How to Resolve Large FlowData Directory and Automate File Cleanup in Decisions

RichterBell

Our Decisions server recently ran low on disk space, and we discovered that the C:\Program Files\Decisions\FileStorage\Primary\FlowData directory contains a huge amount of temporary files. Although the File Storage Cleanup Job is scheduled, only a small portion of data is being archived or deleted. What are the best practices for fully automating file archiving and deletion in Decisions, and how can we safely clear out this directory to free up space?

MalikBackman_Decisions

Hello,

This is a common issue when temporary files (like PDFs and flow data) accumulate in the FlowData directory, often due to incomplete flows or sessions that don’t reach an End step. Here’s how to resolve it and automate cleanup:

1. Run the File Storage Cleanup Job manually or on a schedule to clear temp files in FileStorage.

2. Run the Hard Delete Job manually or on a schedule to permanently remove files from the archive folder.

3. For immediate deletion:

○ Stop the Decisions Service.

○ Go to the deleted folder in C:\Program Files\Decisions\FileStorage\Primary.

○ Back up the deleted folder, then delete its contents.

○ Restart the Decisions Service.

4. Always test cleanup steps in a test environment before applying to production.

5. Take a database backup before running any cleanup operations.

6. Coordinate with Decisions support for further troubleshooting if needed.

Reference: File Archiving and Deletion Documentation

Link: File Archiving and Deletion - https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/file-archiving-and-deletion

Hope this helps!