Top 10 Solutions to Clear Cache on Windows 10

If you’re looking to clear cache, Windows 10 has more than a single option. The different methods cover different types of cache available in your system. Ergo, it would be right for you to learn about these methods.

What is a cache? How is clearing cache important? Can you boost your system’s performance? How can you clear cache on Windows 10? All the questions are answered below. This is a thorough guide to help you with Windows 10 Clear Cache requirements.

What Is A Cache On Windows 10?

A cache in Windows helps the system run faster. There are different caches available. Some of these, like the BIOS cache, store essential information. It is not a good idea to mess with them as it can reset the settings of your system.

Apart from storing small bits of essential information, the cache also works as a booster. It works as a memory booster to reduce the toll on the processor or RAM. There are different caches that store different data, but the purpose is the same. It helps with loading the data faster.

For example, your web browser’s cache helps in revisiting the sites faster. That’s why the websites take slightly longer the first time. Whenever you visit the second time, it will load faster as some of the elements are in the cache for it to load.

A cache eliminates the need for your system to search, download and process the data. As it already has the data, all it needs to do is process it. If you have a high-end system, these tweaks won’t be noticeable easily. But, in the long run, they do make a significant impact.

A cache can be both hardware or software-oriented. But, it is not the same as the storage of your device because it doesn’t hold excessive data. It just helps your PC respond faster to requests you’ve made before.

A lot of cached data might be temporary. You can delete most of the cached data whenever you want. Windows itself also clears out cached data for the day if they are not relevant for future use. Yet, it might be a good idea to know how to clear the cache on Windows by yourself.

The Need To Clear The Cache On Windows

Indeed, Windows takes care of most of the non-essential cache data, but not all. The data stored in the cache is temporary. You can always reload it by visiting the same websites, using the same apps, programs, or games.

Yes, storing cache can help your system respond faster. These slight tweaks can be fantastic. But, excessive cache data can lead to a lot of problems. As mentioned earlier, if you have a high-end PC, you won’t notice most of this.

Similarly, if you have a low-end PC, storing too much cache data can lead to problems. It can consume the storage space, and RAM to make unnecessary processes. In the long run, it will slow down your system.

The excessive cache can also hinder the boot process and startups. It can interfere with other programs or tasks. If the cache remains stored for a longer time, it could prevent newer cache data. Thus, the conflict in data can lead to system errors, even BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death).

Many other issues can also branch out from storing cache for the long term. It is especially true for cache that is not in use too much. Your system files may undergo corruption. In short, storing cache data for too long can result in a performance decline.

Hence, it is a good idea for users to clear cache once in a while, if not regularly. Weekly clearing cache is a wise decision.

Solutions To Clear Cache In Windows 10

• Clear Temporary Files
• The Disk Cleanup Tool
• Cleaning Windows Store Cache
• Clear Browser Cache
• Clear Cache For File Explorer
• Clear System Restore Cache
• Clear DNS Cache
• Clear Location Cache In Windows 10
• Prefetch Files Cache In Windows 10
• Use A Third-Party Tool

How To Clear Cache In Windows 10

Now that you understand the importance of clearing the cache, there’s no reason to delay. Remember that there are different kinds of caches in the Windows Operating System. Thus, you will have to clear these one at a time, manually.

1. Clear Temporary Files

Temporary Files get stored almost regularly in the cache. Some get deleted, but a lot of them linger around. Many tech experts also give you this clear cache as a hack to boost your system.

There are two ways for you to clear temporary files from your system.

• Visit the File Directory –  C:\Users\Admin\AppData\Local\Temp. This is where you will find all the temporary files to delete them. Remember, the disk drive name will change (From C to D, or anything) if you have Operating System in a different drive.  You can select all these temporary files and delete them.

• You can also use the Windows + R key to launch the RUN tool. Type ‘%temp%’ and click on OK. This will also launch the temp folder that contains these files. You can go ahead and delete these.

Apart from the two methods, you can also use Windows Settings. It will clear the System Cache with the temporary files:

• Go to the Start Button (Windows Logo) and right-click on it. You will open a settings menu. Click on System. 

• Click on the ‘Storage’ option in the left panel.

• Once you open it, there will be a ‘Storage Sense’ option. Toggle it On. You can also click on ‘Configure Storage Sense Or Run It Now.’ This will give you access to settings for Storage Sense and you can clean the files immediately. 

• Scroll down and you will find a ‘Clean Now’ option. Click on it to let the tool start scanning your hard drive and system. It will soon give you all the information on the files. You can select the ones you want to delete then.

Make sure to understand the file you’re about to delete before clicking on the ‘Remove file’ option. 

2. The Disk Cleanup Tool

Disk Cleanup is one of the best tools for storage and memory maintenance on your system. Windows 10 has significantly improved the Disk Cleanup tool. It will help you clear up the system cache and also delete unnecessary or unused files from your system.

• Go to the Search Bar and type ‘Disk Cleanup.’ This will show you the result. Click on it to open it.

• Once you launch Disk Cleanup, you can select the drive partition you want to scan. You can select all, or do one by one. Remember, the scan will take time.

• Once you click OK, it will start scanning the drive. It won’t automatically clear all the files. After the scan, you will receive the list of files. You can go ahead and delete the ones you find unnecessary.
• You can also use Disk Cleanup for system cache files. Click on ‘Clean up System files.’ This will launch a system cache scan and clean up. You will have to click OK and clear all the files detected.

3. Cleaning Windows Store Cache

Windows Store is a Microsoft App store for your computer. It allows you to search and download applications. But, it will also create temporary files to store data of the apps it has downloaded. If you ever run into any Windows Store error, your Windows Store Cache might be the culprit.

• Launch the RUN tool, again. Press Windows Key + R.

• Type ‘wsreset.exe’ and press enter or click OK. You might have to run as an administrator.  You can also go to C:/Windows/System32 and find WSReset there.

• This will launch the Command Prompt. You don’t have to do anything, the process is in order.
• Once Windows Store Cache gets removed, the command prompt will close. Windows Store will relaunch for you.

4. Clear Browser Cache

If you use your PC or Laptop to browse the internet a lot, it’s time for you to clear Browser Cache. It stores a lot of cached files and cookies. Each browser, from Google Chrome to Edge or Brave, does it. Of course, Brave eliminates advertisements, but the cache is important.

You will have to follow similar steps to almost every web browser:

• Open your Web Browser and go to the History (Usually, CTRL + H works to open the history).

• You will find the Clear Browsing Data option there. Once you click on it, it might ask you how much browsing data you want to clear.
• You can select the entire time frame to clear browsing data. This will clear all the caches images, files, and other data. You can redownload and reload it later whenever you visit the website.

• Once done, select the Clear Data button. This will clear your browser cache.
• Let it take its sweet time.

This option is available for almost every web browser. If you are unsure about your web browser, you can go to the official support page to find it

5. Clear Cache For File Explorer

File Explorer is the best way to access all the cached files in your system. As you can see in most methods, you can access File Explorer to clear the specific cache. Apart from the temporary files, there are other kinds of cached data you can clear in File Explorer.

Make sure to change the view settings to show hidden items before you begin.

Here is a list of different types of caches you can clear in File Explorer:

Windows Thumbnail Cache:

• Go to C:/Users/Username/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/Explorer. The username will get replaced with whatever name you have for the user. In the explorer folder, you can find files with ‘thumbcache’ name and delete them.

Windows Icon Cache:

• Go To –  C:/Users/Username/AppData/Local
• There you will find the ‘IconCache.db’ file. You can delete it.
• You can also go to the Thumbnail Cache’s option (Explorer) and find files with icon cache in the name to delete.

Windows Update Cache:

• Go to C:/Windows/SoftwareDistribution/Download and delete everything there.
• Sometimes, there are also downloads that have already been installed. There is no need for you to have them anymore. You can clear the update cache here.

File Explorer History:

While File Explorer is helping you clear other caches, don’t forget its cache. Yes, it also stores cache data and you can find it by:

• Go to the View option.
• Click on ‘Options’ in the ribbon.

• It will open a window. Click on the ‘General’ tab.

• Click on Clear Button in Privacy Section

6. Clear System Restore Cache

Yes, even your System Restore Point has a cache file that stores data. Often, the restore point uses the maximum disk space possible for system protection. Hence, you can run out of disk space in the long run. If you’re running short on the disk space, delete the older restore points.

• Go to the Search bar and type Restore. It will show you the ‘Create A Restore Point’ option. Click on it.

• Go to the System Protection Tab and find the system drive. Click on Configure Button.

• Click on Delete for the new window that pops up.

You will delete all the restore points. So, you can also manually select and delete each restore point cache in a Windows 10 computer.

7. Clear DNS Cache

Are you having trouble with the internet or browsing? It’s time to clear the cache. Most specifically, the DNS cache.

• Run Command Prompt. Don’t forget to Run As Administrator.
• Type: ‘ipconfig/flushdns.’

• Press Enter

This will clear the DNS cache for you immediately. Nothing else needs to be done.

8. Clear Location Cache In Windows 10

Yes, there are cache files for Location Data in Windows 10, as well. Follow the steps:

• Right-Click on the Start Button.
• Find and click on Settings.
• On a new window, go to ‘Privacy’ settings.

• Find the location in the left panel.

• Scroll down, you will see a clear option on the right panel.

9. Prefetch Files Cache In Windows 10

The prefetch file in Windows 10 is responsible for memory management. It is the collection of the data of your system usage. The older data is irrelevant:

• Right-click on the Windows Icon and launch RUN.
• Type ‘prefetch’ this will open the folder for you.

• You can select and delete all the files, or the older ones.

10. Use A Third-Party Tool

As you can see, there are many different types of cache. Some of these Windows Cache files are unnecessary files. It can be as simple as cached images and files for no reason. Thus, you can delete files manually, using disk cleanup. You might not want to use the command prompt all the time or open run.

That’s where you can use some of the best third-party cleaning tools available. CCleaner and MiniTools have been some of the best in the market. They even have a free version. Though, you should always get trusted tools. You can use these to automate file cleaning.

However, the Smart Cleaner in your Windows 10 Computer can also do the job. 

Frequently Asked Questions