topic Re: Cant delete file in Fusion Support Forum

Cant delete file

35009VHKYK — Sat, 04 May 2024 01:37:09 GMT

I can't delete this file. It says it is referenced by a project, but Fusion says it is not referenced. I am very confused. I used it in the early stages of a project, but I later swapped for a better and improved one using "replace component"; maybe that is the issue. IDK. Can I fix this?

Re: Cant delete file

RajkumarIlanchelian — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:15:10 GMT

@35009VHKYK Does it give you name of a file that it is referenced in in the warning message?

Re: Cant delete file

35009VHKYK — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:27:27 GMT

No. If you look at the pictures, it says nothing references it. I'm confused

Re: Cant delete file

RajkumarIlanchelian — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:30:59 GMT

@35009VHKYK Yes, I know the image says that it has no reference but where are you seeing this "It says it is referenced by a project".

Re: Cant delete file

35009VHKYK — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:56:04 GMT

I see it when I attempt to delete the file.

Re: Cant delete file

RajkumarIlanchelian — Sat, 04 May 2024 03:20:03 GMT

@35009VHKYK Would it be possible to invite me to this project? I can try to see which file it is referencing in the back end. Raj.kumar.ilanchelian@autodesk.com.

Re: Cant delete file

jeff_strater — Sat, 04 May 2024 03:25:56 GMT

the answer is here: "I used it in the early stages of a project, but I later swapped for a better and improved one using "replace component"; maybe that is the issue." Yes, that is what is blocking the delete. Fusion keeps around every version of your design, and allows older versions to be opened and "saved as latest". So, even though the design is not currently referenced by any design, it is still referenced by that older version, and that is what is blocking the delete. The easiest thing to do is to just create a folder where you can put designs that you don't need anymore, and move that design to that "attic" folder. Any other fix is more involved - having to export the top-level design as an F3Z, then re-import it (as a way to purge old versions), then delete from the top down.

Re: Cant delete file

christian_menne — Tue, 06 May 2025 09:08:27 GMT

I have this very same issue, but instead of this attic, I would like to follow the "more involved" fix as I'd like to have a clean area. I opened the first version and used "save as latest". I exported the first version and imported it as new vresion. Still, all old versions still remain.

Re: Cant delete file

LeoUN5WP — Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:51:30 GMT

This is a ridiculous feature, half of our companies parts are in folders called "old not used" just because of this. They are useless and not in any other files but cannot be deleted. Autodesk should impliment a feature were you can see which file it is condemmed by and then be able to break the link. Alternativly be able to "archive files" and have a big archive folder which is not normally shown.

Re: Cant delete file

kdesrochersAU696 — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:53:23 GMT

NOT SOLVED! That's a hack, not a solution! There shouldn't even be "back end" links and files that the user can't see. Those links need to be visible and breakable by the user. Period! This is nonsense!