How to Reset Your CaptureGem Installation (Clean Reinstall) guide illustration

How to Reset Your CaptureGem Installation (Clean Reinstall)

Sometimes the fastest way to fix persistent CaptureGem weirdness is a clean reset: wipe the config folder so CaptureGem rebuilds it from scratch.

Before you do that, read this carefully — a reset can delete settings, model lists, and (in some setups) videos.

Warning: what a reset can delete

Resetting CaptureGem can:

  • delete your app settings/preferences
  • remove your saved model list
  • clear app data/state
  • delete recorded videos if your output directory lives inside the config folder

If you’re not 100% sure where your videos are, back them up first.

Optional: back up your data first

1) Back up your config.json

Your config.json is the “brain” of your setup.

  • Windows (standard): %LOCALAPPDATA%\\capturegem\\config.json
  • macOS (standard): ~/Library/Application Support/capturegem/config.json

Legacy installs may store config in:

  • Windows (legacy): your original CaptureGem unzip/install folder
  • macOS (legacy): ~/CaptureGem_Data/config.json

Copy config.json somewhere safe (Desktop/Documents).

2) Back up your videos

Go to your current video output directory (check CaptureGem settings) and copy anything important elsewhere.

If you want the default paths, see: /blog/2026-02-27-capturegem-file-locations/

Reset steps (Windows + macOS)

Step 1: fully close CaptureGem

Make sure CaptureGem is actually closed:

  • Windows: check system tray + Task Manager
  • macOS: check menu bar + Activity Monitor

Step 2: find the configuration directory

Standard locations (most common):

  • Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\\capturegem\\
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/capturegem/

Legacy locations (older installs):

  • Windows: your CaptureGem installation/unzip folder
  • macOS: ~/CaptureGem_Data/

Important: if you find both a legacy folder and the standard folder, the legacy folder can take precedence.

Step 3: delete the configuration folder

Delete the whole folder:

  • capturegem (Windows)
  • capturegem (macOS)
  • or CaptureGem_Data (legacy macOS)

Double-check you’re deleting config, not your external video archive.

Step 4: reopen CaptureGem

Launch CaptureGem again — it should recreate a fresh config directory and start from defaults.

After resetting

You’ll need to:

  • reconfigure settings
  • re-add models
  • restore videos (if you moved them)

If you restore your backed-up config.json, do it before opening CaptureGem — but note it can reintroduce whatever problem you were trying to clear.

  • File locations (Windows + macOS): /blog/2026-02-27-capturegem-file-locations/
  • Troubleshooting: /blog/2026-02-27-capturegem-troubleshooting/
  • File locations (Windows + macOS): /blog/2026-02-27-capturegem-file-locations/
  • Proxy Mode (Windows): /blog/2026-02-27-capturegem-proxy-windows/
  • Troubleshooting common issues: /blog/2026-02-27-capturegem-troubleshooting/

Official CaptureGem site: https://www.capturegem.com/

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