Encounter AppData Too Big Error? Move It To Another Drive!

User case: the AppData folder is too big!

The AppData (Application Data) folder is a hidden folder found in every user account on a Windows computer. It stores important files that programs need to run, such as settings, temporary files, and cached data. This folder generally has 3 subfolders:

Although many of these files are needed for programs to work properly, some are no longer useful—such as leftover files from deleted apps or old cache. These can take up a lot of space and slow down your computer over time. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean the AppData folder regularly. 

However, you may want to know is it safe to clean the AppData folder? Yes, but you need to be careful. The AppData folder contains important files for programs, and deleting the wrong ones can cause problems, like losing settings or making an app stop working. However, it’s usually safe to delete things like:

To stay safe, it's best to back up important data before cleaning, in case something goes wrong. If you don’t want to delete anything and still want to keep your apps, there’s a shortcut: you can move the installed apps or the AppData folder to another drive with enough space.

How to move the big AppData folder to another drive?

One safe and easy way to move the AppData folder is by using a third-party tool. These tools can automatically handle the folder paths and move multiple folders at once. A good choice is AOMEI Partition Assistant. This is a practical and user-friendly program designed for managing disks and partitions in Windows.

Although it’s best known for partition management, AOMEI Partition Assistant is also great for moving large files between drives without damaging your data. Let’s look at why it’s a good choice:

With AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can safely move the AppData folder and free up space on your C drive—without deleting any files or affecting your apps. Or, you can move apps to external storage if you want to enjoy more space.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant, click “Free up” > “App Mover”.

Step 2. In the new window, click “Move Folder” if you encounter AppData folder too big issue. Or you can click "Move Apps" to transfer the installed programs to another drive.

Step 3. Select the folders you want to move. Choose the location to drive under the window, and click “Move”.

Step 4. You will see a pop-up message to confirm forcibly closing running applications when moving starts. Click "OK" to begin the process.

After the move, if you regret it, you can restore all moved folders by clicking “Manage/Restore” in the window that shows the second step.

Other methods to fix Windows AppData folder too big issue

If you perfer to use Windows built-in tools to fix the AppData folder too big issue, you can follow the 3 methods below:

Way 1. Manually move the big AppData folder

To fix AppData folder too big in Windows PCs, you can also manually move them with using Registry Editor.

Step 1. Create a new folder on the drive you want to save the transferred AppData folder.

Step 2. Press Windows + R to launch the Run box and then type "regedit" in the box. Follow this path:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folder

Step 3. Find the “Personal” option in the right panel, and double-click it.

Step 4. Change the “Value data” to the new location.

Step 5. Reboot the PC.

Way 2. Run Disk Cleanup

Windows has a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that can help you delete temporary files and reduce the size of the AppData folder. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1. Type "disk cleanup" in the Windows search bar and select the Disk Cleanup app from the list.

Step 2. A window will pop up with the C: drive selected by default. Just click OK, and the tool will begin scanning your drive for temporary and unnecessary files.

Step 3. Once the scan is done, you’ll see a list of file types. Scroll down and check the box next to Temporary files. You can also select other files you don’t need. Then, click OK to delete the selected junk files from your AppData folder.

Way 3. Remove useless files

If you prefer full control over what gets deleted, you can manually navigate to the AppData folder and remove files you no longer need. This approach is best suited for advanced users who are familiar with the Windows file structure. Be careful not to delete essential configuration files, which may cause unexpected errors. Here’s how to manually clean up the AppData folder:

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Step 2. Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Temp and press Enter. This takes you directly to the Temp folder inside AppData.

Step 3. Press Ctrl + A to select all files and folders.

Step 4. Right-click and choose Delete, or simply press the Delete key. If you want to permanently remove them without sending them to the Recycle Bin, hold Shift while pressing Delete, then confirm the prompt. Finally, don’t forget to empty your Recycle Bin to fully reclaim disk space.

Conclusion

If your AppData folder too big and it takes up too much space and slowing down your computer, you will find solutions in this passage. While this folder stores essential data for apps, it can also fill up with leftover files and unused cache. There are safe ways to manage it—whether by cleaning up temporary files, manually deleting junk, or using tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant to move it to another drive. Just remember to back up important data before making changes. With the right steps, you can free up space on your C drive and improve your PC’s performance without losing your apps or settings.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7