How to Clean FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files
Location & Quick Verdict
%AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp, and crash_logs
FreeCAD 3D Modeler writes temporary 3D mesh tessellation files, G-code preview buffers, autosave recovery snapshots, and OpenGL/Direct3D viewport shader caches to %AppData%\FreeCAD.
How Embedded Chromium (Electron / CEF) Caches Bloated FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files
Modern web browsers and desktop apps built on Electron, Chromium Embedded Framework (CEF), or WebView2 run a full browser storage engine inside %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp, and crash_logs. Every inline video preview, animated sticker, PWA offline bundle, and compiled V8 JavaScript script is written into disk-backed Cache_Data, Code Cache, Service Worker CacheStorage, and IndexedDB LevelDB tables without strict disk quotas.
Over months of daily usage, FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files accumulates 1.5 GB – 9.5 GB of expired media blobs and stale Service Worker caches that are never evicted automatically. Clearing these cache subdirectories forces a clean storage state without deleting your saved passwords, active session cookies, bookmarks, or local databases.
# Inspect current disk footprint of FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files (Read-Only)
$target = "$env:APPDATA\FreeCAD\cache, temp,"
Get-ChildItem -Path $target -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum |
Select-Object Count, @{Name="SizeGB";Expression={[math]::Round($_.Sum / 1GB, 2)}}
Manual Cleaning Instructions
- 1 Completely close FreeCAD 3D Modeler and verify no background helper processes remain active in Windows Task Manager.
- 2 Press Windows Key + R, type %AppData%\FreeCAD into the Run dialog, and press Enter.
- 3 Open the Cache, Temp, or Logs subdirectories, select the cached files (Ctrl + A), and press Shift + Delete.
- 4 Relaunch FreeCAD 3D Modeler (or use SWEEPR Cleaner to purge all FreeCAD 3D Modeler cache directories automatically in one click).
Note: If Windows alerts that a file is in use or locked by a background process, close the associated task in Task Manager before deleting, or use SWEEPR Cleaner to release locked handles safely.
Sub-Folders & Cache Locations Breakdown for FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files
Modern Windows applications and system services split their disk footprint across multiple sub-directories (`Cache_Data`, `Service Worker\CacheStorage`, `Code Cache`, `GPUCache`, and `Crashpad\reports`). Review which sub-folders inside FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files are safe to purge and which files remain protected:
| Sub-Folder / Cache Location | Storage Role | Typical Footprint | Deletion Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp,\Cache\Cache_Data | HTTP Disk Cache, Web Bundles & Static Media Chunks | 1.5 GB – 9.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp,\Service Worker\CacheStorage | Offline PWA Assets, Background Sync & Media Blob Storage | 500 MB – 6.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp,\Code Cache\js & wasm | V8 Compiled JavaScript & WebAssembly Bytecode Cache | 250 MB – 2.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp,\GPUCache & DawnCache | Chromium Skia/ANGLE/WebGPU Compiled Shader Cache | 200 MB – 2.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp,\Crashpad\reports | Historical Process Minidump (.dmp) Telemetry Files | 150 MB – 3.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| Cookies, Login Data, Bookmarks & Local Storage (leveldb) | Active Account Sessions, Saved Passwords & User Preferences | Protected | 🔒 Protected — Never Touched |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files?
Yes, 100% safe. Clearing FreeCAD 3D Modeler's temporary render and slice buffers frees 1.2 GB – 8.5 GB of C: drive space while preserving all printer profiles, filament presets, and saved 3D project files.
How much storage space will cleaning FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files free up?
Users typically reclaim 1.5 GB – 9.5 GB on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems depending on update frequency and active cache retention in %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp, and crash_logs.
Will clearing FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files sign me out of my accounts or delete my chat history?
No. Authentication tokens, cookies, and bookmarks live in separate profile files (such as Cookies, Login Data, and Local Storage). Cleaning the cache subfolders inside %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp, and crash_logs only removes temporary media and script caches.
Where is FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files located on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
It is stored at %AppData%\FreeCAD\cache, temp, and crash_logs. You can paste that path directly into the Windows Run dialog (Win + R) or File Explorer address bar to inspect it.
Manual File Explorer vs. 1-Click SWEEPR Cleanup
| Feature | Manual Deletion | SWEEPR Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Locked File Handling | Fails on locked processes | Safe background release |
| Accidental Deletion Risk | Moderate (easy to delete wrong folder) | Zero (strict rules & hashes) |
| Safety Undo Rollback | None (Shift+Del is permanent) | 7-Day Automatic Rollback |
| Time Required | 10–20 minutes per app | < 60 seconds across 40+ areas |
Related Windows Cleanup Guides & Hidden Space Hogs
Clean FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files Automatically
SWEEPR Cleaner safely clears FreeCAD 3D Modeler Cache & Temporary Files along with 40+ other hidden app folders and leftover files in one click—covering up to 5 devices (Windows, Mac, Android & iOS) with a 7-day undo safety net.