Park Files Off-Site to Free Joomla Disk Space

Park Files is the File Valet action for freeing local Joomla disk space. QCBM builds and verifies an off-site package first, then removes only source files that still match the SHA-256 checksums recorded when the package was created.

Parking is therefore not a bulk delete. If a local file changed, became unavailable, or cannot be safely removed, QCBM preserves it and reports the job for review.

Requirements Before Parking

  • Max or All Access is effective.
  • Your account has the File Valet Park and Delete Local permissions.
  • Managed Private Storage is outside the public Joomla document root.
  • The queue and destination have been reviewed.
  • No other backup, export, recovery, or File Valet operation is active.

Start a Park Files Job

  1. Build the File Valet queue.
  2. Enter a Job name and choose the Off-site destination.
  3. Choose Park Files.
  4. Review the selections, file count, and Space to recover.
  5. Select the acknowledgement confirming that only unchanged files matching the verified package may be removed.
  6. Choose Park Files to begin.

QCBM Verifies the Remote Package First

QCBM inventories and checksums the files, creates the managed package, verifies its manifest and contents, uploads it, then downloads the off-site package again. The downloaded package must match the recorded size and SHA-256 checksum before local cleanup begins.

If the remote package cannot be verified, QCBM stops without treating the Park operation as complete.

How Local Cleanup Decides What to Remove

For each recorded file, QCBM calculates the current SHA-256 checksum. A matching normal file can be removed. A file whose checksum changed is marked as changed and preserved. Missing files are recorded as already missing, and protected paths, symbolic links, unexpected file types, or delete failures remain for review.

After file cleanup, QCBM removes recorded directories only when they are empty. It does not remove a directory that still contains preserved or unrelated content.

Understand Parked and Partially Parked

A clean job becomes Parked and is ready for later retrieval. If changed or unavailable files are preserved, the job becomes Partially Parked. The off-site package remains verified, but the finding should be reviewed so you know which local files still exist.

Park an Existing Copied Off-Site Record

A File Valet item already marked Copied Off-Site can be converted to parked storage later. Choose Park Local Files, accept the removal acknowledgement, and QCBM will verify the remote package again before evaluating local files for removal.

Verify the Space-Recovery Result

Confirm the item’s status and review any finding. Do not assume the full queued size was reclaimed if the status is Partially Parked; changed, unavailable, or undeletable files can remain on the Joomla site by design.

Community Discussion

Want to compare workflows, share practical tips, or discuss how you use this QCBM feature? Visit the QC Backup Manager Community. For private support, bug reports, account-specific issues, or feature requests, use the QuantaCade support system.