# Is it safe to delete Unreal Engine’s Zen cache folder?

- URL: https://moreroom.app/folders/unreal-zen
- Item: Unreal Engine Zen cache
- Location: `~/Library/Application Support/Epic/UnrealEngine/Common/Zen`
- Verdict: Review first — Might hold something you care about. Look inside before removing it.
- Comes back on its own: yes
- Typical size: 5–100 GB
- Source: MoreRoom rules catalogue (2026-10-17), by Yando Pte. Ltd.

## What is it?

Recent Unreal Engine 5 versions use a local cache server, Zen, to store derived data such as compiled shaders and cooked assets. Its storage lives in `~/Library/Application Support/Epic/UnrealEngine/Common/Zen`. Typically tens of GB.

## What happens if you delete it?

Zen rebuilds its storage as projects are opened, so the next opening of each project is much slower while data is regenerated. Project files are not affected.

## How to remove it properly

Quit Unreal Editor first and make sure the Zen server (`zenserver`) is no longer running, then move the folder to the Trash in Finder (Go › Go to Folder… `~/Library/Application Support/Epic/UnrealEngine/Common/Zen`).

## Before you delete it

Deleting it while the Zen server runs can corrupt the cache; quit Unreal and wait for the server to stop.