How to Reset the Local Creative Cloud Files Database

The local Creative Cloud Files database (sync.db3 and its associated journal files) tracks synchronization states, file attributes, and local-to-cloud mapping for Adobe’s background engines. When this database becomes corrupted—often due to an unexpected power outage, an interrupted sync cycle, or remaining sync markers after Creative Cloud Synced Files was retired—it triggers high CPU usage, incorrect storage-quota alerts, or persistent “Inconsistent Local Metadata” errors. Resetting this database removes damaged SQLite journals and forces the background service to re-index your files cleanly.

Fast Fix

Close all Adobe applications. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Windows) or open Activity Monitor (macOS) and force-quit CoreSync. Press Win + R, paste %LocalAppData%\Adobe\CoreSync, and press Enter (on macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CoreSync). Delete all files ending in .db, .db3, and .journal, then relaunch Creative Cloud Desktop.

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Quick Status Snapshot

• Severity: Medium (resolves metadata errors, high CPU loops, and incorrect storage warnings).
• Target Layer: CoreSync SQLite storage schema (sync.db3, sync.db3-journal, sync.db3-wal).
• Privilege Level: Standard user account (administrative permissions not required).

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Why the Local Database Corrupts

CoreSync.exe uses an embedded SQLite database engine to monitor local directories. Every time a file is created, modified, or deleted, the transaction is written to a temporary write-ahead log (WAL) before being committed to the primary database.

[Local File Operation] ──► Writes to SQLite Journal (sync.db3-wal)
                                         │
                                         ▼
                         [Abrupt Shutdown / Sync Dropout]
                                         │
                                         ▼
                         [Database Journal Leaves Unclosed Lock]
                                         │
                         ┌───────────────┴───────────────┐
                         ▼                               ▼
            [SQLite Error 11: Corrupt DB]    [Endless Verification Loop]
            - CoreSync cannot parse records  - 100% CPU on single logical core
            - Local folder red 'X' errors    - "Inconsistent Local Metadata"

Database failures typically occur under three scenarios:

1. Unclosed Write Transactions: If your computer loses power or restarts during a file-indexing operation, the database journal remains locked. On the next launch, the engine stalls while trying to reconcile the broken journal.
2. Retired Cloud Pointers: Following the retirement of Creative Cloud Synced Files, local databases often retain records pointing to decommissioned remote endpoints, resulting in recurring sync loops (see Fixing ‘Inconsistent Local Metadata’ After Cloud Sync Removal).
3. Third-Party File System Locks: Antivirus software scanning the database file while SQLite attempts a commit can lock the database schema, generating read/write collision errors.

If CoreSync.exe is consuming continuous CPU cycles without syncing any actual files, see CoreSync.exe: How to Force Stop a Stuck Sync Process.

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Diagnostic Path: When to Reset the Database

[Creative Cloud Sync / File Glitch Detected]
                     │
                     ├──> Does the Creative Cloud icon show a permanent spinning sync loop?
                     │      └── YES ──► Database lockup. Reset CoreSync database.
                     │
                     ├──> Do local folders display red 'X' error badges post-update?
                     │      └── YES ──► Broken sync receipts. Reset database and clear markers.
                     │      └── See: [Fixing 'Creative Cloud Files' Folder Red 'X' After 2025 Update](<http://www.adobeopsguide.com/install-connection/cloud-migration/creative-cloud-files-red-x-fix>)
                     │
                     └──> Are deep AppData configuration files corrupted across multiple apps?
                            └── YES ──► Run a complete local profile clean.
                            └── See: [Cleaning Hidden Appdata/Local/Adobe Folders for a Fresh Start](<http://www.adobeopsguide.com/install-connection/repair-loops/clean-hidden-adobe-appdata-folders>)

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Step-by-Step Reset Procedure

Step 1: Fully Terminate the Synchronization Daemon

You cannot delete or modify the database files while CoreSync holds open read handles on them:

1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) on Windows, or Activity Monitor on macOS.
2. In the process list, search for:
   • CoreSync (or CoreSync.exe)
   • Adobe Content Synchronizer
3. Select the processes and click End Task / Force Quit.
4. Confirm that the processes do not automatically relaunch. If they do, temporarily close the Creative Cloud Desktop application.

Step 2: Navigate to the Database Repository

Open the hidden directory where the sync engine stores its SQLite catalogs:

On Windows:

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Paste the following path exactly and click OK:
   %LocalAppData%\Adobe\CoreSync

On macOS:

1. Switch to Finder, press Cmd + Shift + G, and paste:
   ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CoreSync
2. Press Return.

Step 3: Delete Corrupted Database Files

Inside the CoreSync folder, locate and remove the working database files:

1. Select all files matching the following patterns:
   • .db
   • .db3
   • .db3-journal
   • .db3-wal
   • .db3-shm
   • .log
2. Delete these files (or move them to a temporary folder on your desktop if you want a backup).
3. Do not delete the parent CoreSync folder itself, only the database files inside it.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ File Explorer: %LocalAppData%\Adobe\CoreSync             │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Name                 Date Modified        Type           │
│ 📄 sync.db3          Yesterday 4:12 PM    Data Base File │ <--- DELETE
│ 📄 sync.db3-journal  Yesterday 4:12 PM    JOURNAL File   │ <--- DELETE
│ 📄 schema.version    Last week            File           │
│ 📁 plugins           Last month           File folder    │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 4: Relaunch and Rebuild

1. Open the Creative Cloud Desktop application.
2. The core service will launch, notice that the database files are missing, and generate a fresh, uncorrupted sync.db3 catalog.
3. Allow the service several minutes to re-index your local files. During this initial scan, CPU usage will temporarily elevate before settling back to an idle state (0–1%).

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Hard Stops

• Deleting the database does not delete your assets. Removing sync.db3 only wipes local sync receipts and indexing caches. Your actual design files in your local folders remain untouched.
• Do not edit SQLite database tables directly using database editors unless instructed by an enterprise support representative. Manual schema edits can invalidate cryptographic signatures, causing the service to reject local files entirely.