how to move appdata folder to cache

Daniel Parker

3 min read

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06-02-2025

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Many gamers and power users want to optimize their system's performance. One strategy involves moving the AppData folder, which often holds large game files and temporary data, to a separate drive, typically an SSD or a larger HDD. This can significantly improve game loading times and overall system responsiveness. This article will guide you through the process, but proceed with caution: incorrectly moving the AppData folder can cause application instability. Always back up your data before making significant system changes.

Understanding the AppData Folder

The AppData folder is a hidden system folder in Windows. It stores application settings, user profiles, and temporary files. Game installations often store significant amounts of data within subfolders here, including saved games, configuration files, and cache files. Moving this data to a faster drive can make a noticeable difference in performance, especially for games.

Why Move AppData?

• Improved Game Performance: Moving game-related files to a faster drive (like an SSD) drastically reduces loading times. This is because the drive's read/write speeds directly impact how quickly games can access needed assets.
• Free Up Space on the System Drive: The AppData folder can become quite large over time. Moving it frees up valuable space on your primary drive, potentially preventing performance issues related to low disk space.
• Better Organization: Separating user data from the operating system provides better organization and makes it easier to manage and back up your files.

How to Move the AppData Folder (Symbolic Links)

This method uses symbolic links (symlinks) which act as pointers to the new location of your AppData folder. This is generally the safest and recommended method.

1. Backup Your Data: Before starting, back up your AppData folder. This crucial step prevents data loss if something goes wrong. You can copy the entire folder to an external drive.

2. Create the New Folder: Create a new folder on your target drive (e.g., a secondary hard drive or SSD). Name it "AppData". The path will look something like this: D:\AppData (replace D: with your target drive letter).

3. Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for "cmd" in the Start Menu, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."

4. Use the mklink Command: Type the following command, replacing "C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData" with the actual path to your current AppData folder and "D:\AppData" with the path to the new folder you created.

mklink /J "C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData" "D:\AppData"

Press Enter. If successful, you'll see a message confirming the creation of the symbolic link.

5. Verify the Move: Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData. You should see the contents of the folder located on your secondary drive.

Important Considerations:

• System Stability: After moving the folder, restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect properly. Some applications might require a restart to recognize the new location.
• Game Compatibility: While this method works for most applications, some games might not be compatible. If you encounter problems, you may need to revert the changes.
• Permissions: Ensure you have the necessary permissions to create folders and symbolic links on both drives.

Alternative Method: Directly Moving the Folder (Not Recommended)

While possible to directly move the AppData folder, this is strongly discouraged. Many applications hardcode the path to the AppData folder, and directly moving it can break application functionality and cause data loss. The symbolic link method is significantly safer and less prone to errors.

Conclusion

Moving your AppData folder to a separate drive can be a great way to improve game performance and free up space on your system drive. However, it's essential to follow the instructions carefully, back up your data, and understand the potential risks involved. The symbolic link method is the safest approach, ensuring that your applications continue to function correctly while benefiting from improved performance. Always prioritize data safety!