Where Does Eclipse Store Workspaces?
Eclipse workspace and .metadata paths on Windows, macOS and Linux, and how to move projects without corrupting settings.
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Eclipse keeps code plus IDE state in a workspace folder with a .metadata child holding preferences, launch configs and plugin caches. The default root is eclipse-workspace in your home directory. Each workspace remembers its own open editors and servers.
Never copy a workspace while Eclipse runs. Use File > Switch Workspace to create clean ones, then import existing projects rather than dragging folders. Back up the whole workspace tree to move settings with sources together. Secure storage passwords re-prompt once after every migration.
Where Eclipse stores this, by platform
C:\Users\[Username]\eclipse-workspace\.metadata
The .eclipse settings folder sits beside it in home. Import projects via File > Import > Existing Projects instead of raw folder copies.
~/eclipse-workspace/.metadata
Same home root as other platforms. The Eclipse.app bundle holds no user state, so reinstalls inherit the same workspace automatically.
~/eclipse-workspace/.metadata
Config also touches ~/.eclipse for secure storage. Keep both trees when migrating, and match the JDK version or builds misbehave.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move Eclipse projects to a new PC?
Copy the workspace folder to the same path with Eclipse closed, then open and let it rebuild indexes. Reinstall matching JDKs and servers before launching old run configs.
Can I delete .metadata to fix Eclipse?
Yes as a last resort with Eclipse closed. You lose preferences and launch configs but imported projects reimport cleanly. Back up the folder first.
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