# GWBK db\_backup\_sqlite.idb Holding Old Projects

**URL:** <https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918>\
**Category:** Ignition\
**Tags:** ignition81\
**Created:** [July 5, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918 "2023-07-05T02:38:34Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![WillMT10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7feea3/32.png) [@WillMT10](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/WillMT10)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 2:38am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918/1 "2023-07-05T02:38:34Z")

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I have a 8.1.14 gateway that I was getting ready to upgrade to 8.1.28 but I noticed that my gwbk file was on the large side (~200MB) so I decided to investigate a bit. As expected, the bulk of the disk space is contained within the `db_backup_sqlite.idb` file. I started poking around in the sqlite tables and noticed that the `PROJECTS` and `PROJECT_RESOURCES` tables are hanging onto a bunch of projects/resources that were deleted long ago. They are also missing more recent projects that we've created over the past couple of years. Are these tables an artifact from 7.9/8.0 and are no longer used? I'm assuming this data is now stored in the file system as opposed to the internal DB (`data/projects`)? If so, is it safe to clear out these tables (after archiving an untouched gwbk, of course)?

This gateway started out as a 7.9.x gateway, took the hop to 8.0.x, and then to 8.1.14.

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**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 2:40am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918/2 "2023-07-05T02:40:07Z")

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> [@WillMT10](#):
>
> Are these tables an artifact from 7.9

Yes.

> [@WillMT10](#):
>
> is it safe to clear out these tables

Supposed to be. You might want to experiment in a clean environment.

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**Author:** ![WillMT10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7feea3/32.png) [@WillMT10](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/WillMT10)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 2:43am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918/3 "2023-07-05T02:43:28Z")

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Thanks Phil! I have to say, that is the fastest response I have ever received on a forum post 🔥

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**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 2:57am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918/4 "2023-07-05T02:57:03Z")

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I just happened by--decompressing after the fireworks show I hosted for the neighborhood. 😁

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**Author:** ![avaughn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/avaughn/32/38972_2.png) [@avaughn](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/avaughn)\
**Post date:** [July 5, 2023, 3:20am UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/gwbk-db-backup-sqlite-idb-holding-old-projects/75918/5 "2023-07-05T03:20:14Z")

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Starting in 8.1.23, this cleanup should be automatically done on startup. So if you upgrade first it’ll be done for you.

[https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/display/DOC81/Gateway+Configuration+File+Reference#GatewayConfigurationFileReference-InternalDatabaseMaintenanceTasks](https://docs.inductiveautomation.com/display/DOC81/Gateway+Configuration+File+Reference#GatewayConfigurationFileReference-InternalDatabaseMaintenanceTasks)