What is AppData?
Application Data
AppData contains application settings, user preferences, caches, and temporary files that programs create and use during operation.
Hidden Storage
These directories are usually hidden from users but can grow enormous - sometimes taking 50-200GB without you knowing.
Regenerable Content
Most AppData content is regenerable - caches, logs, and temporary files can be safely deleted as apps will recreate them.
AppData Locations by Platform
Each operating system stores application data in different locations:
Windows AppData Locations
Roaming AppData
%APPDATA%
Full path: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming
Contains: User settings, configurations that sync between devices
Safe to clean: ⚠ Be selective - contains important settings
Local AppData
%LOCALAPPDATA%
Full path: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local
Contains: Caches, temp files, local data
Safe to clean: ✓ Most cache and temp folders
LocalLow AppData
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow
Full path: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\LocalLow
Contains: Low-privilege app data (browsers, sandboxed apps)
Safe to clean: ✓ Usually safe to clean
macOS Application Support
Application Support
~/Library/Application Support
Contains: App data, preferences, user-created content
Safe to clean: ⚠ Be selective - may contain important data
Caches
~/Library/Caches
Contains: Application caches, temporary files
Safe to clean: ✓ Usually safe to delete
Logs
~/Library/Logs
Contains: Application logs, crash reports
Safe to clean: ✓ Safe to delete old logs
Preferences
~/Library/Preferences
Contains: Application settings and configurations
Safe to clean: ✗ Don't delete - contains important settings
Linux Data Directories
User Data
~/.local/share
Contains: Application data, user files
Safe to clean: ⚠ Be selective - may contain user data
Cache
~/.cache
Contains: Application caches, temporary files
Safe to clean: ✓ Usually safe to delete
Configuration
~/.config
Contains: Application settings and configurations
Safe to clean: ✗ Don't delete - contains important settings
Dot Files
~/.*
Contains: Hidden config files, logs, caches
Safe to clean: ⚠ Very selective - know what you're deleting
Safe Cleaning Guidelines
Safe to Delete
- Cache folders (named "cache", "tmp", "temp")
- Log files older than 30 days
- Crash dump files
- Browser cache and temp files
- Download folders from updaters
- Backup files from uninstallers
Delete with Caution
- Application data folders (may contain user content)
- Recently modified files
- Folders with important-sounding names
- Anything related to licenses or authentication
- Game saves and user-created content
Never Delete
- Configuration files and settings
- License files and activation data
- User-created content (documents, saves)
- Extension and plugin data
- Encryption keys and certificates
- System-critical application data
Common AppData Bloat Sources
These applications are known for creating large AppData folders:
Adobe CC
MS Office
VS Code
Automate AppData Cleaning with DevNullifier
Manually cleaning AppData is risky and time-consuming. DevNullifier knows exactly what's safe to delete and what to preserve across all platforms.
