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how do I specify or move my cache directory?

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  • Last reply by cor-el

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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)

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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!

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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

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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

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