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how do I specify or move my cache directory?

  • 4 replies
  • 4 have this problem
  • 334 views
  • Last reply by cor-el

My Cache Directory takes up a lot of space (1.6 GB). I'd like to keep it in a directory separate from my settings so I don't back it up. How can I specify a separate directory?

My Cache Directory takes up a lot of space (1.6 GB). I'd like to keep it in a directory separate from my settings so I don't back it up. How can I specify a separate directory?

Chosen solution

Hi cvbt,

You can do this by creating a new hidden preference.

  • Type about:config into the location bar and press enter
  • Accept the warning message that appears, you will be taken to a list of preferences
  • Right-click somewhere in the list and select "New > String"
  • For the name of the preference type browser.cache.disk.parent_directory
  • For its value type the path to where you want to store the cache
  • Next locate the preference browser.cache.disk.enable, it must be set to true, if it is not, double-click on it to change its value


For more information on this see this article
Hope that helped. Please report back!

Read this answer in context 👍 14

All Replies (4)

Chosen Solution

Hi cvbt,

You can do this by creating a new hidden preference.

  • Type about:config into the location bar and press enter
  • Accept the warning message that appears, you will be taken to a list of preferences
  • Right-click somewhere in the list and select "New > String"
  • For the name of the preference type browser.cache.disk.parent_directory
  • For its value type the path to where you want to store the cache
  • Next locate the preference browser.cache.disk.enable, it must be set to true, if it is not, double-click on it to change its value


For more information on this see this article
Hope that helped. Please report back!

By default, your cache is on a different path from your main settings folder.

Main settings folder is under:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\

Cache folder is under:

C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\

(The above assumes Windows Vista or later)

Modified by jscher2000 - Support Volunteer

Thanks alco. It created a set of directories where I specified. The old cache directory still exists and it is still very big. Any suggestions? Hmmmm; I think I need to check if this is the directory that I keep my FireFox preferences in. I have just upgraded to Win7 and reinstalled FF. This may be an inactive Cache Directory. Yup, that was it. Thanks everyone. I've set up a new clean profile and deleted the old information. It's like riding a brand new bicycle. Happy Thai New Year.

Modified by Geoffrey

You can delete the old cache folder and then Firefox shouldn't be using it.
Make sure that the new cache folder(s) exist.