[ARCHIVED] Can I delete files in my files and images once they are loaded into an assignment or quiz or page?

[maingreg]

I ran out of space in my canvas and need to create more. If I delete all of my files will that effect any of the materials I have created with them?

[James · Accepted solution]

 @maingreg  

Yes. If you delete them from the course files then they won't be available to students. 

Make sure that you're uploading files to the course files and not your personal files. Students wouldn't have access to them if they're in your personal files. Personal file storage is often smaller than course storage as well -- at our institution, we get 50 MB for personal users, but 500 MB for course files (this is under Course > Settings).

You can check that it really is your course files that need expanded by going to the Course Settings page and then choosing Course Statistics from the sidebar. This lesson from the Canvas Instructor Guide provides more information about this: https://community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-12967-4152724567 

If it really is the course that is running out of storage space, then your Canvas Admin may be willing to raise that 500 MB under legitimate reasons. The 50 MB for personal storage often runs into trouble when someone makes video or audio comments. Those are separate from your course files, though.

There may be times when the Canvas Admin wouldn't want to increase that 500 MB. For example, if you're uploading videos directly to Canvas, you may not want to do this. Your institution may have some external video hosting service (we use Canvas Studio, but before that many of us posted our videos on YouTube and made them unlisted). You can also use sites like Google Drive or OneDrive / Sharepoint to store files and let your students access them.

[maingreg]

Thanks i know its course files. I may need to look at an adjustment. GregSent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device

[GillianMills]

Hi

I am completing the PCPEP course and it won't let me upload anymore files, it says upload failed, l have checked the storage in files and it says it is at 100%.

I have work still to upload and my deadline to finish the course is 31st March 2022, how do l free up space or get more space added?

Thanks

Gillian

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @GillianMills ...

Any files that you upload as part of an assignment submission should not count against your personal file limit for your Canvas account.  This is covered under the heading "View User Files" in the following Guide: How do I view my user files as a student? - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).  I assume that you are accessing your Canvas personal files through your "Account" >> "Files" screen in Canvas, correct?  Is that the area where you are seeing that it is 100% full?  While this Guide tells you how to delete files/folders, you shouldn't have to worry about that when you are submitting work to your instructor(s) within Canvas.  How do I delete a file or folder as a student? - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com).  You may need to reach out to your school's local Canvas admin or someone from your school's Online Learning/eLearning department to have them investigate this more with you...as we wouldn't have access to your Canvas account here in the Community.  Good luck!