Old uploads have a way of piling up — the photo you replaced, the PDF you never linked, the version of a logo you stopped using last year. Clearing them out frees up space and makes your library easier to search, so here's how to find the files that aren't doing anything and remove them for good.

## Before you start

- An account that's allowed to upload files to the site.
- A moment to check you really don't need the file — deleting is permanent, and it also removes the file from any posts or pages using it.
- A backup or a fresh download of anything you're unsure about. Once it's deleted, you can't undo it.

## Steps

### Step 1: Open your Media Library

In the left-hand menu, click **Media** and then **Library**. Your newest uploads appear first, so you're looking at the same list your site uses everywhere.

![Open your Media Library](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTQ2NiwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--1e6aed5c90cb7dade325762aa2fa29cb682bcade/block_open-library.png)

### Step 2: Show only the files nothing is using

Above the grid, open the **Filter by type** dropdown and choose **Unattached**. These are uploads that aren't linked to any post or page, which usually makes them the safest ones to clear out.

![Show only the files nothing is using](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTQ2NSwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--21e7b44c52bbf24ba121c6e128459b68f8ca534b/block_find-unused.png)

### Step 3: Select the files you want to remove

Click **Bulk select** at the top of the screen, then click each file you want to remove. Every item you pick gets a blue check mark, and the toolbar switches to **Delete permanently** and **Cancel**. When your list looks right, click **Delete permanently** — and if you change your mind, **Cancel** takes you back to normal browsing.

![Select the files you want to remove](https://wordpress.supportpages.io/rails/active_storage/blobs/proxy/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6OTQ2NywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--e0c939d3c11d2890c237915bba1f620c9390c9fc/block_select-files.png)

### Step 4: Confirm the deletion

WordPress double-checks with you first, because this can't be undone — worth a read before you agree. When it's done, the notice at the top of the screen tells you how many files were removed.

## Tips

- Not sure about a file? Click it to open the details dialog and see where it's used before you decide.
- To remove just one file, open that item and use **Delete permanently** in the dialog — no need to turn on **Bulk select** for a single upload.
- Working in the list view instead? The same **Unattached** option is in the filter dropdown, along with **Attach** if a file simply needs a new home rather than deleting.

## Summary

Filter your library to **Unattached**, tick the files you no longer need, and delete them permanently. A couple of minutes now saves you a cluttered library later.