---
title: ZEC Using an External Storage
slug: zixi-broadcaster-v18/zec-using-an-external-storage
docTags: 
createdAt: 2024-12-26T18:59:21.673Z
---

Modification of location of the ZECs ‘cache’ directory may be desired to minimize HDD used at the default location for recording streams. The default storage location (C:\Program Files\Zixi\Broadcaster\cache) can be replaced by using a symbolic link.

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The ZEC will need to be in in a Maintenance Window to apply these steps as the service will be turned off and on.
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**To configure an external storage path in windows:**

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On the ZEC Windows machine, stop the ZEC service, by going into the operating system **Services** screen. 
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Double click the ZEC service to open its configuration properties.
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Under the **General** tab, in the **Startup type** drop-down menu, select the **Manual** option.
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Click the **Stop** button and then click **OK**.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/BIpLBzf6b1BFme278VOuZ_image.png" size="40" width="389" height="317" position="center" alt="Stop ZEC with Manual Restart" showCaption="false"}
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Delete the ‘cache’ file located at C:\Program Files\Zixi\Broadcaster\cache. This may require Administrator privileges depending on your environment.
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On the planned new location create your new cache directory. In the example below the directory was created in d:\_Zixi\Bx\cache.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/ndYA_oQg4kJQNSBvnKQcQ_image.png" size="40" width="370" height="146" position="center" alt="Creating the New Cache" showCaption="false"}
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Go into the Windows Command line (cmd) as an Administrator.
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Enter a makelink command to create a new Symbolic link from the original path to the newly created ‘cache’ folder. For example: mklink /D "c:\Program Files\Zixi\Broadcaster\cache" d:\_Zixi\Bx\cache

![Create Symlink to the New Cache](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/mzxtTQEvCNIdUNgF2kuwJ/zlcSJE1_ZGVa7_jFlvup2_image.png)

The newly created symbolic link for cache will be displayed in the following directory - C:\Program Files\Zixi\Broadcaster\\ 
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Go into the operating system **Services** screen.
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Double click the ZEC service to open its configuration properties.
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Under the **General** tab, in the **Startup** type drop-down menu, select the **Automatic** option.
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Click the **Start** button and then click **OK**.
The recording of input streams will be stored in the new directory.
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