Purging Versions

Learn about purging file versions in Vault.

As files in the vault are worked on over time, versions are created, taking up room in the vault. The versions range from the initial draft version, to versions representing work in progress to the final version. Using the Purge Wizard, you can manage the version history in a vault. Versions that are no longer needed can be purged from the vault, creating a more compact vault database and improving the overall performance of a vault.

The Purge Wizard allows you to specify criteria for removing versions from a vault. You specify the conditions that must be met in order for a file version to be kept in the vault. Versions that do not meet the specified criteria are then removed from the vault.

Note: You must be assigned the role of Administrator or Document Editor II to perform this action. Contact your vault administrator to verify your role. File versions being purged as well as all related files must be checked into the vault before purging.

Basic rules of purging:

• The latest version in a revision cannot be purged (this revision is never removed). To remove a file and all of its versions from a vault, use Delete.
• The leading version of a revision cannot be purged.
• File versions linked to items in Vault Professional cannot be purged. To remove a version linked to an item, the item must first be deleted from the item master.
• File versions that are labeled cannot be purged.
• File versions marked as Controlled by the life cycle definition may not be purged.
• Only the first, last, or first and last versions in a released state can be purged.
• Older versions of files that are currently checked out can be purged.
• Children with a dependent parent version cannot be purged until the parent version has been purged.
• The Administrator role can override purge restrictions and force the removal of versions, except for versions that are linked to items.

• For Autodesk Vault Workgroup and Vault Professional. Files are purged based on revision and lifecycle rules. To purge files that are not controlled by a lifecycle, configure the Version Selection Criteria section in the Purge dialog.