DaVinci Resolve cache files live in different places depending on your operating system and whether you use the free or Studio version

Cache is temporary data DaVinci Resolve creates while you work — thumbnails, preview renders, and intermediate files that speed up playback and editing. Knowing where these files sit matters because they can consume gigabytes of disk space, and you may need to clear them if your drive is full or if Resolve behaves strangely.

The location changes based on whether you run Windows, Mac, or Linux, and whether you store projects locally or on a network drive. Most of the time Resolve manages cache automatically, but understanding the file paths helps you troubleshoot performance issues or reclaim storage space.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, cache typically lives in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\DaVinciResolve, while on Mac it sits in ~/Library/Caches/DaVinciResolve.
  • You can change where Resolve stores cache by opening Preferences, navigating to Project Settings, and pointing to a different folder with more available space.
  • Cache folders can grow to several gigabytes, especially on longer projects or when working with high-resolution footage.
  • Clearing cache from within Resolve (File > Maintenance > Delete Cache) is safer than manually deleting folders, because it removes only what Resolve no longer needs.

Cache location on Windows

On Windows, DaVinci Resolve stores cache in a hidden folder inside your user profile. The full path is C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\DaVinciResolve. Replace [YourUsername] with your actual Windows login name.

The AppData folder is hidden by default. To see it, open File Explorer, click the View tab at the top, and check the box labeled "Hidden items". Then navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\DaVinciResolve. Inside you will find folders named CacheClip, CacheProxyMedia, and others depending on what you have worked on.

If you store projects on a network drive or external disk, Resolve may create additional cache folders on that same drive. Check the project's parent directory if the main cache folder does not contain what you expect.

Cache location on Mac

On Mac, cache lives in your user Library folder at ~/Library/Caches/DaVinciResolve. The tilde (~) represents your home directory. You can reach it by opening Finder, pressing Command+Shift+G, and typing the path directly.

Alternatively, open Finder, click Go in the menu bar, hold Option, and select Library. Then navigate to Caches and look for the DaVinciResolve folder. Inside you will see subfolders for different cache types, similar to the Windows structure.

On newer Macs with Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3), cache location is the same, but Resolve may run through Rosetta translation if you have not yet updated to the native ARM version. The cache path does not change based on which version you run.

Cache location on Linux

On Linux, DaVinci Resolve stores cache in ~/.cache/DaVinciResolve. This follows the XDG Base Directory specification that most Linux applications use. You can view it by opening your file manager and enabling hidden files (usually Ctrl+H), then navigating to .cache in your home directory.

Some Linux distributions place cache elsewhere if you have customized your XDG_CACHE_HOME environment variable. If you have set that variable, Resolve will respect it and store cache there instead. Check your shell configuration file (.bashrc or .zshrc) if the default path does not contain cache.

How to change where cache is stored

By default, Resolve stores cache on the same drive as your operating system. If that drive is running low on space, you can point Resolve to a different location with more room. Open Resolve, go to Preferences (or DaVinci Resolve > Preferences on Mac), then select Project Settings in the left panel.

Look for the section labeled "Disk Cache" or "Cache Location". Click the folder icon next to the current path and select a new destination. You can point it to an external drive, a network location, or any folder where your user account has write permission. Resolve will create the necessary subfolders automatically.

After you change the cache location, Resolve will use the new path for all future projects. Existing cache in the old location will remain there until you manually delete it. You do not need to move old cache files — Resolve will simply rebuild them in the new location as you work.

Clearing cache safely

The safest way to clear cache is through Resolve itself. Open the program, go to File > Maintenance, and select "Delete Cache". Resolve will show you how much space will be freed and ask for confirmation. This method removes only cache that Resolve has marked as safe to delete, so you will not accidentally remove files the program still needs.

You can also manually delete cache folders if Resolve is closed, but this is riskier. If you delete cache while a project is open in memory, Resolve may crash or behave unpredictably. Always close all Resolve windows before manually removing cache folders.

Clearing cache will not affect your projects or media files. Resolve will rebuild cache the next time you open a project, which may take a few minutes depending on how much footage you have. This is normal and expected.

When cache grows too large

Cache can grow quickly on projects with high-resolution video, many effects, or long timelines. A single project can accumulate several gigabytes of cache over time. If your drive is filling up, clearing cache is one of the first things to try before upgrading storage.

You can check how much cache a project is using by looking at the folder size in your file manager. Right-click the DaVinciResolve cache folder, select Properties (Windows) or Get Info (Mac), and note the total size. If it exceeds what you expect, clearing it will free up that space immediately.

If cache keeps growing rapidly even after you clear it, check whether you have proxy media turned on. Proxy files are a type of cache that Resolve creates to speed up editing with high-resolution footage. Disabling proxies or lowering their resolution will slow down playback but reduce cache size significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move cache to a faster drive to improve performance?

Yes. If you have an SSD and your cache is on a slower mechanical drive, moving cache to the SSD can improve playback performance. Use Preferences > Project Settings > Disk Cache to point Resolve to the faster drive. Resolve will rebuild cache there automatically.

What happens if I delete cache while a project is open?

Resolve may crash or lose unsaved work. Always close the program completely before manually deleting cache folders. Using File > Maintenance > Delete Cache from within Resolve is much safer because it only removes cache that is safe to remove.

Does clearing cache delete my project or media files?

No. Cache is temporary data only. Your project file and all media remain untouched. Resolve will rebuild cache the next time you open the project, which takes a few minutes but causes no data loss.

Why is my cache folder so large?

High-resolution video, effects-heavy timelines, and long projects all generate more cache. Proxy media files also count as cache. If size is a problem, try disabling proxies, lowering their resolution, or clearing cache more frequently.

Can I use a network drive for cache?

Yes, but performance will be slower than a local drive. Network cache works for occasional use but is not ideal for real-time editing. A local external SSD is a better choice if your internal drive is full.