local > Temp, or Typing “%Temp” on your PC’s Start Menu search bar.
- Once found, look for a particular file that starts with the name “Photoshop Temp” or “PST”, and delete it.
This will remove all records of your previous edits (won’t delete the file), such that it’s almost as if you reinstalled Photoshop. Although it’s quite effective especially if you’ve been using photoshop for years without clearing the scratch disk, it’s still recommended that you consider method 3 for a more lasting and easier solution.
Method #3 Create More Space for Scratch Disk
In this method, you want to increase the scratch disk allocation so that your software stops lagging while you’re working.
- Launch Photoshop, and navigate through Edit > Preferences > Scratch disks. In the case of earlier versions of Photoshop, check Performance for the Scratch disk option.
- While in, you can choose to increase the RAM permitted to be used by Photoshop, and also, the scratch disk allocation by ticking another drive if available.
If you find your Photoshop software slowing down even though you’ve got enough RAM and storage space, this is the method you want to consider before anything else.
