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General discussion

How do I move IconCache.db to other drive?

Nov 14, 2010 6:31PM PST

The title pretty much sums it up. I need to move IconCache.db from "D:\Users\Michael\AppData\Local\IconCache.db" to "E:\IconCache.db" on my desktop running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit but can't seem to find any info on how to do it around Google. Anyone here know?

Discussion is locked

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Re: iconcache
Nov 14, 2010 6:52PM PST

- Why do you need to do it? Caches are built automatically when needed and should be transparent to any user. No need to transfer them, I think.
- And, just in case you have a good reason to need it, what's wrong with Windows Explorer to copy or even move it?

Kees

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Drive E is a RAM disk.
Nov 14, 2010 7:07PM PST

Would of helped if I had mentioned that in the first post...
And I need it moved to where Windows will use it at it's new location, not move it like make a backup of it. I tried searching the registry for any settings related to "IconCache" but found nothing at all.

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That's not going to work
Nov 14, 2010 7:33PM PST

It's still a mystery why you want to do this, but installing Windows to some other partition will automatically create it's own Icon Cache. In my own limited experience I have never known such things as 'moving system folders and files' from one install to another to work. The Icon Cache created is specific to the new install, and any attempt to replace it is likely to cause considerable problems.

But like I said, why you need to do this with just one folder remains a mystery.

Mark

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Re: iconcache.db
Nov 14, 2010 8:08PM PST

If you can't find it in the registry (I never looked myself, and I won't do either) consider the possibility the file location (your AppData\Local folder) is hardcoded into Explorer. Apparently, Windows considers this as a user dependent file (each user has his own icons, so his own cache); so moving a user-independent location might be a bad idea.

RAM disks are cleared when you do a shutdown. While the icon cache should be saved for better performance of the system. So I wonder if it's a good idea even if you could get it working.
In fact, I think, a RAM disk isn't a very good idea anyway. Windows is quite good in caching data from the hard disk in RAM if it's not needed for a higher priority application. So labelling RAM as "Windows, don't use for caching, I know it better than you" might worsen the performance it stead of bettering it.


Kees

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The RAM Disk is backed up at shutdown
Nov 14, 2010 8:17PM PST

because it holds other files too, currently the Windows Search index and Google Chrome internet cache are also on the RAM disk.
I've been tweaking the Windows operating system for years, so I can guarantee you both I know what I am doing, it is just now that I am working on something I haven't tried before and was wondering if anyone knew an easy way, if not I'm just going to use a junction point.

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I'm starting to wonder...
Nov 14, 2010 8:20PM PST

This is more of a keep my computer running okay than a Windows modifying type of forum isn't it? Seems every time I ask a question on here about changing something in Windows I get replies like "You shouldn't mess around in that folder." or "If it's working okay why bother messing with it?" and so on.

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Yep.
Nov 14, 2010 8:44PM PST

Good to see posters who like to experiment and tweak.

The difficulty here is two-fold. Some of the ideas we see in these forums from those who don't know better can often be called 'suspect' at best. That's the first problem.

The 2nd is lack of details. For example from your original post right up until your, "I've been tweaking the Windows operating system for years", reveal, we had no idea your level of experience, and no clue why you wanted to do this. It's a common failing with posters here, and we are forever seeking further information to help diagnose problems.

As you say, these are problem solving forums, and generally for those with "My xxx doesn't work", (substitute xxx with whatever fails), so it is refreshing to see posts from people who don't mind delving in and trying out new things.

Good luck with your experiments and let us know how you get on.

Mark

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Yep.
Nov 15, 2010 12:04AM PST

You may want to find some MSDN forum where they tear open the OS. There is so little gain from what you noted and I can offer that I can tell because at the office we have this Embedded Windows system that runs completely out of RAM.

Not to say you're not going to get a gain but it looks minuscule.
Bob