Title: Question, not a problem
Last modified: March 13, 2026

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# Question, not a problem

 *  Resolved [knittingand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/knittingand/)
 * (@knittingand)
 * [3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/question-not-a-problem/)
 * When you delete unused media using the free version, does it only remove it from
   the library, or does it delete the physical file as well?

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

 *  Plugin Author [Jordy Meow](https://wordpress.org/support/users/tigroumeow/)
 * (@tigroumeow)
 * [3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/question-not-a-problem/#post-18850369)
 * Hi [@knittingand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/knittingand/),
 * To answer the simplest part of your question first: yes! 😊 The free version 
   removes both the database entry (from the Media Library) and the physical file(
   s) itself.
 * If you have the **Trash** feature enabled (which is on by default), here is how
   it works under the hood:
    - The physical file is moved to a _trash_ folder.
    - The database _post type_ is temporarily changed to a custom status.
 * **This makes the file and media entry completely disappear from your standard
   WordPress views.** That way, if the media was used somewhere, it will appear 
   as broken. However, Media Cleaner keeps track of the physical file’s location
   so you can easily restore it if needed. When restored, the file is moved back
   to its original folder and the database entry is switched back to an attachment.
 * Just to clarify one last thing; you might have been thinking and being confused
   by the existence of the **Filesystem Scan** feature in the Pro version. That 
   feature is specifically for analyzing files on your server that are _not_ registered
   in your Media Library. So it’s something else, don’t worry about it! 😌
 *  Thread Starter [knittingand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/knittingand/)
 * (@knittingand)
 * [3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/question-not-a-problem/#post-18850379)
 * Thank you for the clarification and fast reply. Yes, that is exactly what was
   confusing me!

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)

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 * 2 replies
 * 2 participants
 * Last reply from: [knittingand](https://wordpress.org/support/users/knittingand/)
 * Last activity: [3 months ago](https://wordpress.org/support/topic/question-not-a-problem/#post-18850379)
 * Status: resolved