Deleting a project in Scrivener 3 for Windows means removing the entire folder and all its files from your computer
Scrivener does not have a built-in "delete project" button inside the process itself. Instead, you delete projects the same way you delete any folder on Windows — by finding it in File Explorer and sending it to the Recycle Bin. The project folder contains everything: your manuscript, research files, notes, and formatting. Once you delete it, that data is gone unless you restore it from the Recycle Bin or a backup.
Before you delete, make sure you have a backup if there is any chance you might need the project later. Scrivener projects are single folders, so deletion is straightforward, but it is permanent once you empty the Recycle Bin.
Key Takeaways
- Scrivener projects are stored as folders on your computer, and you delete them through File Explorer, not through Scrivener itself.
- Right-click the project folder and select "Delete" to send it to the Recycle Bin, or press the Delete key after selecting it.
- The project folder is usually in your Documents folder or wherever you chose to save it when you created the project.
- Deleted projects stay in the Recycle Bin until you empty it, so you can restore them if you change your mind.
- Close the project in Scrivener before deleting the folder to avoid errors or corruption.
Close the project before you delete it
Open Scrivener and make sure the project you want to delete is not currently open. If it is, go to File > Close Project. This prevents Scrivener from trying to access files that no longer exist, which can cause error messages or leave temporary files behind.
You do not need to uninstall Scrivener or close the process entirely — just close the individual project. Once it is closed, you can safely delete its folder.
Find the project folder in File Explorer
Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar or press Windows key + E). Navigate to the location where your Scrivener project is stored. By default, Scrivener saves new projects to your Documents folder, but you may have chosen a different location when you created the project.
Look for a folder with the project name. Scrivener projects are folders, not single files, so you will see a folder icon with the project name — for example, "My Novel.scriv" or "Research Project.scriv". The .scriv extension tells you it is a Scrivener project folder.
Delete the project folder
Right-click the project folder and select Delete from the menu. The folder will move to your Recycle Bin. Alternatively, click the folder once to select it and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
If you see a confirmation dialog asking whether you want to delete the folder and its contents, click Yes or Delete. Windows will move the entire project folder to the Recycle Bin in one action.
Restore a deleted project if you change your mind
If you delete a project by mistake, you can restore it before you empty the Recycle Bin. Open the Recycle Bin (usually on your desktop or accessible from File Explorer), find the project folder, right-click it, and select Restore. The folder will return to its original location.
Once you empty the Recycle Bin, recovery becomes much harder and usually requires data recovery software. If you think you might need a project later, do not empty the Recycle Bin when ready after deleting it.
Back up important projects before deletion
If a project contains work you might want to reference later — even if you are not actively writing in it — copy the project folder to an external drive or cloud storage before you delete it. Right-click the project folder, select Copy, navigate to your backup location, and select Paste.
This takes a few seconds and gives you a safety net. You can also use Windows File History or a third-party backup tool to automatically back up your Documents folder, which will include all your Scrivener projects.
What happens to recent projects list after deletion
After you delete a project folder, it may still appear in Scrivener's recent projects list (File > Recent Projects). This is normal — the list is just a record of projects you have opened, not a live connection to the files. If you click a deleted project in the recent list, Scrivener will show an error saying it cannot find the folder.
You can remove it from the list by right-clicking the project name in the recent projects menu and selecting the remove or delete option, depending on your Scrivener version. This is optional and does not affect anything — it just cleans up the menu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a project while it is open in Scrivener?
Technically yes, but you should not. Close the project first. If you delete the folder while Scrivener has it open, the process may crash or leave temporary files behind. Always close the project in Scrivener before deleting its folder.
What if I cannot find my project folder?
Open Scrivener and look at File > Recent Projects. Right-click the project name and select "Show in File Explorer" or similar option (exact wording varies by version). This will open the folder location directly. If that option is not available, open File Explorer and search for the project name in the search box.
Does deleting a Scrivener project uninstall the software?
No. Deleting a project folder only removes that one project and its files. Scrivener itself stays installed on your computer. You can continue using Scrivener with other projects or create new ones.
Can I recover a project after I empty the Recycle Bin?
Possibly, but it requires data recovery software and is not may provide. Prevention is easier: do not empty the Recycle Bin when ready after deleting a project. If you think you might need it, restore it from the Recycle Bin right away or keep a backup on an external drive.
What is the difference between closing a project and deleting it?
Closing a project keeps the folder and files on your computer but stops Scrivener from working with it. Deleting removes the folder entirely. You can reopen a closed project anytime. A deleted project is gone unless you restore it from the Recycle Bin or a backup.