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where does davinci resolve save projects

DaVinci Resolve stores projects in a centralized database rather than individual files. This unique system keeps everything organized, like a digital library for your edits, preventing clutter across your drives.

Default Locations

Projects live in hidden app folders tied to your operating system. Here's where to find them:

Platform| Default Path
---|---
Windows| C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve\Support\Resolve Disk Database\Resolve Projects\ []
macOS| /Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Application Support/Blackmagic Design/DaVinci Resolve/Support/Resolve Disk Database/Resolve Projects/ []
Linux| ~/.local/share/DaVinciResolve/ResolveDiskDatabases/ (common path from forums) []

Pro Tip : These paths hold .drp database files mirroring your Project Manager structure—open a folder, and you'll spot the Project DB file with all details.[][]

How to Customize

Don't like the defaults? Change them easily:

  1. Launch Project Manager (it's your project's home base).
  2. Right-click your database > Modify Database Location to pick a new spot.
  3. For backups, hit DaVinci Resolve > Preferences > User > Project Save and Load—enable Live Save and set backup intervals/locations.[]

This keeps your work safe, especially autosaving as you edit to dodge those heart-stopping crashes.[]

Backups and Exporting

DaVinci Resolve shines with project export for archiving. Export as .drp files via Project Manager > Export Project—choose any folder, then re- import later. Forum users swear by this for team shares or drive swaps, as seen in recent 2025 tutorials on safe folder structures.[]

"Export project to folder for saving/archive and keep safe... Folder structure matches Project Manager." []

Multi-viewpoint from forums : Some editors stick to defaults for speed, others export religiously to external SSDs amid trending talks on data loss post-Resolve 19 updates—no major changes reported as of March 2026.[]

Extra Folders Explained

  • Cache/Optimized Media : Preferences > Master Settings > Working Folders (often separate, like C:\Resolve Cache).
  • Gallery Stills : Similar subfolder in the database.
  • Guest Projects : Temp folder for unnamed work—check Project Manager.[][]

TL;DR : Hunt in AppData (Windows) or Library (Mac), customize via Preferences, and export for backups—your projects are safer than ever.[][] Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.