---
title: Data Path Is Default
description: Describes what AutoOps detects and surfaces with the Data Path Is Default insight: Elasticsearch is storing data under the default directory inside the installation path.
url: https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/autoops-insights/tree/main/elasticsearch/data_path_is_default
products:
  - Elastic Cloud Enterprise
  - Elastic Cloud Hosted
  - Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes
  - Elasticsearch
applies_to:
  - Elastic Cloud Hosted: Generally available
  - Elastic Cloud on Kubernetes: Generally available
  - Elastic Cloud Enterprise: Generally available
  - Self-managed Elastic deployments: Generally available
---

# Data Path Is Default
Elasticsearch is storing data under the default directory inside the installation path. Upgrades, reinstalls, or removing the install tree can delete indices on that path.
<note>
  For a complete list of insights, refer to [AutoOps insights](https://docs-v3-preview.elastic.dev/elastic/autoops-insights/tree/main/elasticsearch).
</note>


## Insight details


| Field     | Value                       |
|-----------|-----------------------------|
| Component | Elasticsearch               |
| Severity  | Low                         |
| Scope     | Cluster                     |
| Domains   | configuration, disk-storage |


## Example: What you might see in AutoOps

The following is an example of what you might see when this insight is triggered. Real insights use live data and links from your deployment or cluster.

### The data path is set to default


#### What was detected

The data path is default: [ logs-prod-000045 ]

#### Recommendations

<note>
  AutoOps shows different recommendations depending on how their conditions match your deployment or cluster.
</note>

<dropdown title="Set custom data path">
  **Condition**: Always shown for this insight.The default data path can be removed during upgrades. Configure a custom `path.data` location, migrate data if needed, then dismiss this insight.
</dropdown>


#### Background and impact

Impact: When the data path is set to default, there is a high risk of data being deleted while upgrading the cluster to a new version.
By default, the data directory is a subdirectory of the cluster home directory.
This creates a high risk of potentially deleting your data when upgrading ES versions. It’s recommended to define a specific data path to avoid this danger.