topic Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache? in Desktop (Windows)

How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

kidb — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:38:50 GMT

Windows desktop version. In my preferences, I'm asking Spotify to only show local files from one folder (i.e., personal MP3 files stored on my hard drive). When I view the Local Files, however, it still shows all the files from the previously enabled local folders (subsequently disabled, now only asking to show files from one local folder). I've rebooted and restarted Spotify, but it still shows the local files in the disabled folders. Can I ask Spotify to delete the cache, or can I delete a particular file (or folder contents)? This is probably held in the AppData/Local/Spotify area, but I'd rather not delete files at random in hopes I can find the right ones. Thanks!

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

kidb — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 14:47:37 GMT

I'm using version 1.0.1.1060.gc75ebdfd, by the way. Thanks for any help!

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

MattSuda — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 10:29:29 GMT

Try a clean reinstall of Spotify

First uninstall Spotify and then delete this folder:

C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Spotify

After that reinstall Spotify

If you can't find the folder, try this:

Uninstall Spotify: Start > Control Panel > Programs / Uninstall a Program > Spotify
Find your AppData folder and delete all Spotify data.
Start, run, type: %appdata% and hit enter
You probably see 4 folders; enter each and see if they contain a folder called Spotify. Delete the entire Spotify folder.
Restart your computer at this point.
Reinstall Spotify (download)

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

kidb — Tue, 17 Mar 2015 13:42:33 GMT

OK, thanks. I appreciate the suggestion. If reinstalling the application is the only way to clear the cache, then I don't think this is going to work for me. I need a quicker way to clear the cache (or have Spotify bring back drag-and-drop, which is the way I used to handle this until they downgraded). I make my own MP3 files and I keep adding and deleting them on a daily basis, so I don't want them accumulating forever in the Spotify interface.

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

Omnipotentia — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 03:13:34 GMT

If you're still having this issue, a solution is to:

Close Spotify
Navigate to "C:\Users\#USERNAME#\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Users\" in your file browser.
There should be a folder in the named similarly to "1111111111-user", the numbers will be different, however.
Delete the file named "local-files.bnk"

That should clear out any files that no longer exist in the folders selected in your preferences. Hope this helps.

Alternatively, if you want it to auto-update when a file is removed; you can delete the "local-files-desktop.spa" file from the apps folder located at "C:\Users\#USERNAME#\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Apps"

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

kidb — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 03:19:57 GMT

Omni -- Thank you very much!

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

d00p — Thu, 28 Jan 2016 17:59:31 GMT

If you are using a Mac:

Stop Spotify
open the Terminal application
Execute mv "`mdfind local-files.bnk`" "`mdfind local-files.bnk`.old"
Start Spotify
Done!

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

pedronobrega — Mon, 29 Aug 2016 19:43:14 GMT

hey, i made everything that you said to do... but instead of one roaming file i've got 2 files with the same content ... and i cant delete them
what can i do ?!

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

N-H — Sat, 03 Dec 2016 16:02:18 GMT

Be sure Spotify is not running and then delete the following file. Then launch Spotify again and your local files list should be 'refreshed', listing only the current files you have in the default locations. You will have to re-add any folders you had previously included in the local files directory.

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

Bartsainty — Sat, 03 Jun 2017 22:25:24 GMT

Wow, thank you very much Thomas!

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

jkeinonen — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 11:22:44 GMT

Yes, the solution by Omnipotentia is correct. For me, it was also necessary to restart the PC.

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

Kebable — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:18:57 GMT

If you use Spotify app from Store, then the file is here:
C:\Users\{your username}\AppData\Local\Packages\SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0\LocalState\Spotify\Users\{spotifyusername}

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

kurotsuki — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 17:57:48 GMT

Omnipotentia & d00p: Thanks. That's works.

Spotify devs: Why can't your app detect the changes automatically? Or at the very least, can't you provide a button to clear and regenerate local file list? Such basic operation and users need to hit command line? 🤔

Re: How to clear the "Local Files" cache?

ipengsmart — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 13:27:52 GMT

I dont have spotify folders