Delete Media (on disk) from Media Pool

Hi,

Hopefully this is a trivial one to do.
In media pool I can "remove media" but all that does is remove it from the Resolve media pool, it is still on the hard drive. In Lightroom I have the option of deleting from disk. Can you add an option to delete clip from disk?

The Rational is that I and I expect many others will import a batch of clips. Then start sorting them and doing the metadata. For a lot of my work (journalism, documentary etc) You end up with a lot of stop-start clips that you are not going to use. So I remove (unlink) them.

The problem is they are still on the hard drive, where I have to manually delete them using File-Explorer whilst cross-checking with Resolve that it is not one I still want to use. This is long-winded and prone to errors. So a DELETE from Disk inside the Resolve media pool would be very usefull.

I vote no. An NLE should not have any ability to delete media that it did not create.

I vote no. An NLE should not have any ability to delete media that it did not create.

Then don't use the feature.
For many it will be very useful.
Indeed it is a function of a lot of professional software.

You could set the ability in the preferences, so you don't do it by accident.

this feature exists in the media tab (and everybody hates it). a simple google search or reading the manual helps

this feature exists in the media tab (and everybody hates it). a simple google search or reading the manual helps

EDIT I replied to the wrong thread!!!!
My reply was about audio meant for the other thread! Mea Culpa!

For the record, not "everyone" hates this feature, and those who do have never cited any catastrophes attributable to their inattention. The objections seem to be more religious in nature, what an NLE "should" and "shouldn't" do.

On the media page, right click the clip, select delete permanently:

delete.JPG (22.34 KiB) Viewed 5020 times

The problem is they are still on the hard drive, where I have to manually delete them using File-Explorer whilst cross-checking with Resolve that it is not one I still want to use. This is long-winded and prone to errors. So a DELETE from Disk inside the Resolve media pool would be very usefull.

That's a good point

+1 for the FR (I think there was another one on this subject)

nteresting. If I right-click (Resolve 18.1.4 B9 on Win10) the menu give me lost of choices including "remove selected clip" but then I get

Capture.PNG (10.02 KiB) Viewed 5013 times

Which removes it from the media pool but not the hard disk.
I have tried searching the manual but no hits.

EDIT Finally Found it!!!! In media if you go to "Reveal in media Storage" it does give a "file explorer" view above the clips. (Media browser Area) Right-clicking there gives the Delete from Disk. You can't do it from the thumbnail view of the clips on the media page!.

The problem with the Resolve manual is you need to know EXACTLY what BMD call the feature and the exact language they use to find it.
Even so I can't find in the manual anything about deleting clips from disk. Only removing them from the media pool.

BTW I note that as a straw-poll 75% of those commenting want this feature.

Permanently delete is only possible on the Media page and in the media pool (not on the Edit page).

BTW I note that as a straw-poll 75% of those commenting want this feature.

At first, I wasn't for this, but then I realized that people are responsible for their own files, and many softwares lets you delete files directly from the application itself (with warnings of course).

If someone deletes a file by mistake, it doesn't matter if it's from Resolve or from the folder directly.
They should have the system trashcan big enough to be able to recover files from it, and even backups. And I don't see why it would matter if you do it form Resolve or the explorer.

It's like the "live save" feature, which is activated by default. For me, it was always a bad idea; we saw many people having their projects saved at the wrong moment. Or corrupted... When someone ctrl+s their project, at least they know w

I personally don't like features that take away people's responsibility for their files, backups and "saves".
So give us the ability to delete files from the medial poll (the system trashcan is there for a reason...)

Permanently delete is only possible on the Media page and in the media pool (not on the Edit page).

And only in one specific area of the Media page. The "Media browser Area" not in the thumbnail area of the Media page!!! Talk about non-intuitive!

John, thanks for your patience! It also confirms my view that the last, not first place to look for help is the Resolve manual.

BTW I note that as a straw-poll 75% of those commenting want this feature.

At first, I wasn't for this, but then I realized that people are responsible for their own files, and many softwares lets you delete files directly from the application itself (with warnings of course).

I can understand if it is a large project with lots of people working on it. However, these days, the majority of Resolve users are not like that. I think the majority will be single editors.

As it is, I can see it works well. You can only delete from disk in one place with a warning, and as it does not appear to be in the manual it is fairly obscure. I think most editors on large projects won't be using the media browser?

For the record, not "everyone" hates this feature, and those who do have never cited any catastrophes attributable to their inattention.

Here's one thread I saw when it got bumped up recently...

Help, permanently deleted files.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=102708

And sure, you can say "there is a warning message", but there are warning messages for deleting internal Resolve files like Timelines, Fusion Clips, Adjustment Clips, etc. which have nothing to do with deleting the original source media from your hard drive. It's reasonable to expect that people get used to these messages popping up when deleting things and not everyone will read them every single time. But even if you did read it, it could still be misunderstood as deleting files that Resolve created as opposed to the original source media.

IMO there should be an additional layer of protection, like a Resolve recycle bin that you have to manually clear in order to permanently delete the files from your drive. This way if accidentally mess up, you can still get them back without having to purchase data recovery software to try to recover the deleted files from your hard drive.

I'll also add, I do hope this continues to stay exclusively in the Media page and does not work its way into other pages.

For the record, not "everyone" hates this feature, and those who do have never cited any catastrophes attributable to their inattention. The objections seem to be more religious in nature, what an NLE "should" and "shouldn't" do.

I have noticed for Resolve and this forum in particular (and nowhere else) that there are users who will object to anything if it doesn't fit their current usage or work flow. They are not happy for any new feature they won't use, even ones that will not affect them. In another thread, I asked for an ability to select X instead of Y which is the default and only option. This would be without removing Y as the default option, so you have a choice. The same person who objected here objected to that as well. It won't affect them in the slightest, but the posted "this is a HARD no from me"

I think the problem is in the last 5 or so years, BMD have moved Resolve into a new and far larger market than it was in for the previous 15 years. The very small (comparatively) original user base seem to be panicking that "their" app is evolving to accommodate this new, far larger market.

I’m not one who says no to many feature requests. This one though - depending on how it’s implemented I can see the possibility of novice Resolve users accidentally deleting their media which - for a single operator - might be a devastating error.

Yes they should have multiple copies of their media. Yes they should be making backups. But still… I hope if this is propagated elsewhere it’s made much less likely to be accidentally used.

All other NLEs I’ve used have made it very clear that you’re working non-destructively and nothing you can do will change the underlying media. This is a case where that’s not true. It will be nice for a few but may bite people pretty badly if BMD isn’t careful to wall it off from casual use.


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I’m not one who says no to many feature requests. This one though - depending on how it’s implemented I can see the possibility of novice Resolve users accidentally deleting their media which - for a single operator - might be a devastating error.

Yes, exactly!

I hope if this is propagated elsewhere it’s made much less likely to be accidentally used.

I hope it does not propagate anywhere else. IMO it should be exclusive to the Media page, it should be in only one place, it should be very clearly marked (like colored differently to grab your attention and indicate that this section is different from the rest of Resolve), and there should also be a two-step delete process like a recycle bin so you can still recover any accidental deletions. It should be more difficult and deliberate to permanently delete media off your drive from within Resolve.

I hope it does not propagate anywhere else. IMO it should be exclusive to the Media page, it should be in only one place, it should be very clearly marked (like colored differently to grab your attention and indicate that this section is different from the rest of Resolve), and there should also be a two-step delete process like a recycle bin, so you can still recover any accidental deletions. It should be more difficult and deliberate to permanently delete media off your drive from within Resolve.

It *IS* already implemented in one place only on the Media page. And not the obvious place on the Media Page, as you can see from this thread. It also asks, "are you sure". I am happy as it does what I need.

In the thumbnail area, you only get "remove from Resolve media pool" you have got to "Reveal in Media Storage" and then in that select "Delete permanently" then you get the warning dialogue. That you haven't found it yet (and didn't know the feature was there) and I couldn't find it, then it is unlikely anyone will find it by accident and delete files.

So there is no point in discussing if this feature should or should not be added, it appears it has been there for some time already.

It *IS* already implemented in one place only on the Media page.

The comment I was responding to said, "I hope if this is propagated elsewhere..." and I was simply stating that I hope it does not propagate anywhere else. I hope it stays in the Media page.

That you haven't found it yet (and didn't know the feature was there) and I couldn't find it, then it is unlikely anyone will find it by accident and delete files.

I don't use the Media page, so you are correct that I haven't found it myself. But I did know it was possible to do this, because I saw a thread where someone accidentally deleted their source media within Resolve when it was bumped up recently. I linked to that thread in an earlier post here.

I don't use the Media page, so you are correct that I haven't found it myself. But I did know it was possible to do this, because I saw a thread where someone accidentally deleted their source media within Resolve when it was bumped up recently. I linked to that thread in an earlier post here.

I saw that thread. If they "accidentally" deleted their only copy of the media, despite the warning in the dialogue, then the delete function is not the problem. The problem is they didn't have a back-up of the media. A fundamental error.

Also, there is only one place AFAIK in the entire app where you can delete from disk. It is not in the area or the media page most people use (where you can only unlink/remove from the pool, not the disk).

I would be curious to know when the delete function was added. I will bet it has been in there almost as long as that specific window has been in the Media page. IE many years.

I saw that thread. If they "accidentally" deleted their only copy of the media, despite the warning in the dialogue, then the delete function is not the problem. The problem is they didn't have a back-up of the media. A fundamental error.

Backing up (while a good idea) is still a separate issue from how this feature should be implemented. You can't assume everyone has backups, so features like this should be implemented with extreme caution.

As I mentioned before, you get warning dialogs for deleting all kinds of internal Resolve files which have nothing to do with deleting source media off your hard drive. After a while of these warning messages, you just get used to them popping up and don't read it closely every single time. Which is why I still think having a two step delete function with a recycle bin would be a good idea. Then you could still recover files in the event of an accidental delete without needing to purchase data recovery software to try to recover the deleted files. And when you are sure you want to delete the files, delete them from the recycle bin.

Totally agree. Blame the user isn’t helpful here. Rarely is anywhere.


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I vote no. An NLE should not have any ability to delete media that it did not create.

No from me as well. They used to have this turned on around Resolve 9-14, and it caught me a couple of times and wreaked havoc. Luckily, I only deleted one clip, but I had to apologetically crawl back to the client and ask if they had a duplicate (which they did). Never again.

It *IS* already implemented in one place only on the Media page. And not the obvious place on the Media Page, as you can see from this thread. It also asks, "are you sure". I am happy as it does what I need. \In the thumbnail area, you only get "remove from Resolve media pool" you have got to "Reveal in Media Storage" and then in that select "Delete permanently" then you get the warning dialogue. That you haven't found it yet (and didn't know the feature was there) and I couldn't find it, then it is unlikely anyone will find it by accident and delete files.

I just tried it, and at least on Resolve 18.1.4 in Mac OS, this is not what happens. It sends you out to the operating system and shows you where the file is, and if you delete the clip there, it's just sending it to the trash from the Finder. Resolve is not deleting the file -- the OS is in charge. (The word "permanently" only appears a few times in the current manual, and none of them are associated with file deletion.)

To me, this is what Media Management is for. This will help you save space -- which I think is the whole point -- and just keep the files actually used in the project and nothing else.

(The word "permanently" only appears a few times in the current manual, and none of them are associated with file deletion.).

That is what I discovered.... This is why the Resolve manual is where I look after I have exhausted all other options.


They way I work is I have the memory cards and a back-up of the clips. When I sort through the clips in Resolve there are often clips of a few seconds duration of a false start, or where there are 5 takes of an interview and one or two nose dive for what ever reason 15 seconds in. So playing these in Resolve (having set all the clips from "stereo" to "2 mono tracks" EVERY TIME see other thread on audio) I can then decide which clips can be deleted. It is easier to do this if still in Resolve that having to go to the OS file management. For me this is what file management is. All the other video NLE's and Photo catalogue SW I have works like this.

When the project is done, then I back up the clips to the back-up drive(s) and clean the memory cards and the initial back up.

I think Marc accidentally used "Reveal in Finder" instead of "Reveal in Media Storage". "Delete Permanently" is there in the macOS version as well.

If anyone on Windows is wondering what "Reveal in Finder" does, it's called "Open File Location" in the Windows version of Resolve.

Yes. This is a good case for changing the “reveal in storage” command to “reveal in media page” or some such.


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If this option would be buried VERY VERY VERY DEEP in the preferences and decorated with fifteen warning signs, then I'd be ok with it since I can see it for the described use case.

Generally, being able to permanently delete files from within an NLE is a big, fat no-no for me.

I was shocked to learn that it's possible in Resolve in the aforementioned thread.

Help, permanently deleted files.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=102708

If this option would be buried VERY VERY VERY DEEP in the preferences and decorated with fifteen warning signs, then I'd be ok with it since I can see it for the described use case.

Generally, being able to permanently delete files from within an NLE is a big, fat no-no for me.

I was shocked to learn that it's possible in Resolve in the aforementioned thread.

Help, permanently deleted files.
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=102708

The fact that it seems to have been there for some time without you noticing means it does not affect you, but for those of us who want it, it is there. So it is a win-win. Everyone is happy.

I use Resolve once or twice a year maybe. Even Marc has a lose-lose story and he's an expert user. Plus we don't know the amount of people who lost footage that don't come here to open an account and report it.

I use Resolve once or twice a year maybe. Even Marc has a lose-lose story and he's an expert user. Plus we don't know the amount of people who lost footage that don't come here to open an account and report it.

With that sort of argument, we should be banning 90% of the features of Resolve. The fact it has been there for some years and only messages on this forum (or anywhere else) are from people looking for the feature, not complaining that their own poor work flow has caused them a problem, suggests it is not a problem.

Not my fight - but someone posted right before you with a thread where someone was bemoaning losing their files to this feature.

Actually you replied to that very post.

I think Marc accidentally used "Reveal in Finder" instead of "Reveal in Media Storage". "Delete Permanently" is there in the macOS version as well.

You know, that's a feature I've never used. Let me check.

<minutes pass>

You are absolutely right: "Reveal in Media Storage" is not something I ever noticed before. You can do exactly what the o.p. has asked for:



Very, very dangerous feature. But I often say, "the power of Resolve is that it'll let you do just about anything you tell it to do... even if the results are calamitous. Permanently deleting entire video tracks and timelines is a good example, and there's no Undo in removing Gallery Grades or Gallery Folders, either.

It's been like 8 years since I permanetly deleted one camera clip from a client's feature, and it still makes me break out into a cold sweat. Normally, I'm dealing with backup copies, but this was a case where we were still in the middle of the conform, and so I was exhausted and hit the DELETE button without thinking. Luckily, the client still had the camera cards & drives, so we were able to plug in that missing shot. But what if they had already wiped all the storage and he had no backup? We have a "we're not responsible for losing any files" clause in our client contract now, but we didn't 8 years ago.

A little late to the party, but my two cents on this:

A basic part of managing footage in a project is deleting it. Storage isn't an endless resource and apart from some professional end users, many cannot afford to go out and buy terabytes of additional storage.

My projects consist of 1000s of small clips of video that I have to scrub through, mark up, categorize and then use in edits. This is exactly what the media management in Resolve allows me to do very efficiently. YET, when it comes to using the careful and deliberate order and categorization I have created, I cannot delete the 100s of GB of useless clips that accumulate over time, because Resolve won't let me filter the media by the categorizations or markings that I have created.

There is only
- the media storage view, where I sorted and categorized my media, but cannot delete it, and
- the file storage view, where I could delete it but it is arranged randomly and impossible to tell apart

What I would have to do instead is manually cross-reference file names only consisting of strings of numbers between the media storage and file storage view to select only the unmarked clips and then delete them. This is FAR more error prone and would take hours and hours to achieve. How some people believe this is the safe way to manage their footage is beyond me...

All of the timelines and fusion comps you put many hours of work into can be deleted in seconds and are only safe if the end user manages their project mindfully AND uses backups. The same should apply to footage: if it is THAT crucial to you, work mindfully and back it up. Heck, if it is THAT crucial you're probably one of the few that have the resources to buy additional storage.

There could be numerous safeguards around deleting footage from the media pool that have already been suggested: recycle bins, red colored menu options to stand out, additional prompts where you can review the footage again before deletion and see the impact on all timelines, deeply buried menu options to enable deletion in the first place, maybe even a toggle that enables deletion only for ONE session or a limited time in minutes so you can't possibly misclick your way to losing footage.

But the reasoning many here use of having lost that one piece of footage in the past should not be an argument against the most basic of features for media management that would collectively save dozens of working days and petabytes of storage.

There are ways to implement this safely, so let's talk about the "how" instead of fearmongering around the "why".

"Reveal in Media Storage" is not something I ever noticed before. You can do exactly what the o.p. has asked for:

the problem with this approach is u can only delete 1 clip at a time.
i would like to mark some clips (eg with a flag) and then move to trash (aka delete) all of them.

"Reveal in Media Storage" is not something I ever noticed before. You can do exactly what the o.p. has asked for:

the problem with this approach is u can only delete 1 clip at a time.
i would like to mark some clips (eg with a flag) and then move to trash (aka delete) all of them.

Given it is a permanent delete [from disk], that is probably a good idea that it only does one at a time.
(and I Was the one asking for the feature!)

it's not. "delete" is move to "recycle bin" and therefore is not permanent. so it's not good that the feature doesn't exist

The current feature does NOT move to the recycle bin.

The current feature does NOT move to the recycle bin.

I think that happens when the code issues a delete command in Terminal mode. My memory is that Apple didn't provide the ability to move a file to the Trashcan per se.

it's not. "delete" is move to "recycle bin" and therefore is not permanent. so it's not good that the feature doesn't exist

It does not move to recycle bin on my Win11 installation
and I note that

The current feature does NOT move to the recycle bin.

and Joe is on a Mac.