Move Box Drive Cache off SSD with Symlink on Windows 10

Source: ugh82.medium.com

TL;DR

• Article explains how to move Box Drive's cache folder on Windows 10 using symbolic links for large storage needs at MAD TV.
• Default cache at C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\Box\Box\cache with 25GB limit, increased via registry to 300GB then relocated.
• Helps users with TB-scale Box data avoid filling small SSD boot drives like 256GB ones.[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)[[3]](https://pulse.box.com/forums/909778-help-shape-the-future-of-box/suggestions/37070209-box-drive-change-cache-location?page=3&per_page=20)

The story at a glance

Dimitris Moutsatsos from MAD TV shares steps to handle Box Drive's cache on Windows 10 systems with limited boot drive space but large Box storage. They first raise the default 25GB cache limit using a registry edit, then use a symbolic link to move the folder off the SSD. This comes from real-world use with terabytes of files, as the preview shows before the paywall cuts off details.[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)

Key points

• At MAD TV, Box serves as primary storage; Box Drive lets users access cloud files like local network shares.[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)
• Problem 1: Default cache capped at 25GB or 50% of free space (whichever smaller); need more for TBs of data on 256GB SSDs (~100GB free).[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)
• Solution 1: Add MaximumCacheSize DWORD (in GB) under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Box\Box registry key, e.g., 300; restart Box Drive.[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)
• Problem 2 (teased): Even with bigger limit, cache stays on boot drive (C:); full steps use symbolic link to relocate it (paywalled).[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)
• Common method: Exit Box Drive, move cache folder from %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Box\Box, run mklink /D as admin to link to new spot (e.g., D: drive), restart app.[[3]](https://pulse.box.com/forums/909778-help-shape-the-future-of-box/suggestions/37070209-box-drive-change-cache-location?page=3&per_page=20)

Details and context

Box Drive caches opened files locally at C:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\Box\Box\cache for quick access; it's unencrypted and clears on logout or uninstall, but don't edit files there directly.[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)

Official docs cover size/age tweaks via registry but not location changes, as Box doesn't support it natively—hence the symlink hack, reported working by users on forums since 2019.[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)[[3]](https://pulse.box.com/forums/909778-help-shape-the-future-of-box/suggestions/37070209-box-drive-change-cache-location?page=3&per_page=20)

Warning: Needs admin rights; back up cache first; files marked offline ignore size limits until ~2GB free space left.[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)

Key quotes

"Add a new DWORD registry value called MaximumCacheSize under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Box\Box. MaximumCacheSize should be set to an integer value representing the new cache limit in GB (for example, setting MaximumCacheSize’s value to 6 would mean the cache max is 6GB). Quit and re-launch Box Drive after making this change."[[1]](https://ugh82.medium.com/box-drive-change-location-of-cache-folder-windows-10-16c9e81b6193)

— Box Support Docs, quoted in article preview[[2]](https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/360043695894-Technical-Information-for-Box-Drive-Administrators)

Why it matters

Large Box users hit drive space limits fast since cache sticks to C: by design.

This workaround frees SSD space for OS/apps while keeping fast local access to cloud files, key for teams like MAD TV with TBs stored.

Watch Box updates or forums for official support, as symlinks risk breakage on app changes.[[3]](https://pulse.box.com/forums/909778-help-shape-the-future-of-box/suggestions/37070209-box-drive-change-cache-location?page=3&per_page=20)