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IntelliJ IDEA Custom Configuration Paths

IntelliJ IDEA allows users to define specific locations for IDE configuration and system data by modifying the idea.properties file^[600-developer__intellij.md]. This customization is useful for managing disk space or maintaining settings across different versions or installations.

Configuration File

The paths are customized by editing the idea.properties file^[600-developer__intellij.md].

Configurable Paths

Two primary path variables can be adjusted to change where the IDE stores specific data^[600-developer__intellij.md]:

  • idea.config.path: Defines the path to the IDE config folder^[600-developer__intellij.md].
  • idea.system.path: Defines the path to the IDE system folder^[600-developer__intellij.md].

Configuration Directory

The default configuration path is usually set to ${user.home}/.IntelliJIdea/config^[600-developer__intellij.md]. To override this, uncomment the idea.config.path property and specify a new directory^[600-developer__intellij.md]. When defining custom paths, ensure you use forward slashes in the path string^[600-developer__intellij.md].

System Directory

The default system path is typically ${user.home}/.IntelliJIdea/system^[600-developer__intellij.md]. This can be changed by setting the idea.system.path property^[600-developer__intellij.md].

Example Configuration

The following example demonstrates how to override the default directories to use a custom installation path^[600-developer__intellij.md]:

#---------------------------------------------------------------------
# Uncomment this option if you want to customize path to IDE config folder. Make sure you're using forward slashes.
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
# idea.config.path=${user.home}/.IntelliJIdea/config
idea.config.path=D:/install/JetBrains/ideaIU-2018.2.2/.IntelliJIdea2018.2/config
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
# Uncomment this option if you want to customize path to IDE system folder. Make sure you're using forward slashes.
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
# idea.system.path=${user.home}/.IntelliJIdea/system
idea.system.path=D:/install/JetBrains/ideaIU-2018.2.2/.IntelliJIdea2018.2/system
#---------------------------------------------------------------------
  • [[IntelliJ IDEA Settings Sync]]
  • [[Configuration Files]]

Sources

  • 600-developer__intellij.md