Over time, your Windows computer can accumulate unnecessary files, slowing down performance and eating up valuable storage space. Clearing cache and temporary files is a quick and easy way to optimize your PC. Follow this step-by-step guide to clear system cache, browser cache, and more on Windows 10 and 11.
Step 1: Clear System Cache
- Open Settings:
- Right-click on the Windows icon and select “Settings”.
- Navigate to Storage:
- Click “System” on the left menu and then scroll down to find “Storage”.
- Analyze Storage:
- Wait for the system to calculate space usage. It will categorize files into “Temporary Files,” “Apps,” and more.
- Remove Temporary Files:
- Select “Temporary Files” and review the categories.
- Uncheck “Downloads” if you want to keep those files.
- Click “Remove Files”, confirm, and let the system clean up.
Step 2: Clear Location Cache
- Go to “Privacy & Security” in Settings.
- Scroll down to “Location” and click it.
- Look for “Location History” and press “Clear”.
Step 3: Clear Microsoft Store Cache
- Open the Windows search bar and type
WSreset
. - Run the command.
- A command prompt will briefly appear, and the Microsoft Store will launch with a cleared cache.
Step 4: Clear Browser Cache
- Open Your Browser:
- Example: Google Chrome.
- Access Settings:
- Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and go to “Settings”.
- Clear Browsing Data:
- Navigate to “Privacy & Security” → “Clear Browsing Data”.
- Choose a time range (select “All Time”).
- Check options like “Browsing History,” “Cookies,” and “Cached Files.”
- Leave “Passwords” unchecked to retain saved login credentials.
- Click “Clear Data” and wait for the process to finish.
Step 5: Manually Delete Temporary Files
- Use Run Command:
- Press Win + R and type
%temp%
. Press Enter.
- Press Win + R and type
- Delete Files:
- Select all files (Ctrl + A), then press Shift + Delete.
- Confirm the deletion and skip files that cannot be deleted.
- Repeat with the “Temp” Folder:
- Open Run again, type
temp
, and repeat the steps above.
- Open Run again, type
Step 6: Clear DNS Cache
- Open the Command Prompt:
- Search for CMD, right-click, and select “Run as Administrator”.
- Type the command: ipconfig /flushdns
- Press Enter. You’ll see a confirmation message: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
Final Step: Restart Your Computer
Restart your PC to ensure all changes take effect. You’ll notice improved speed, freed-up storage, and a smoother experience.
Conclusion
Clearing cache regularly is a great habit to maintain your PC’s performance. These simple steps can make a significant difference in speed and storage. Take a few minutes today and give your Windows computer a fresh start!