How To Clear All Cache In Windows 11 And Increase Performance

October 13, 2024 | 5 minutes read |

Windows

Is your computer running slower than usual? Are you running out of disk space? Clearing your system’s cache can help improve performance and free up valuable storage. In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through the process of clearing various types of cache on Windows 10 and 11, all without using any third-party software.

Table Of Contents

Walkthrough Video

Clear Temporary Files

Temporary files can accumulate quickly and take up significant space. Here’s how to remove them:

Press Windows key + R, type “%temp%” (including the percent signs), and hit Enter.
Select all files (Ctrl + A) and press Delete.
If a window appears asking for permission, check “Do this for all current items” and click “Continue.”
Some files may be in use and can’t be deleted. That’s normal – just skip those.

Delete Prefetch Files

Prefetch files help programs load faster but can be safely deleted:

Press Windows key + R, type “prefetch” and press Enter.
Click “Continue” if prompted for administrator permission.
Select all files (Ctrl + A) and press Delete.
If prompted, check “Do this for all current items” and click “Skip” for any files that can’t be deleted.

Clear Microsoft Store Cache

To reset the Microsoft Store app:

Press Windows key + R, type “wsreset.exe” and press Enter.
Wait for the command prompt window to close automatically.

Clear Temporary Files in System Storage

Windows has a built-in tool to clear various temporary files:

Open Settings and search for “Storage settings.”
Click on “Temporary files.”
Select the items you want to remove. It’s safe to select everything except “Downloads” (unless you want to clear your Downloads folder).
Click “Remove files” and confirm.

Use Disk Cleanup

The Disk Cleanup tool can help remove additional unnecessary files:

Search for “Disk Cleanup” in the Start menu and open it.
Select all items in the list and click “Clean up system files.”
In the new list that appears, select all items again.
Click “OK” and then “Delete Files” to confirm.

Clear Location Cache

If you use location services:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location.
Click the “Clear” button next to “Location history.”

Flush DNS Cache

To clear your DNS resolver cache:

Open Command Prompt or Terminal.
Type “ipconfig /flushdns” and press Enter.

Clear Browser Cache

For the three most popular browsers:

Click the three dots on the top right corner > Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
Under “Clear browsing data,” click “Choose what to clear.”
Set “Time range” to “All time” and select only “Cached images and files.”

Click “Clear now.”

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Click the three dots on the top right corner > Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data.
Set “Time range” to “All time” and select only “Cached images and files.”

Click “Clear data.”

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Click the menu icon on the top right corner > History > Clear Recent History.
Set “Time range to clear” to “Everything” and select only “Cache.”

Click “OK.”

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Clear Activity History

To clear your Windows activity history:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Activity History.
Click “Clear” under “Clear activity history.”
Optional: Uncheck “Store my activity history on this device” to prevent future accumulation.

Clear File Explorer Cache

To reset File Explorer’s cache:

Open File Explorer.
Click the three dots > Options.
In the “General” tab, click “Clear” under “Privacy.”

Clear System Restore Cache (Optional)

Warning

This will delete all restore points. Skip this step if you want to keep your restore points.

Search for “Create a restore point” and open it.
Click “Configure” > “Delete” > “Continue.”
Click “Close” > “OK” > “OK.”

Clear Clipboard Cache

To clear copied items from your clipboard:

Search for “Clipboard settings” and open it.
Click “Clear” next to “Clear clipboard data.”

Set Up Storage Sense for Automatic Cleanup

To automate cache clearing in the future:

Go to Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense.
Enable “Keep Windows running smoothly by automatically cleaning up temporary system and app files.”
Turn on “Automatic User content cleanup.”
Configure the options below according to your preferences.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean System:

Regularly run these cleanup processes, perhaps once a month. Use Storage Sense to automate some of the cleanup tasks. Be cautious when deleting files and always ensure you understand what you’re removing. Consider using the built-in Disk Defragmenter (for HDDs) or Optimize Drives (for SSDs) tool to keep your drives running efficiently. Uninstall programs you no longer use to free up additional space.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the amount of unnecessary data on your system, potentially freeing up gigabytes of space and improving your computer’s performance. Remember, while cache files serve a purpose in improving system and application performance, regular cleanup can help maintain a balanced and efficient system.