How to remove non-existing but listed Material Libraries?

[HornOxx]

Hi, something stupid again
I run SU2024 and want to completely clean up these material libraries which are already deleted on the HD.
Nevertheless, these libraries get constantly listed somehow.
I just don't understand how I can completely remove these library entries in the material editor.

Best & I am grateful for any help

[Rich O Brien]

Isn't the default packaged materials hardcoded into SketchUp?

[Dave R]

@HornOxx from where did you delete them? On Windows the shipped materials are in Program Data.

I think Rich is correct that they are also hard coded so they would get rewritten if you delete them. And certainly the folders would be rewritten if you reinstall SketchUp.

[HornOxx]

thank you both for this clarification - I'm already in a state like in the film ‘Groundhog Day’. I had just deleted that! - hadn't I? - not?...
So no timeinvestment in the library cleaning project tomorrow

[TIG]

It is not completely hardcoded.
When SketchUp installs it makes a set of default folders e.g.
C:\ProgramData\SketchUp\SketchUp 2024\SketchUp\Materials
is one of those, containing the materials in subfolders that you no longer want.
If you delete it completely or rename it - say Materials!
Then it shouldn't load next time.
However, if you reinstall or repair v2024 it will be recreated.
BUT when you run SketchUp it is recreated As Materials BUT it is an empty folder.
You can also delete selected subfolders, if you still want some of the default materials to be available.

[gullfo]

and then, when you update to 2025, the default is into the app data\roaming directories, but still mysteriously mapped to the old 2024 path - so you end up with duplicated entries if you copy from the 2024 into the new home paths in 2025... very confusing - the preferences setting should be honored as-is or port the old path into the preferences... i just spent an hour trying to figure out why i was getting duplicates when i copied over to the new preference settings... please fix this in the next update...

[HornOxx]

Hi everyone and thank you for your interesting tips and information on this topic.
I have never really understood this directory topic for SketchUp materials - luckily it has worked so far.
What was always confusing for me was that there are 2 path directions which are so similar that they are confusing:

1. the AppData direction
2. the User \ MyUser direction
   During installation, SketchUp creates directories for both directions as shown in the screenshot. Well, I assumed that it didn't matter which path direction I chose as long as I tell SketchUp to use the correct path under Preferences > Materials.

Of course, I noticed myself that SketchUp's default installation direction is the AppData direction; I would prefer the User direction, which has to do with the fact that I have to create directories for a lot of employees, among other things. I am responsible for maintaining the material libraries and I have admin rights to the MyUser path, but not to the AppData direction for reasons beyond my control.

maybe I'm completely on the wrong track with my "MyUser"-direction choice?

[Rich O Brien]

Why not use the Preferences to decide external library location?

[HornOxx]

@Rich-O-Brien
thank you for this useful and correct advice for most people.
We, on the other hand, are decentralised across Europe and many other countries and do not share a common server drives at the moment.
Another very important point is that various material pallets relate to specific product lines which may only be used in certain countries. This allows me to better delegate responsibility, maintenance and fine tuning for use to the users themselves...