DocumentationExperience Cloud KCS

Remove AEM Assets from an AEM Sites program while retaining Dynamic Media

Last update: September 10, 2026

This article explains how to remove the AEM Assets solution from an AEM Sites program in Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service, while ensuring that Dynamic Media features remain available and content is not disrupted.

Description description

Environment

Adobe Experience Manager as a Cloud Service (all versions)

Issue/Symptoms

  • Requirement to remove AEM Assets from an AEM Sites program.
  • Need to retain Dynamic Media functionality after removing AEM Assets.
  • Organizations need to remove the AEM Assets solution from an existing AEM Sites program but continue using Dynamic Media.
  • Advanced DAM features are no longer required, but Dynamic Media capabilities such as image and video delivery, presets, and Smart Crop must remain available.
  • Concern about potential disruption to content, asset references, or Dynamic Media URLs, and whether existing content or Dynamic Media URLs will remain unaffected.
  • No error messages; this is a configuration and feature change that updates the program configuration in Cloud Manager.

Cause

Removing the AEM Assets solution through Cloud Manager updates the program configuration, disabling advanced DAM features while retaining Sites and Dynamic Media functionality. The change is non-destructive and takes effect after the next deployment.

Resolution resolution

Follow the steps below to resolve the issue.

  1. Review your current usage.

    • Confirm with your teams that you do not rely on advanced AEM Assets features such as advanced metadata, complex workflows, Brand Portal integration, or Assets View.
    • Ensure Dynamic Media is already enabled and in use if you want to retain its capabilities.

  2. Sign in to Cloud Manager with an account that has the required permissions to edit program configurations.

  3. Open your AEM Sites program in Cloud Manager.

  4. Click Edit program.

  5. Navigate to the Solutions & Add-ons tab.

  6. Ensure Sites and Dynamic Media are selected.

  7. Deselect Assets (or Assets Prime / Assets Ultimate, as applicable).

  8. Save the changes.

  9. Run the deployment pipeline for the program to apply the configuration changes. The changes take effect after the next deployment.

  10. After deployment, verify that Dynamic Media URLs and features such as image and video delivery, presets, and Smart Crop continue to function as expected.

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