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Guide

How to delete Final Cut Pro render files

Final Cut Pro keeps render files, optimized media and proxies inside each library. Deleting them can free tens of gigabytes. Your original media stays.

Delete them in Final Cut Pro

  1. Select the library in the Libraries sidebar.
  2. Choose File > Delete Generated Library Files.
  3. Select Delete Render Files and choose Unused Only or All. Select optimized and proxy media too, if you want.
  4. Click OK.

For a smaller scope, select an event, project or clip and choose File > Delete Generated Event Files, Project Files or Clip Files.

Is it safe?

Yes. Apple says these commands delete render, optimized and proxy files only, never original media. Final Cut Pro renders them again when you play or export.

Before you archive a library

Delete generated files before copying a finished library to an archive drive. It can make the library many times smaller.

The faster way: Caretaker

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Questions

Where are Final Cut Pro render files?

Inside the library, in a Render Files folder for each event.

Will deleting render files delete my media?

No. Apple says original media is never deleted by these commands.