It seems like with the latest update of Storyline, it is creating really large temp files during development and previewing. Before long I am out of hard drive space. But then it will not save at all to any location, even when there is plenty of disk space.
I just previewed one slide with quite a few layers and here you can see all the temp files created. After deleting them I saved the file and they came back again.
The images on each layer are like 50-60Kb, so they are not huge files.
It sounds similar to a situation described here that we've reported to our QA team, but that user was receiving an error message. So before we say that you're running into the same thing I'd like you to check into the following items:
- Have you already looked into the guidelines here in terms of working on your project files? I can see that it's saving to the C drive, but please also check the length of the file path and file name. - You may also want to look into the repair steps outlined here.
This problem seems to have started after installing the latest update last week. The working folder is C:\Vodia, and I publish here as well. I can't understand why the file is 240,000 KB, even after I stripped it down to just a few slides. But those temp files appear 1. When you preview 2. When you save the project. I did see a recovery file when I had a crash as it would not allow me to save it anywhere at all, saying there was not enough disk space (remote 2TB hard drive or a network drive).
I just uninstalled and re-installed Storyline, then opened and saved my project. There are 27 new temp files again, C:\Users\zus0205\AppData\Local\Temp, plus the log files for the uninstall/re-install.
I made a screen recording of the issue to try and demonstrate the issue. I still can't understand why the file size is about 240MB for 7 slides with some screen capture images that are about 50-60KB each.
Thanks for the video. So you're not seeing the error message as that thread described? Also, I see that it mentioned the OSCdrive -but there are some characters before that that seem like your C drive is a sub folder of something else? Can you try saving to your desktop just to help rule that out entirely?
Thanks - just wanted to confirm as it was difficult to tell where it was located based on that video and I wasn't sure if you were using a network drive or VM that may not be entirely local.
Since Storyline is not crashing and you're not receiving the error message, I'm not certain that this matches the issue I previously linked to. I know I already asked you to do the repair steps above, but I'd like to have you go through the more involved repair options outlined here. If you're still having an issue with a lot of extraneous files being created can you connect with our Support team?
Well, I started a new project and then copied most everything to the new project. It is now 1200 KB instead of 242000 KB. It also no longer creates those crazy temp files.
The only thing I did not bring in was the entire slide that had about 20 layers on it. I just copied what was on the main layer.
Just something corrupt in that file I guess. Thanks for the help!
Thanks Rick for the update - and our QA team is aware of some issues with the temp files being created, but it sounds like you're issue may have been different. In case you see it again, there is some documentation of further troubleshooting steps in the bottom of this article.
This has been shared with our QA team, and as they look into fixes you'll want to follow these steps to delete the temp files:
Open Windows Explorer, type %temp% in the address field, and press Enter.
When your temp directory opens, press Ctrl+A to select all the temp files, then press the Delete key on your keyboard.
A few temp files may currently be in use that can't be deleted. When prompted, you can skip those.
You can now save your project file.
We're working to improve the way temp files are handled so this issue won't occur. In the meantime, you'll need to empty your temp directory if you find that you can't save your project file.
Storyline 2 Update 4 was released Friday, which included the following fixes:
Fixed issue where a project file couldn't be saved due to "Store must be open for this operation" error
Fixed issue where temp files weren't purging, which could prevent project files from saving
Fixed issue where Quizmaker '09 quizzes couldn't be imported with Flash Player 16 installed
To install the latest update for Articulate Storyline 2, use the download link in your product activation email, or download the latest installer here. Updates are free for existing Storyline 2 licensees.
I have still been having this issue, even with Update 4 installed, so I've just taken to going in and deleting the old .tmp files manually to keep them from building up.
I just realized that this is a different folder than where the auto-recover (.tmp) files are saved as I've been deleting those but I was not aware of the Temp folder.
Just a question, though - there are lots of files in the Temp folder that cannot be definitively identified as having been created by Storyline, plus numerous others that certainly are not Storyline files - is it safe to delete ALL files in this folder (except for the ones that are in use)? There is an entire folder that belongs to my virtual machine so I don't want to risk messing anything up there but some Storyline files are more than a year and a half old!
Also, we released update 5 last week, and that included a number of other bug updates, so you may want to look into going through the latest update as well.
Hello, having the same problem with Storyline inside of Articulate 360.
My storyline temp folder in appdata/local fills up everytime I save. Keeps expanding until my 250 gigs C drive is completely maxed out. I have to manually delete the folder when working with the software. Is there any trick around this?
Are you having to follow the same steps for Storyline 2 to purge the temp files? Have you looked at disabling the Auto recovery feature to see if that helps stop the creation of all the temp files?
That's a good interim step, but it will mean if something happens that causes Storyline to crash you won't be able to access the recovered file. It sounds like you're saving on a regular basis so that may also not be as big of an issue for you - but definitely something to keep in mind.
How big is the Storyline 360 file that you're trying to save?
Sorry for commenting on an old thread, but having just had a load of low-disk warnings I had a dig around on my hard drive. What I found was 96GB of tmp files in 'C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\Articulate\Storyline'.
These files go back to September 2020 and some are up to 300MB each!
Does Storyline 360 not delete Auto Recovery documents once a user chooses to save their file?
PS: I followed the instructions above of clearning the %temp% folder but that doesn't reach the files on my drive as they are not in the Local folder.
No need for apologies, Chris, happy you reached out! 😊
This post provides a helpful explanation of those files, but since you mentioned you've already tried removing them, I'd like to get you connected with one of our support engineers so they can take a deeper look!
I've opened a case on your behalf, so stay tuned, and one of my teammates will reach out to you shortly!
26 Replies
I just previewed one slide with quite a few layers and here you can see all the temp files created. After deleting them I saved the file and they came back again.
The images on each layer are like 50-60Kb, so they are not huge files.
Hi Rick,
It sounds similar to a situation described here that we've reported to our QA team, but that user was receiving an error message. So before we say that you're running into the same thing I'd like you to check into the following items:
- Have you already looked into the guidelines here in terms of working on your project files? I can see that it's saving to the C drive, but please also check the length of the file path and file name.
- You may also want to look into the repair steps outlined here.
This problem seems to have started after installing the latest update last week. The working folder is C:\Vodia, and I publish here as well.
I can't understand why the file is 240,000 KB, even after I stripped it down to just a few slides. But those temp files appear 1. When you preview 2. When you save the project.
I did see a recovery file when I had a crash as it would not allow me to save it anywhere at all, saying there was not enough disk space (remote 2TB hard drive or a network drive).
I just uninstalled and re-installed Storyline, then opened and saved my project. There are 27 new temp files again, C:\Users\zus0205\AppData\Local\Temp, plus the log files for the uninstall/re-install.
I made a screen recording of the issue to try and demonstrate the issue. I still can't understand why the file size is about 240MB for 7 slides with some screen capture images that are about 50-60KB each.
Hi Rick,
Thanks for the video. So you're not seeing the error message as that thread described? Also, I see that it mentioned the OSCdrive -but there are some characters before that that seem like your C drive is a sub folder of something else? Can you try saving to your desktop just to help rule that out entirely?
It is just named OSDisk, for operating system disk. It is just working right off the hard drive.
Best regards/Vänliga hälsningar,
Rick Pruitt
Mobile: +46 (0)76 553 1291
US mobile: +1-757-338-2234
email: rick.pruitt@volvo.com
Hi Rick,
Thanks - just wanted to confirm as it was difficult to tell where it was located based on that video and I wasn't sure if you were using a network drive or VM that may not be entirely local.
Since Storyline is not crashing and you're not receiving the error message, I'm not certain that this matches the issue I previously linked to. I know I already asked you to do the repair steps above, but I'd like to have you go through the more involved repair options outlined here. If you're still having an issue with a lot of extraneous files being created can you connect with our Support team?
Well, I started a new project and then copied most everything to the new project. It is now 1200 KB instead of 242000 KB. It also no longer creates those crazy temp files.
The only thing I did not bring in was the entire slide that had about 20 layers on it. I just copied what was on the main layer.
Just something corrupt in that file I guess. Thanks for the help!
Thanks Rick for the update - and our QA team is aware of some issues with the temp files being created, but it sounds like you're issue may have been different. In case you see it again, there is some documentation of further troubleshooting steps in the bottom of this article.
I am also experiencing these issues, I'm up to 50GB in my "AppData\Local\Temp" area.
Hi David,
This has been shared with our QA team, and as they look into fixes you'll want to follow these steps to delete the temp files:
We're working to improve the way temp files are handled so this issue won't occur. In the meantime, you'll need to empty your temp directory if you find that you can't save your project file.
Hi all,
Storyline 2 Update 4 was released Friday, which included the following fixes:
To install the latest update for Articulate Storyline 2, use the download link in your product activation email, or download the latest installer here. Updates are free for existing Storyline 2 licensees.
Thanks for the update Ashley!!
No problem Rick!
I have still been having this issue, even with Update 4 installed, so I've just taken to going in and deleting the old .tmp files manually to keep them from building up.
I just realized that this is a different folder than where the auto-recover (.tmp) files are saved as I've been deleting those but I was not aware of the Temp folder.
Just a question, though - there are lots of files in the Temp folder that cannot be definitively identified as having been created by Storyline, plus numerous others that certainly are not Storyline files - is it safe to delete ALL files in this folder (except for the ones that are in use)? There is an entire folder that belongs to my virtual machine so I don't want to risk messing anything up there but some Storyline files are more than a year and a half old!
Hi Mel,
If your temp directory is full, here's how you want to delete them and look for the files.
Also, we released update 5 last week, and that included a number of other bug updates, so you may want to look into going through the latest update as well.
Hello, having the same problem with Storyline inside of Articulate 360.
My storyline temp folder in appdata/local fills up everytime I save. Keeps expanding until my 250 gigs C drive is completely maxed out. I have to manually delete the folder when working with the software. Is there any trick around this?
Storyline 360 I should mention
Hi Eric,
Are you having to follow the same steps for Storyline 2 to purge the temp files? Have you looked at disabling the Auto recovery feature to see if that helps stop the creation of all the temp files?
Hello Ashley, yes disabling the Auto Recovery fixed the creation of endless gigs in temp folder. Good to know, thank you!!
That's a good interim step, but it will mean if something happens that causes Storyline to crash you won't be able to access the recovered file. It sounds like you're saving on a regular basis so that may also not be as big of an issue for you - but definitely something to keep in mind.
How big is the Storyline 360 file that you're trying to save?
Sorry for commenting on an old thread, but having just had a load of low-disk warnings I had a dig around on my hard drive.
What I found was 96GB of tmp files in 'C:\Users\me\AppData\Roaming\Articulate\Storyline'.
These files go back to September 2020 and some are up to 300MB each!
Does Storyline 360 not delete Auto Recovery documents once a user chooses to save their file?
PS: I followed the instructions above of clearning the %temp% folder but that doesn't reach the files on my drive as they are not in the Local folder.
No need for apologies, Chris, happy you reached out! 😊
This post provides a helpful explanation of those files, but since you mentioned you've already tried removing them, I'd like to get you connected with one of our support engineers so they can take a deeper look!
I've opened a case on your behalf, so stay tuned, and one of my teammates will reach out to you shortly!