Abstract: Automated systems and processes for managing paper and/or digital files, particularly medical records contained in digital files, digital or paper file folders and the like, in a file storage system having a finite size or expansion capacity. For paper files, a system tracks the thickness of individual file folders, the capacity of storage shelf sections, and the percentage of free space remaining in each shelf section. When occupied shelf space exceeds a threshold percentage for a shelf section, file folders are purged according to the likelihood that certain files will not be requested in the future, by applying purging algorithms to the files. For digital files, when a cumulative amount of storage space consumed by digital files reaches a certain threshold, typically less than the capacity, digital files are purged from the storage allocation according to an algorithm assessing a likelihood that certain files will not be requested in the future.