CADProps has two user-visible file lifecycles. A guest can process a file without signing in, but the working copy is temporary. A signed-in user can save uploads in an account library and reopen them across devices. Neither route should be treated as an unlimited archive.
Guest work is temporary
Guest files are automatically deleted about one hour after upload, including their previews and calculated results. The workspace shows the exact deadline. You can delete files earlier from the file menu, or clear the temporary workspace. Deleted files cannot be reopened. Limits and processing details are listed in the specifications. See the privacy policy for details about file handling.
Before a guest file expires, use its save action and sign in when prompted. CADProps saves the selected source and eligible derivatives when they fit the limits; it does not move the entire guest workspace just because you logged in. An expired source cannot be recovered this way. Check the save result and My files instead of relying on the guest tab as your only record.
The account has two limits
The account library allows 200 MB and 100 saved files. These are separate limits; hitting either one can prevent another save. Storage usage includes the saved originals, processing results and active share snapshots. A 5 MB upload can therefore consume more than 5 MB of account storage. The usage indicator in My files is the practical place to check what remains.
If you are close to a limit, download any originals you need, then delete files you no longer use. Deleting a saved source also removes its online results and revokes associated sharing links. Stopping an unused share can free its snapshot storage without deleting the saved source. A Pro link that allows original downloads keeps its own copy of the original, which counts towards storage until the link is stopped or expires.
The 90-day clock follows effective use
Saved files and their results are automatically deleted after 90 days without use by the owner. Opening a saved file or downloading its original starts a new 90-day period. Viewing the file list or having a recipient open a share does not. You can also delete saved files anytime from My files. The file table shows both Last used and Expires, so use those dates rather than assuming that a login refreshed every file.
Share links have their own 7-day or 30-day expiry and can end sooner if revoked or if the saved source file is deleted. A share recipient cannot extend the owner's file-retention clock. If you need an engineering record beyond these periods, keep the approved original and revision notes in your own storage system.
What to check before deleting
In My files, confirm the filename, selected rows and any active links under My shares. Download the original or a ZIP of selected originals if required, then delete. Removing a folder alone moves its files back to All files; deleting files removes their online originals and results.
For access controls and the distinction between account files, guest originals and backups, read the full security and privacy policy.
Work out which deadline applies
A temporary upload, a saved source and a sharing snapshot can have different deadlines. Read the workspace countdown for temporary work, Expires in the file table for account retention, and the share's own expiry for recipient access. A share created recently does not promise that its underlying source will remain saved indefinitely.
For example, keeping a browser tab open is not a substitute for deliberately saving the current source. Likewise, marking a file as a favorite helps you find it but does not freeze its retention clock. Use the dates displayed for the actual file and account rather than estimating from your last login.
When a save fails, check both storage and file count. Removing one small file may free a file slot while leaving too little storage for a new source and its results. Stopping a snapshot can reduce storage usage, but it does not necessarily free a saved-file slot.
Before cleaning up, download the approved originals you need and verify those downloads can be reopened. If a review link must end while the source remains useful, stop the link instead of deleting the source. If a project requires permanent retention, place the released file and revision record in your own archive.
Original article: CADProps · https://www.cadprops.com/guides/cadprops-storage-and-expiry/