Clear Visual Studio Code cache

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Works with any Linux distroWorks with any Linux distribution that can run bash scripts.

• Linux onlyThis script improves your privacy on Linux
• Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
• Impact: High

  System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: High

  This action improves privacy with high impact when you run the recommended script.

• Bash (Shell script)These changes use Linux system commands to update your settings.
• Sudo/root requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
• Fully reversible

  You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.

  The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview

Unless you have unsaved changes, deleting the cache does not result in data loss ¹. However deleting cached data will lead to a slower initial experience as the files are cached again ¹.

Visual Studio Code does not follow platform conventions for cache directories, but stores them in user data directories instead ².

Folders include Cache, CachedData, Code Cache, GPUCache, CachedExtensions, CachedExtensionVSIXs ^{3 4}.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users.

This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality.

Consider creating a system backup before doing any changes.

Sources

PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

• Provide functionality to delete temporary and cached files that do not affect core functionality · microsoft/vscode. GitHub. github.com. (2022).
  Original: https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/132509
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20221029142053/https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/132509#issuecomment-914576815
• Revisit VS Code folder structure for app data, settings,extensions · Issue #3884 · microsoft/vscode. GitHub. github.com. (2022).
  Original: https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/3884
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20221029142453/https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/3884
• Cache files not stored under appropriate XDG directory · Issue #126182 · microsoft/vscode. GitHub. github.com. (2022).
  Original: https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/126182
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20221029142505/https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues/126182#issue-919877609
• macos - Visual Studio for Mac: Cache Location. Stack Overflow. stackoverflow.com. (2022).
  Original: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/46246437/visual-studio-for-mac-cache-location/66295480
  Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20221029142526/https://stackoverflow.com/questions/46246437/visual-studio-for-mac-cache-location/66295480

Apply Now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script

Download and run the script directly

• No app needed
• Offline usage
• Free
• Open-source

Apply protection

Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Visual Studio Code cache" using script

• ≈ 3 min to complete
• Tools: Web Browser
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 5 instructions

1. 1

   Download

   Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
   Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
2. 2

   Keep the file

   If warned by your browser, keep the file.
3. 3

   Open

   Open the downloaded file.
4. 4

   Exit

   Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
5. 5

   Restart

   Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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• Recommended for most users
• Includes safety checks
• Free
• Open-source
• Popular
• Offline/Online usage

Open privacy.sexy

Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Visual Studio Code cache" using privacy.sexy

• ≈ 3 min to complete
• Tools: privacy.sexy
• Difficulty: Simple
• ≈ 4 instructions

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.

1. 1

   Open or download

   Open or download the desktop application
2. 2

   Choose script

   1. Search for the script name: Clear Visual Studio Code cache
   2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
3. 3

   Run

   Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

   This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge

Apply

Apply changes

# Cache: Global installation (also Snap with --classic)
rm -rfv ~/.config/Code/Cache/*
# Cache: Flatpak installation
rm -rfv ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/Cache/*
# CachedData: Global installation (also Snap with --classic)
rm -rfv ~/.config/Code/CachedData/*
# CachedData: Flatpak installation
rm -rfv ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/CachedData/*
# Code\ Cache: Global installation (also Snap with --classic)
rm -rfv ~/.config/Code/Code\ Cache/*
# Code\ Cache: Flatpak installation
rm -rfv ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/Code\ Cache/*
# GPUCache: Global installation (also Snap with --classic)
rm -rfv ~/.config/Code/GPUCache/*
# GPUCache: Flatpak installation
rm -rfv ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/GPUCache/*
# CachedExtensions: Global installation (also Snap with --classic)
rm -rfv ~/.config/Code/CachedExtensions/*
# CachedExtensions: Flatpak installation
rm -rfv ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/CachedExtensions/*
# CachedExtensionVSIXs: Global installation (also Snap with --classic)
rm -rfv ~/.config/Code/CachedExtensionVSIXs/*
# CachedExtensionVSIXs: Flatpak installation
rm -rfv ~/.var/app/com.visualstudio.code/config/Code/CachedExtensionVSIXs/*

Revert

Restore changes

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Help

How to apply or restore "Clear Visual Studio Code cache" using commands

• ≈ 2 min to complete
• Tools: Terminal
• Difficulty: Medium
• ≈ 3 instructions

1. 1

   Open terminal

   Open your terminal application.
2. 2

   Copy code

   Copy the code:

   Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
3. 3

   Paste & run

   Paste the commands into terminal application and press Enter to run.

   Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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About the Creators

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

• 

  undergroundwires

  • Certified security professional
  • 7+ years experience securing banks
  • Open-source developer since 2005
  • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
• Open-Source Contributors

  • Hundreds across the globe
  • Testers, reviewers, developers
  • Companies, military agencies
  • Community since 2017

About Us

Reviewed By

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

• Expert review by undergroundwires

  • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
  • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

• Public review by large community

  • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
  • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process