Overview
The CrashPlan app stores a cache of temporary information on your computer, much like a web browser does. This article explains what is contained in your cache files and how this is advantageous to your backup.
How do cache files help my backup?
Caching in the CrashPlan app is all about speed. Caching in one condensed location allows the CrashPlan app to quickly access information about your files in order to speed up the process of your backup, quickly build lists of files available for restore, and track all of the changes to each file in your backup selection.
The cache files are also used to quickly compare the data on your system with the information stored at the destination during a file verification scan, which runs in order to ensure the health of your backup.
What does the CrashPlan app cache?
The CrashPlan app caches information about:
- All of the files selected for backup
- Versions of each file
- Destinations you back up to
- Progress of your backup
- Current backup status
The cache files are used to process your backup and are divided into several files.
| Cache File | Contents |
|---|---|
|
Archive properties status file |
Lists the current properties of the archive, including: size, last completed, next backup, and last archive maintenance. |
|
File to-do queue |
Index of files remaining to be backed up. |
|
The file scan status |
Information on the last time the file selection was scanned. If the CrashPlan app is currently scanning, current progress is stored. |
|
File manifest |
Index of file information for all selected files. |
|
Block manifest |
Index of block information for all selected files. |
|
File version history data |
File and block information for all previous versions of the selected files. |
|
Transaction log |
A log of operations that happened on the archive. |
Where is the cache stored?
The location of the cache directory varies by operating system:
-
Windows:
-
Installed for everyone: C:\ProgramData\CrashPlan\cache
To view this hidden folder, open a file browser and paste the path in the address bar. -
Installed per user: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\<Local|Roaming>\CrashPlan\cache
To view this hidden folder, open a file browser and paste the path in the address bar.
-
Installed for everyone: C:\ProgramData\CrashPlan\cache
-
Mac:
-
Installed for everyone: /Library/Caches/CrashPlan
To view this hidden folder, open the Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and paste the path. -
Installed per user: ~/Library/Caches/CrashPlan
To view this hidden folder, open the Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and paste the path.
-
Installed for everyone: /Library/Caches/CrashPlan
- Linux: /usr/local/crashplan/cache
Clear the cache
Sometimes this cache becomes outdated or gets modified or deleted by another process on your computer. This can cause the CrashPlan app to report inaccurate information about your backup status, the files that are available for restore, and more. In these instances, we advise you to clear your cache in order to resolve the issue.
- Open the CrashPlan app.
- If necessary, sign in to your account.
- Use the keyboard shortcut for your operating system:
- Windows: Ctrl+Shift+C
- Mac: Option+Command+C
-
Linux: Ctrl+Shift+C
The command-line area opens.
- Enter the command that corresponds to your location:
- Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa customers enter
backup.replace 43 - Australia and New Zealand customers, enter
backup.replace 63
- Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa customers enter