Is there a specific way local files should be deleted?

[Anonymous]

A new central file was created, and I want to delete the old local file to keep my folder clean. Am I able to simply right click on the file and delete? Or does this need to be detached first?

[barthbradley · Accepted solution]

It's okay to delete locals.  Delete away. 

[constantin.stroescu · Accepted solution]

Allow me to ask you if when you start working:

• you open your Local File and then Synchronize
• or, you open the Central with Create New Local checked by default?

If you use second way, then,  you have two options:

1. Overwrite existing file
2. and Append Timestamp to existing filename

   By using the first method  you will keep only one Local File that will be renewed every time you begin a new session. So you will have in your computer an exact copy of the Central. That's very good! If the Central broke or you lost connection then , it can be recovered from your Local.

  By using the second method you will keep trace of the Project stages , and this also can be a good choice if you want to go back to previous stage of the work ... Anyway you can delete the old files and keep only the newer version.

I don't advice you to delete your last Local copy.. you could regret it latter...

[RobDraw · Accepted solution]

As long as you are synching with central with every close, deleting local files is safe to do. I delete them as part of regular folder cleanup. Unless you are the only one working on a project when you synch, your model is already outdated when you synch. It's missing everything the other people have done since their last synch. 

[ritztran]

Can I have a question? Deleting a last local file is a good practice or not? Could you explain why?

[RobDraw]

A local file is only good until someone else synchs. The only real value I've had for one was once when someone opened the central model and worked on it for over an hour. Someone else's local file was good and handy to use for a new central. That's one time in over a decade.