Google Chrome, like many other web browsers, keeps some files saved on your computer to help websites load faster. But, these files can use up a lot of space over time. If your computer’s running out of space, or if you just like to keep things tidy, you might want to change where Chrome keeps these files. This guide will show you two ways to do this on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Also see: How to Change Windows Update Download Location
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Why would you want to change the Chrome cache location?
Normally, Google Chrome saves its cache files here on Windows 11/10:
C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache
(Just swap “username” with your own Windows username.) These cache files include things like images and scripts from websites to make them load faster next time you visit.
But, you might want to change where these files are saved for a few reasons:
- The cache can use a lot of space on your main drive. Moving it can free up some room.
- If you have a faster disk, like an SSD, moving the cache there can make Chrome run smoother.
- To reduce wear on your SSD, since cache files are constantly being written and deleted.
- Some folks like to keep their main drive neat and tidy.
- Or, you might want your cache in a more secure spot or somewhere that’s backed up.
Changing where Chrome stores its cache lets you manage your space and data better.
Recommended read: What Files Can You Delete from C: Drive to Free Up Space?
Method 1: Changing Chrome cache location using command line
This first way involves adding a special bit of text to the Chrome shortcut you use to open the browser. You’ll also need to put this text in a specific spot in the Windows Registry Editor.
Step 1: Adding a command line to Chrome’s shortcut properties
Find the Chrome shortcut you use, whether it’s on your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu.
- Desktop shortcut:
- Right-click the Chrome icon on your desktop.
- Choose “Properties”.
- Add this line at the end of the “Target” field:
--disk-cache-dir="E:\ChromeCache"
- It’ll look like this:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disk-cache-dir="E:\ChromeCache"
- Hit “OK” to save your changes.
- Taskbar shortcut:
- Right-click the Chrome icon in your taskbar.
- Then right-click “Google Chrome” in the list and choose “Properties”.
- Do the same thing here, adding the command line to the “Target” field.
- Start menu shortcut:
- Search for Chrome, right-click it, and select “Open file location”.
- Right-click the Chrome shortcut, choose “Properties”, and add the command line just like before.
- Search for Chrome, right-click it, and select “Open file location”.
Step 2: Append the same command line in Registry Editor
Next, we make sure Chrome always uses the new cache spot, no matter how you open it. This step involves adding the same line of text to a specific part of the Windows Registry. Be careful here, as messing with the Registry can cause problems if not done right. It’s a good idea to back up your system first.
- Press the Windows key + R, type “regedit”, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
- Go to:
Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ChromeHTML\shell\open\command
- Right-click the “Default” key, choose “Modify”, and add the command line to the “Value data” field, just like before.
--disk-cache-dir="E:\ChromeCache"
It’ll look like:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --disk-cache-dir="E:\ChromeCache" --single-argument %1
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
Pro tip: How to Copy Chrome User Profile to Another Profile
Step 3: Restart Google Chrome
- Close all open Chrome windows.
- Wait a bit, then open Chrome again.
- Chrome will now use the new cache location you set.
Just remember, these changes only affect the Chrome shortcut you edited. If you use a different shortcut, you’ll need to update that one too.
Method 2: Changing Chrome cache location using symbolic link
This way of changing where Chrome keeps its cache involves a few steps. First, you find where Chrome is currently keeping its cache. Then, you delete this folder. After that, you make a new cache folder where you want it and link Chrome to this new spot. Here’s how to do it:
- Find current Chrome cache folder:
- Start Google Chrome.
- Go to
chrome://versionin the address bar and hit “Enter”. - Look for the “Profile Path” to see where Chrome stores its files. It might look like this:
C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default
- Delete Current Cache Folder:
- Open “My PC” or “File Explorer”.
- Go to the profile path you wrote down before.
- Find the “Cache” folder in the “Default” folder.
- Right-click on the “Cache” folder and choose “Delete”.
- Create New Cache Folder:
- Go to the disk where you’d like to keep Chrome’s cache files.
- Make a new folder for the cache. For instance, make a folder called “ChromeCache” on disk E, which will be:
E:\ChromeCache
- Create Symbolic Link:
- Type “cmd” in the Start menu.
- Right-click on “Command Prompt” and pick “Run as administrator”.
- In Command Prompt, enter this command and hit “Enter”:
mklink /D "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache" "E:\ChromeCache"
Make sure you use the right paths for your computer.
- A link called “Cache” will show up in the “Default” folder, leading to the new cache folder on disk E.
Now, when you use Chrome, it will save its cache files in the new place you picked. This can help if you need to free up some space on your C drive or if you want the cache to be on a quicker disk.
Summing it all up
Changing where Google Chrome’s cache is saved can help you save space on your computer or make the browser work better by using a faster disk for cache files. If you ever want to go back to the original setup after trying Method 1, just get rid of the “–disk-cache-dir” from Chrome’s shortcuts and the registry key.
For Method 2, to go back to how things were, just delete the symbolic link in the “Default” folder, and put the “Cache” folder back where it was. This puts Chrome’s cache back to its default spot. By following these instructions, you can easily choose where Chrome’s cache files go, based on what works best for you.
