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Watch the tutorial
Step 1: Close your projects
Save your work and close every open project, so you end up on the Welcome screen. This matters because the option that wipes the whole cache is only available when no projects are open. If you would like to see how much space you gain, open This PC (or Finder on a Mac) first and note how much free space your drive has. In the video, the C drive had about 58.7 GB free before the cleanup.
Step 2: Open the Media Cache preferences
With the Welcome screen showing, go to Edit > Preferences and choose Media Cache. On a Mac, the menu is Premiere Pro > Settings > Media Cache.
Step 3: Click Delete next to Remove Media Cache Files
In the Media Cache settings you will see where your cache is stored under Media Cache Files, together with a Remove Media Cache Files row. Click the Delete button next to it.
Step 4: Delete all media cache files
A Delete Media Cache Files window opens with two options:
- Delete unused media cache files: removes only cache files for media that can no longer be found.
- Delete all media cache files (requires restart): clears everything and gives you the most space back.
Pick Delete all media cache files and click OK. Premiere Pro closes and restarts by itself while it cleans up. Don't worry, it recreates any cache files it needs the next time you open a project.
Step 5: Check your free space
When Premiere Pro is back on the Welcome screen, look at your drive again. In the video, the free space on the C drive jumped from about 58.7 GB to 126 GB. Your result depends on how long it has been since your last cleanup.
Tips
- Automate it. On the same Media Cache page, set Premiere to automatically delete cache files older than a number of days, or when the cache grows past a size you choose.
- Move the cache. Use Browse next to Location to store the cache on a fast drive with plenty of space.
- Expect a short wait. The first time you open a project after clearing, Premiere rebuilds waveforms and conformed audio, so it may feel slower for a moment.
FAQ
Is it safe to delete the Premiere Pro media cache?
Yes. The cache only holds helper files that Premiere Pro creates from your source media, so your original footage and projects are untouched. Premiere recreates what it needs.
Why is Delete all media cache files greyed out?
It is only available when no projects are open. Close your projects and open the preferences from the Welcome screen.
Where is the Premiere Pro cache stored?
The location is shown at the top of the Media Cache preferences, under Media Cache Files. You can change it with the Browse button.
Now that your drive is clean, fill your next project with great looks. Explore the Ultimate Premiere Pro Presets pack with over 500 presets.
