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Is It Safe to Delete DaVinci Resolve Cache Clips and Gallery Items?

Khadija Khan Oct 20, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know if deleting cache clips and gallery items in DaVinci Resolve after rendering a video is safe and which files should be preserved.

Product: DaVinci Resolve
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Freeing up hard drive storage space after successfully rendering and completing a video project.
Observed behavior: Seeking confirmation on the safety of deleting temporary project files to avoid accidentally losing essential video editing data.

Before you start

Ensure that your final video render is fully exported and verified, and back up your project file (.drp) along with all original source media assets before clearing any cache.

Solution 1Recommended

Safely Delete Render Cache and Gallery Stills

Clearing these generated files is completely safe and highly recommended to free up significant disk space after project completion.

Cache clips are temporary files generated by the software to improve playback performance during editing, while gallery items store still images and color grading previews. Since DaVinci Resolve can regenerate these files automatically as long as the original media and project file are intact, deleting them after your final render will not damage your project or delete your actual timeline edits.

Clear Render Cache

Open your DaVinci Resolve project, click on the 'Playback' menu in the top navigation bar, select 'Delete Render Cache', and choose 'All' to clear the temporary files.

Clear Optimized Media

If you also used optimized media, go back to the 'Playback' menu and select 'Delete Optimized Media' to free up additional hard drive space.

Manage Gallery Stills

Navigate to the 'Color' page at the bottom workspace ribbon, right-click inside the 'Gallery' panel, and delete any saved stills that you no longer need for reference.

Safely Delete Render Cache and Gallery Stills

Preserve Source Files: Always keep your original media files and the DaVinci Resolve project backup (.drp). If you reopen the project in the future, the software will simply re-render the cache clips as needed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly are cache clips in DaVinci Resolve?

Cache clips are temporary render files generated by DaVinci Resolve to ensure smooth playback of heavy visual effects, transitions, or high-resolution media during the editing process.

Will I lose my color grades if I delete gallery items?

No, deleting gallery items only removes the still images and previews used for visual reference. The actual color grading node adjustments applied to the clips on your timeline remain perfectly intact.

What happens if I reopen a project after deleting its cache?

The project will open normally with all edits preserved. However, you may experience slower timeline playback initially because DaVinci Resolve will need to automatically regenerate the render cache for complex clips and effects.

Can I automatically manage cache files in DaVinci Resolve?

Yes. You can manage cache behavior by clicking the gear icon in the bottom right corner to open 'Project Settings', then navigating to 'Master Settings' to adjust the 'Optimized Media and Render Cache' parameters.

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