# Large windows temp folder due to builds

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484>\
**Category:** Processing\
**Created:** [June 4, 2021, 4:28am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484 "2021-06-04T04:28:35Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![paulgoux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@paulgoux](https://discourse.processing.org/u/paulgoux)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 4:28am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484/1 "2021-06-04T04:28:35Z")

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I’ve noticed that my temp folder is ballooning in size as I build applications to android, the other day I had no space left on my hdd and had to resort to a fresh install as it was quicker than asking windows to delete the folder. Too many files clog up the delete process for some reason.

Anyways I’m wondering if I can just install processing to a separate disk and have it use that disk to save temp build files. I’ve looked in the preferences however I cannot see any way to achieve this.

Thanks

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**Author:** ![paulgoux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@paulgoux](https://discourse.processing.org/u/paulgoux)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 4:34am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484/2 "2021-06-04T04:34:05Z")

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Woops this has kinda been asked before and it seems theres no way to change the temp folder location.

cc cleaner seems that way to go.

> [@What is the Processing "Temp" folder?](https://discourse.processing.org/t/what-is-the-processing-temp-folder/3097):
>
> Hello, I had an error while building a project in android mode, says the directory contains non ASCII characters. that is correct, the user folder in my windows machine contains non ASCII characters and actually I don’t really want to change it because it feel like a big mess. But I have few questions about this directory. the error is pretty long, but I saw in the beginning: Build folder: C:\Users\7250~1\AppData\Local\Temp\android1653928038104850017sketch (HERE: the temp folder) FAILURE: Bu…

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 10:42am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484/3 "2021-06-04T10:42:04Z")

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> [@paulgoux](#):
>
> Woops this has kinda been asked before and it seems theres no way to change the temp folder location.

I have not tried this:

- The `%temp%` can be moved:  
[https://www.howtogeek.com/285710/how-to-move-windows-temporary-folders-to-another-drive/](https://www.howtogeek.com/285710/how-to-move-windows-temporary-folders-to-another-drive/)  
This may now be in the W10 Settings:  
`> Settings > About > Advanced system settings`  
I have clean this manually.  
It is fun to go in there and see what Processing (and other apps) are doing behind the scenes.  
I have had to go in there and recurrent a crashed Processing file!

I have learned various strategies to manage disk space over the decades on Windows systems:

- Symbolic Links:  
[How to take advantage of symbolic links in Windows 10 | TechRepublic](https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-take-advantage-of-symbolic-links-in-window-10/)  
This has come in handy! [Example](https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/installation-licensing/how-to-move-all-autodesk-folders-to-a-different-drive/m-p/6060269#M123894) that comes to mind from the past.

- This helps me find find the large folders:  
[Find Space Hogs with TreeSize Free | JAM Software](https://www.jam-software.com/treesize_free)

- [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/disk-cleanup-in-windows-10-8a96ff42-5751-39ad-23d6-434b4d5b9a68](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/disk-cleanup-in-windows-10-8a96ff42-5751-39ad-23d6-434b4d5b9a68) \< For routine stuff and to “_Clean up system files_” and “_Windows Update Clean-up_”

- CC Cleaner is on the list also.

- [https://www.howtogeek.com/171432/ram-disks-explained-what-they-are-and-why-you-probably-shouldnt-use-one/](https://www.howtogeek.com/171432/ram-disks-explained-what-they-are-and-why-you-probably-shouldnt-use-one/)  
I found this to be useful in the past for some tasks.

- This is just the short list! I may add later…

`:)`

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 1:41pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484/4 "2021-06-04T13:41:00Z")

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Hello,

Years ago…

I made a custom portable version of Processing:  
_[Folders created during installation - #5 by glv](https://discourse.processing.org/t/folders-created-during-installation/12360/5)_

I may revisit this again with the current build of Processing.

There _ **may** _ be something in there for the temp folder.

Adding this to list above:

- [https://www.howtogeek.com/171432/ram-disks-explained-what-they-are-and-why-you-probably-shouldnt-use-one/](https://www.howtogeek.com/171432/ram-disks-explained-what-they-are-and-why-you-probably-shouldnt-use-one/)  
I found this to be useful in the past for some tasks.

`:)`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![paulgoux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@paulgoux](https://discourse.processing.org/u/paulgoux)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/large-windows-temp-folder-due-to-builds/30484/5 "2021-06-04T16:35:25Z")

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thanks for this, this does seem a bit advanced for me, but I shall take a look, and see what I can understand.