How to Clean REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks)
Location & Quick Verdict
%AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks and %LocalAppData%\REAPER
Cockos REAPER creates graphical waveform peak files (.reapeaks) for every imported audio stem and sample on your hard drive.
How Timeline Previews, Conform Audio & Render Scratch Fill REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks)
Non-linear video editors (NLEs), streaming encoders, 3D DCC tools, and DAWs continuously write uncompressed audio conform files (.cfa), waveform peak indexes (.pek), proxy transcodes, and frame-accurate undo scratch into %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks and %LocalAppData%\REAPER. Even after you finish exporting and archiving a client project, gigabytes of intermediate timeline render caches remain permanently allocated on your scratch disk.
On 4K/8K timelines or multi-scene streaming setups, REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) routinely consumes 3.0 GB – 25.0 GB of high-speed SSD space. Safely pruning stale media caches reclaims scratch bandwidth immediately; if you ever reopen an older project file, the application simply regenerates audio waveforms and timeline previews in the background.
# Inspect current disk footprint of REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) (Read-Only)
$target = "$env:APPDATA\REAPER\reapeaks"
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 Close REAPER.
- 2 Open %appdata%\REAPER in File Explorer.
- 3 Search for and delete *.reapeaks files in your media and cache directories.
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 REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks)
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 REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) are safe to purge and which files remain protected:
| Sub-Folder / Cache Location | Storage Role | Typical Footprint | Deletion Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks | Primary Media Cache, Proxy Scratch & Render Previews | 3.0 GB – 25.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe (Re-renders on Demand) |
| %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks\Media Cache Files (*.cfa, *.pek) | Conformed Audio Waveforms & Timeline Peak Files | 2.0 GB – 25.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks\GPUCache & Code Cache | Hardware-Accelerated Viewport & UI Plugin Cache | 300 MB – 3.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks\logs & Crashpad\reports | Render Session Logs & Crash Dump Archives (.dmp) | 200 MB – 4.5 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| Project Timelines (.prproj / .drp / .blend) & LUTs | Source Footage, Edit Timelines, Presets & Exported Renders | Protected | 🔒 Protected — Never Touched |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks)?
Yes, 100% safe. Reclaims significant disk space. REAPER will silently regenerate peaks for any active tracks when you open a project.
How much storage space will cleaning REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) free up?
Users typically reclaim 3.0 GB – 25.0 GB on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems depending on update frequency and active cache retention in %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks and %LocalAppData%\REAPER.
Will clearing REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) delete my video projects, drafts, or saved recordings?
No. Project timelines, source media clips, and exported videos are stored in your project folders—not in %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks and %LocalAppData%\REAPER. If you reopen an active project after cleaning, the software automatically rebuilds any needed waveform peaks or preview frames.
Where is REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) located on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
It is stored at %AppData%\REAPER\reapeaks and %LocalAppData%\REAPER. 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 REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) Automatically
SWEEPR Cleaner safely clears REAPER DAW Audio Waveform Peak Files (.reapeaks) 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.