Bypass destaging of decrement reference count operations with delta log based architecture

A system comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more memories comprising code stored thereon that, when executed, performs a method of comprising:
• determining that an inactive decref (decrement reference count) MDL (metadata log) of decref MD (metadata) updates stored in memory is unable to be destaged to a decref tier of non-volatile storage in a first destage phase of a two phase destage process;
• and
• responsive to determining that the inactive decref MDL is unable to be destaged to the decref tier, performing bypass destage processing of the inactive decref MDL, wherein said bypass destage processing includes directly applying MD updates of the inactive decref MDL to corresponding MD pages stored persistently in a MD page store and wherein said bypass destage processing omits storing the inactive decref MDL on the decref tier.