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Invalidate caches

Last modified: 10 August 2022

IntelliJ IDEA caches a great number of files for all projects that you have ever worked with in this IDE version, therefore the system cache may become overloaded. Sometimes the caches will never be needed again, for example, if you work with frequent short-term projects.

When you invalidate the cache, IntelliJ IDEA removes the cache files for all projects ever run in the current version of the IDE. The files will be recreated the next time you open these projects. The IDE also rebuilds the projects if they are built with the native IntelliJ IDEA builder.

Note the following before you proceed:

  • The caches will not be deleted until you restart IntelliJ IDEA.

  • Opening and closing a project without invalidating the cache does not result in deleting any cached files.

  • Local History is not deleted when you invalidate the cache unless you explicitly enable this option in the Invalidate Caches dialog. However, mind that Local History has a retention period of 5 working days by default.

For details on where various user-specific files are stored, see Directories used by the IDE.