How to Clear Cache in Windows 10

Edited 5 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

Windows 10CacheSystemStorageOptimizationSoftwarePerformanceCleanupTroubleshootingMaintenance

Clearing the cache in Windows 10 can help improve system performance, reclaim hard drive space, and resolve problems caused by old or corrupted files. This comprehensive guide aims to provide detailed instructions on how to clear different types of cache in Windows 10.

What is cache?

Before proceeding with the process of clearing the cache, it is important to understand what a cache is. Cache is a collection of temporary files created by programs and the operating system that help your computer run faster. These files store information that can be accessed quickly instead of loading it from scratch, thereby improving the efficiency of tasks.

Although cache files help speed up processes, they can accumulate over time and use a significant amount of disk space, potentially leading to decreased performance.

Types of cache in Windows 10

Windows 10 uses several types of caches, including:

• Temporary file cache: These are temporary files that applications and the system use temporarily.
• Browser cache: Web browsers store cached files such as images, scripts, and other website data so that they can be loaded faster during subsequent visits.
• System Restore Cache: Windows maintains points in time that can be used to restore the system to a previous state.
• Windows Update cache: Windows Update uses a cache to store update installation files.
• File Explorer cache: This cache includes thumbnail previews and file history data.

Now, let's see step by step how to clear these caches.

Clearing the temporary file cache

Temporary files are one of the biggest sources of cache on a computer. Let's discuss how to delete these files using the Disk Cleanup tool:

1. Open the Start Menu and type "disk cleanup," then press Enter.
2. Select the drive you want to clean up (usually the C: drive) and click OK.
3. The Disk Cleanup utility will calculate how much space you can free up. Wait for the scan to complete.
4. In the Disk Cleanup window, check the boxes next to the file categories you want to delete. The categories typically include temporary files, the Recycle Bin, and system cache files.
5. Click OK and then confirm by clicking "Delete Files" when prompted.

The disk cleanup process may take a few minutes to complete but it will help you reclaim disk space.

Clearing the browser cache

Browsers also store a variety of temporary files. Here's how you can clear the cache in popular web browsers:

Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select “Settings.”
3. Scroll down and click "Privacy and Security."
4. Click "Clear browsing data" under "Privacy and Security."
5. If you want to be absolutely clear, select "All time" from the time range dropdown.
6. Check "Cached images and files".
7. Click “Clear Data” to delete the cache.

Mozilla Firefox

1. Open Mozilla Firefox.
2. Click the hamburger menu (three bars) in the upper right corner and select “Options.”
3. Select "Privacy and Security" from the left sidebar.
4. Under the "Cookies and site data" section, click "Clear data...".
5. Check "Cached Web Content."
6. Click "Clear" to remove the cached files.

Microsoft Edge

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three-dot menu icon in the upper-right corner of the browser and select "Settings."
3. Select the "Privacy, search, and services" section on the left.
4. Under the "Clear browsing data" section, click "Choose what to clear."
5. Select a time range, preferably "All time", and check "Cached images and files".
6. Click "Clear Now" to delete the cache.

Clearing the System Restore Cache

System Restore features can take up a lot of disk space. Here's how you can manage and clean it up:

1. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start Menu.
2. Go to "System" and then click "System Protection" in the left-hand menu.
3. This action opens the "System Properties" dialog box. Under the "System Protection" tab, select your system drive (usually C:), then click "Configure."
4. To clear existing restore points but keep protection enabled, click "Delete."
5. Confirm by clicking "Continue" when prompted.

The space used by System Restore is now freed up, but it's important to note that deleting restore points will prevent system changes from being undone using older restore points.

Clearing the Windows Update Cache

Windows Update maintains its own cache to download future updates faster. If this is causing the problem, you can delete this cache:

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Scroll down in the Services window and find "Windows Update."
3. Right-click on "Windows Update" and select "Stop."
4. Go to File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
5. Select all the files inside the SoftwareDistribution folder and delete them.
6. Go back to the Services window, right-click "Windows Update" again, and select "Start."

After following these steps, the Windows Update cache will be cleared, which could help resolve update issues.

Clearing the File Explorer Cache

The File Explorer cache includes thumbnails and file history. Clearing this cache can help refresh the display of files and folders:

1. Open File Explorer and go to the View tab.
2. Click "Options" on the right side and select "Change folder and search options."
3. Under the “General” tab, click “Clear” next to “Clear File Explorer History” to clear the history cache.
4. To clear the thumbnail cache, open Disk Cleanup as described earlier.
5. In the Disk Cleanup utility, make sure "Thumbnails" is checked.
6. Click OK to clear the thumbnail cache.

Benefits of clearing the cache

Clearing the cache can have several benefits:

• Improved performance: Removing cached files can speed up your computer.
• Reclaim Storage Space: Free up vital disk space by deleting unnecessary files.
• Solution to errors: Outdated or corrupt cache files can cause errors and clearing them may resolve these problems.

Conclusion

Regular maintenance of your computer's cache is crucial for optimal performance and the health of your system. By following the detailed steps mentioned above, you will be able to effectively clear different types of cache in Windows 10. Always remember to restart your computer after performing major cache-clearing operations to make the changes effective.

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