Move VRChat Avatar/World cache to different drive (SOLVED)

[Primu]

My main drive that has my Windows installation is an SSD with only 250gb capacity. VRChat caches avatar/world data to AppData, this is an issue for small drives as VRChat's cache can be >50gb after a while.

Edit: I've removed the directory junction solution here as the devs have finally implemented the ability to move the cache directory. I'll keep the instructions for removing my directory junction solution below.

See here for new official solution: https://docs.vrchat.com/docs/vrchat-202032p5
Thanks to the devs for getting around to implementing this!


If you followed my previous instructions for moving the VRChat directory, remove the directory junction by:

#1: Simply navigate to the LocalLow directory: %UserProfile%\AppData\LocalLow and delete the VRChat folder if it has a little shortcut icon on it.

#2: Move your copied VRChat folder (Eg. D:\VRChat) back to the AppData\LocalLow folder.


The new solution requires you to:

#1: Create the file "config.json" in the folder: AppData\LocalLow\VRChat\VRChat

#2: Open this config.json file in a text editor, and add the following:
{
"cache_directory" : "D:/VRChatCache/"
}

Where "D:/VRChatCache/" is the directory you wish to be used for the cache.

[Pte Jack]

The first thing you have to do is create a steam library folder on your other drive through the Steam Client Settings (Downloads Tab). This folder can't be in a system protected folder like Program Files (x86).

I created a folder on my D Drive called SteamLibrary using the tool.

Once that folder is created and steam can access it, if you right click on VRChat and go to properites, Local Files Tab, You'll see an option to move the install folder. Click that and the program will give you a list of other library folders you can move the program to. (D:\SteamLibrary in my case).

Select the folder you want to move the game to (if you've set up more than one) and click move files.

Steam will move the install to the other folder and voila, your game is moved without having to uninstall and reinstall it. (This works for most steam games and software)

[Primu]

That only moves the installation directory.

I already have VRChat installed on a different drive, but there doesn't seem to be any way of changing where it saves cache files to (AppData\LocalLow\VRChat).

I could delete everything cached to free up space, but then I'd just be re-downloading everything and it'll be the same problem again in a few weeks.

They need to implement an option to save cached files to the local installation folder.

I suppose another option is extract the asset bundles from the cache files and move them to the StreamingAssets directory, though I've not yet tested this.

[Pte Jack]

I understand now, unfortunately I don't see any config files that will allow you to change cache folders. Might be something to ask for in the features request.

[Primu]

Edit: Moved to first post so people don't have to scroll down here to find the solution.

[Alex]

@Primu idk if it worked correctly...

I did the CMD method and it successfully linked I think.

But I play the game and go back to my files to check it. VRChat is back in the Appdata Directory with that little shortcut icon next to it, but when I click it my top URL bar thingy in the file explorer says "Username\Appdata\LocalLow\VRChat\" and stuff. is this just a visual thing and did it actually link?

[Primu]

Yes it's suppose to show like that, it's not a shortcut, it's a link.

The directory structure is retained so that applications can access those directories without knowing the actual location of it. But the physical location of the files is wherever you set the target of the link to.

[Alex]

That's really useful. I also used this for TrackMania United so I can save cars and tracks and stuff in another directory.

[Tekno]

Hey I just wanted to say that Primu's solution is really great and solved my problem. Literally my game crashed when the cache filled my entire C drive, and now it's linked to much larger drive

[Wubziz]

Hello, I also stumbled upon the problem with the cache since my C drive only is 128GB(!) big and I've ran out of storage on that one pretty pretty fast. I used the program told from Primu:"Link Shell Extension" and it worked pretty easy and pretty damn fine!

[Umbie]

Primu, +1 for the excellent reply. Solved my problem so simply!

[Primu]

I'm surprised this is still a problem a year later.

I'd have expected the devs to implement a proper solution by now, it would only take a few minutes of their time to implement an option to change the directory where assets are saved.

[ILOVEMONEY2004]

whenever I do the CMD way, I keep getting "The syntax of the command is wrong" I tried typing it in, copy and pasting, with no luck.

[ILOVEMONEY2004]

nevermind, problem solved. You had to use quotes ("") around the drives. e.g /J "C:\Users\Name\AppData\LocalLow\VRChat" "D:\Games\steamapps\common\VRChat\VRChat"

[axi]

When I do it with link shell I get that the ''cant create junction Destination is a subdirectory of the source''

[Oren]

Originally posted by Primu:

I found a solution using a directory junction (similar to symlink)

#1: Copy the LocalLow\VRChat directory to where you want the new location to be, Eg. D:\Games\steamapps\common\VRChat\VRChat

#2: Delete the original LocalLow\VRChat directory.

#3: Run command prompt (as admin) and type the following command:
mklink /J C:\Users\Name\AppData\LocalLow\VRChat D:\Games\steamapps\common\VRChat\VRChat

Now whenever VRChat wants to throw something into the appdata, it'll be redirected to the linked folder.

You can do the same thing with an application called Link Shell Extension, install it if you need something more user friendly, instructions:
#1: Same as above step 1, copy the LocalLow\VRChat directly to wherever you want the new location to be.
#2: Same as above step 2, delete original.
#3: Right-click the VRChat folder that you moved and select "Pick Link Source".
#4: Navigate to AppData, right-click LocalLow and select "Drop As..." > "Junction".

If you want to later revert the change, right-click the new LocalLow\VRChat folder, then select Properties, click the Link Properties tab and delete the Target field. Then copy the VRChat folder back to the LocalLow directory.

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