---
id: freeing-space.how-much-of-my-drive-can-the-recycle-vault-use
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/how-much-of-my-drive-can-the-recycle-vault-use
category: "Freeing up space"
subcategory: "Recycle Vault"
question: "Can the Recycle Vault fill up my external drive?"
alt_questions:
  - "Recycle Vault using too much external drive space"
  - "Recycle Vault budget percent"
  - "Will removed files fill my SSD?"
  - "Limit Recycle Vault size"
  - "Recycle Vault drive space"
  - "What happens when the Recycle Vault reaches its share of my external drive?"
  - "Recycle Vault full external drive"
  - "Use at most percent of the external drive"
  - "Will the Recycle Vault fill my SSD?"
  - "Recycle Vault drive budget"
short_answer: "No. It's capped at a share of the drive — 20% by default, adjustable from 5% to 80% — and over budget it clears the oldest items already past their keep time first."
tags: ["recycle vault", "external drive", "budget", "limits"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/freeing-space/how-do-i-permanently-delete-from-the-recycle-vault"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Can the Recycle Vault fill up my external drive?

No. The vault has a budget on your external drive — 20% of the drive by default, adjustable in its settings between 5% and 80% — so it can never fill the drive.

If it goes over budget, it clears the oldest items that are already past their roughly 6-month keep time first; items still within that time aren't removed to make room. You can also free space yourself with **Delete now**. See [Recycle Vault settings](https://storagestudio.us/faq/settings/what-can-i-change-in-recycle-vault-settings).