Delete a project by moving it to your Recycle Bin

To delete a Scrivener project in Windows, close the project first, then right-click its folder in File Explorer and select Delete. The project moves to your Recycle Bin, where you can recover it if you change your mind. This is the safest method because Scrivener itself has no built-in delete function — the program treats projects as ordinary folders that Windows manages.

Before you delete, make sure you have a backup if the project contains work you might need later. Scrivener projects are single folders with a .scrivx file inside, so deleting the folder removes everything at once. Once you empty your Recycle Bin, the project cannot be recovered through normal means.

Key Takeaways

  • Close the project in Scrivener before deleting it, or Windows may lock the folder and prevent removal.
  • Right-click the project folder in File Explorer and choose Delete to send it to Recycle Bin, not permanent deletion.
  • A Scrivener project is a single folder containing a .scrivx file and all your manuscript text, so deleting the folder removes the entire project.
  • Empty your Recycle Bin only after confirming you no longer need the project, since recovery becomes difficult afterward.

Why Scrivener has no delete button inside the program

Scrivener treats projects as folders on your computer, the same way it treats a Word document or a folder of photos. There is no "Delete Project" button in the Scrivener menu because the program does not manage file deletion — Windows does. This design keeps Scrivener simple and gives you control over where your files live.

If Scrivener had a built-in delete function, you would have no way to recover a project you deleted by accident. By using Windows' Recycle Bin instead, you get a safety net. You can restore the project folder if you realize you made a mistake, as long as you have not emptied the bin.

Step-by-step: closing and deleting a project

Step 1: Close the project in Scrivener. Click File in the menu bar, then select Close Project. If you have unsaved changes, Scrivener will ask whether to save them first — choose Yes. Do not skip this step; Windows cannot delete a folder while Scrivener is using files inside it.

Step 2: Open File Explorer. Press Windows key + E or click the folder icon on your taskbar. Navigate to the folder where you stored the project. By default, Scrivener saves new projects in your Documents folder, but you may have saved it elsewhere.

Step 3: Find the project folder. Look for a folder with the project name. Inside it, you will see a file with the same name and a .scrivx extension — this is your project file. The folder also contains subfolders like "Files" and "Snapshots" that hold your manuscript and backups.

Step 4: Right-click and delete. Right-click the project folder and select Delete from the menu. The folder moves to your Recycle Bin. If you see a dialog asking for permission, click Yes to confirm.

What happens to backups when you delete a project

Scrivener creates automatic backups of your projects by default. These backups are stored separately from your project folder, usually in a hidden folder on your computer. When you delete the project folder itself, these backups remain on your drive unless you delete them separately.

To find and remove backups, open File Explorer and press Ctrl + H to show hidden files. Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Scrivener\Backups. Look for folders named after your deleted project and delete them if you want to free up space. Leaving backups in place takes up disk space but gives you one more recovery option if you change your mind.

Recovering a deleted project from Recycle Bin

If you delete a project by mistake, you can restore it as long as you have not emptied your Recycle Bin. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select Open. Find the project folder by name, right-click it, and select Restore. The folder returns to its original location, and you can open it in Scrivener again.

The restore process works the same way whether you deleted the project minutes ago or weeks ago — as long as the Recycle Bin still contains it. Once you empty the bin, recovery requires data recovery software and is not may provide to work. For this reason, do not empty your Recycle Bin immediately after deleting a project unless you are certain you no longer need it.

Permanently deleting a project without recovery

If you want to delete a project so thoroughly that recovery is not possible, you can bypass the Recycle Bin. In File Explorer, right-click the project folder and select Delete, then immediately press Shift + Delete. This permanently removes the folder without sending it to Recycle Bin. Use this method only when you are absolutely certain you will never need the project again.

Alternatively, you can delete the project normally, then right-click your Recycle Bin, select Empty Recycle Bin, and confirm. This erases all deleted files, including your project. Again, do this only when you have no doubt about your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a project while it is open in Scrivener?

You can try, but Windows will likely refuse because Scrivener is using files inside the folder. Close the project first in Scrivener to avoid errors. If you attempt deletion while the project is open and it fails, simply close the project and try again.

Where does Scrivener save projects by default?

New projects save to your Documents folder unless you choose a different location when creating the project. If you cannot find a project, open Scrivener, click File, then Recent Projects to see a list of your projects with their file paths shown.

Will deleting a project folder delete my manuscript text?

Yes. A Scrivener project is a single folder containing all your manuscript text, notes, research, and formatting. Deleting the folder removes everything inside it. This is why backups matter — keep a copy elsewhere before you delete.

What if I see a "folder is in use" error when trying to delete?

This means Scrivener or another program still has the project open. Close Scrivener completely, wait a few seconds, then try deleting again. If the error persists, restart your computer and try once more.

Can I delete just part of a project, like a single chapter?

No — you must delete the entire project folder. To remove individual chapters or sections, open the project in Scrivener and delete them there instead. This keeps the project intact while removing only the content you no longer need.