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1GB hidden cache folder - mac

  • 1 reply
  • 1 has this problem
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  • Last reply by christ1

harrisal
harrisal
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CCleaner finds ~1GB in /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile/Cache

The contents of this Profiles folder are normally hidden, but if I unhide them, I see lots of folders and files in the [my default profile] folder. In there, the "Cache" folder has ~1GB of files with all dates in 2017 (there is also a "Cache2" folder that seems to have recent files). In TB, cache is limited to 350MB, which is about what the "Cache2" folder is, but that clearly is not affecting the contents of the "Cache" folder.

Question: I am guessing that my TB is using the Cache2 folder for its cache (is this the normal place for the TB cache?] - since the "Cache" folder with the 2017 dates is very large, I'd like to get rid of it if there are no negative consequences. Is that OK, even though it is in the [my default profile] folder in this location?

Note: I would probably not let CCleaner do this, out of an abundance of caution. Running TB 60.5.3.

Thanks

CCleaner finds ~1GB in /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile/Cache The contents of this Profiles folder are normally hidden, but if I unhide them, I see lots of folders and files in the [my default profile] folder. In there, the "Cache" folder has ~1GB of files with all dates in 2017 (there is also a "Cache2" folder that seems to have recent files). In TB, cache is limited to 350MB, which is about what the "Cache2" folder is, but that clearly is not affecting the contents of the "Cache" folder. Question: I am guessing that my TB is using the Cache2 folder for its cache (is this the normal place for the TB cache?] - since the "Cache" folder with the 2017 dates is very large, I'd like to get rid of it if there are no negative consequences. Is that OK, even though it is in the [my default profile] folder in this location? Note: I would probably not let CCleaner do this, out of an abundance of caution. Running TB 60.5.3. Thanks

Chosen solution

I am guessing that my TB is using the Cache2 folder for its cache

Correct.

1GB in /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile/Cache. (is this the normal place for the TB cache?]

I'm not using a Mac, so I don't know for sure. However, the idea is to create the cache outside of the Thunderbird profile folder, so that the cache folder isn't backed up along with the profile. Otherwise your profile backup would take a whole lot more space.

since the "Cache" folder with the 2017 dates is very large, I'd like to get rid of it if there are no negative consequences. Is that OK, even though it is in the [my default profile] folder in this location?

You can safely delete the folder /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile/Cache while Thunderbird is closed. You should keep 'Cache2' though.

Note, the folder /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile] is not your actual Thunderbird profile folder. See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Mac_OS_X

Also, it isn't recommended to let CCleaner mess with the Thunderbird profile. If desired, you can clean the cache via the Thunderbird GUI.

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christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

I am guessing that my TB is using the Cache2 folder for its cache

Correct.

1GB in /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile/Cache. (is this the normal place for the TB cache?]

I'm not using a Mac, so I don't know for sure. However, the idea is to create the cache outside of the Thunderbird profile folder, so that the cache folder isn't backed up along with the profile. Otherwise your profile backup would take a whole lot more space.

since the "Cache" folder with the 2017 dates is very large, I'd like to get rid of it if there are no negative consequences. Is that OK, even though it is in the [my default profile] folder in this location?

You can safely delete the folder /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile/Cache while Thunderbird is closed. You should keep 'Cache2' though.

Note, the folder /users/[me]/Library/Caches/Thunderbird/Profiles/[my default profile] is not your actual Thunderbird profile folder. See http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Thunderbird#Mac_OS_X

Also, it isn't recommended to let CCleaner mess with the Thunderbird profile. If desired, you can clean the cache via the Thunderbird GUI.