---
id: delta-drive.what-does-orphaned-mean-in-delta-drive
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/what-does-orphaned-mean-in-delta-drive
category: "Delta Drive, Delta Trust & My Drive"
subcategory: "Search, notes and versions"
question: "What does 'Orphaned' mean in Delta Drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "Orphaned files Delta Drive"
  - "Files not changed in a year"
  - "Is it safe to delete orphaned files?"
  - "Delta Drive unchanged files"
short_answer: "Orphaned lists files unchanged for over a year. It's only a date, not a verdict — files you rely on but never edit look the same — so review before moving anything to the trash."
tags: ["orphaned", "cleanup", "delta drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/what-is-index-and-notes-in-delta-drive", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/what-does-delta-drive-analytics-show"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What does 'Orphaned' mean in Delta Drive?

**Orphaned** is a lens in Index & notes for files nothing has changed in over a year. It's a date, not a judgement: a file you never edit but rely on looks exactly the same from here as one you've forgotten.

Read the list before acting on it. If something really isn't needed, **Move to Trash** keeps it recoverable until you empty the trash.

Analytics also shows anything nobody has opened since recording started. See [Analytics](https://storagestudio.us/faq/delta-drive/what-does-delta-drive-analytics-show).