Frequently asked question

Why is a cached service folder with a timestamp created after overwriting the original cached map service?

Last Published: October 1, 2025
This folder is created by ArcGIS for Server when an existing cached map service is overwritten. It is a backup of the original cached service with the following naming format: <service>_<timestamp>
ArcGIS for Server creates this cache folder by default.

[O-Image]

This option can be changed by modifying the Caching options in the Service Editor to either update the cache manually or automatically. This is described in Step 5 of the following documentation: ArcGIS for Server: Overwriting a service in ArcGIS for Desktop.
 
Note:
Because the original cached map service is generated as a backup, the available space on the drive where the cache is located can grow exponentially. This can lead to performance issues if there is insufficient space on the drive and especially if the ‘argiscache’ folder is located on the system drive (C:). Take this into consideration when selecting the appropriate option to update the cache.

Article ID: 000012859

Software:
  • ArcGIS Server

Get support with AI

Resolve your issue quickly with the Esri Support AI Chatbot.

Start chatting now

Related Information

Discover more on this topic

Get help from ArcGIS experts

Contact technical support

Start chatting now

Go to download options