How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 PC (A Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow our step-by-step guide to clear cache in Windows 10 and boost your PC’s performance.

If the following questions are what brings you here, then you are in the right place.

• “How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 PC?”
• “How Do I Clear Cache in Windows 10?”
• “How to clear temp files and How to Clear Browser Cache in Windows 10?”.

These questions and more are answered below.

What is Cache?

Cache is an area or type of computer memory in which information that is often in use can be stored temporarily, so that you can get to it quickly.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cache

How to Clear Windows Updates Cache in Windows 10 PC

The download folder is where your Windows Update data is kept and it’s located here: “c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download“.

Once the Windows updates have been installed, the data can be got rid of to make more free space on your C drive.

How to Clear Windows Updates Cache in Windows 10 PC – Method 1

One way to get to the Windows SoftwareDistribution Download subfolder is by following the procedure described below.

1. Click the Windows file Explorer icon located on the taskbar to show the contents of This PC like shown on the picture.
2. Double Click C Drive to see contents of C Drive.
3. Double Click Windows subfolder to see contents of Windows subfolder.
4. Scroll Down to find SoftwareDistribution subfolder.
5. Double Click SoftwareDistribution subfolder to see contents of SoftwareDistribution subfolder.
6. Double Click Download subfolder to see contents of Download subfolder.
7. Select All the files in this download folder.
8. Press ” DELETE ” on the keyboard to delete all the selected files.
9. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the contents to free up space.

How to Clear Windows Updates Cache in Windows 10 PC – Method 2

Another way to get to the Windows SoftwareDistribution Download subfolder is as follows:

1. Type the following command in the search bar on the left of the taskbar.
2. ” c:\windows\softwaredistribution\download ” and press enter on the keyboard
3. Select All files by pressing ” Ctrl + A ” simultaneously (at the same time).
4. Right Click and select properties to see how much space the files are taking on your hard disk drive.
5. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files and folders. (Click Continue to proceed).
6. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the contents to free up space.

How to clear app cache in Windows 10

The following procedure shows you how to clear app cache in Windows 10.

Clearing Current user Local AppData temp files – Method 1

1. Type ” %temp% ” in the search bar next to the Windows icon (left of the taskbar area).
2. Press Enter to go to the Current user Local AppData temp files folder (shown in the picture below).

1. Select All files by pressing ” Ctrl + A ” simultaneously (at the same time).
2. Right Click and select properties to see how much space the files are taking on your hard disk drive.
3. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files.
4. Files that are open will not be deleted, so select skip (see picture).
5. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the deleted contents to free up space.

How to clear cache in Windows 10 using Run

The following procedure shows you how to clear cache in Windows 10 using run.

Clearing Current user Local AppData temp files – Method 2

Method 2 can be described as ” How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 using Run ” Command

1. Right Click on the Windows Start icon on screen and select Run.
2. Type ” %temp% ” in the open command bar.
3. Press Enter to open Current user Local AppData temp files folder (shown in the picture below).
4. Select All files by pressing Ctrl + A simultaneously (at the same time).
5. Right Click and select properties to see how much space the files are taking on your hard disk drive.
6. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files.
7. Files that are open will not be deleted, so select skip  (see picture).
8. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the deleted contents to free up space.

How to clear temp files in Windows 10 – Clearing Windows temp files Folder

How to clear temp files in Windows 10 – Method 1

1. Type ” C:\windows\temp ” in the search bar next to the Windows icon
2. Press Enter to open Windows temp files folder (It may say you don’t, have permission, just click continue.)
3. Select All files by pressing ” Ctrl + A ” simultaneously (without the ” “).
4. Right Click and select properties to see how much space the files are taking on your hard disk drive.
5. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files.
6. Files that are open or in use will not be deleted, so select skip.
7. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the deleted contents to free up space.

How to clear temp files in Windows 10 – Method 2

Method 2 described here falls under ” How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 using Run ” topic

1. Press the ” Windows icon key on your Keyboard + R ” simultaneously (without the ” “).
2. This opens the Run box.
3. Then type ” temp ” in the run box and press Enter key. (It may say you don’t, have permission, just click continue.)
4. the C:\windows\temp folder opens and shows the windows temporary files.
5. Select All files by pressing ” Ctrl + A ” simultaneously (without the ” “).
6. Right Click and select properties to see how much space all the selected files are taking on your hard disk drive.
7. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files.
8. Files that are open or in use will not be deleted, so select skip.
9. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the deleted contents to free up space.

How to Clear files in the Windows Prefetch folder Windows 10

Method 1 – Clearing files in the Windows Prefetch folder

1. You can also use ” Windows icon key on your Keyboard + R ” simultaneously (without the ” “).
2. This opens the Run box.
3. Then type ” Prefetch ” in the run box and press Enter key.
4. (It may say you don’t currently have permission to access this folder, just click continue.)
5. the ” C:\windows\prefetch ” folder opens and show the windows prefetch files.
6. Right Click and select properties to see how much space the files are taking on your hard disk drive.
7. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files.
8. Files that are open or in use will not be deleted, so select skip.
9. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the deleted contents to free up space.

Method 2 – Clearing files in the Windows Prefetch folder

The other way of getting to the Windows Prefetch folder is by

1. Type ” C:\windows\prefetch ” in the search bar and press Enter key.
2. (It may say you don’t currently have permission to access this folder, just click continue.)
3. the ” C:\windows\prefetch ” folder opens and show the windows prefetch files.
4. Right Click and select properties to see how much space the files are taking on your hard disk drive.
5. While all the files and folders are selected press the DELETE key to delete the files.
6. Files that are open or in use will not be deleted, so select skip.
7. Go to your Recycle Bin to EMPTY the deleted contents to free up space.

How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 using Command Prompt

Clearing Cache in Windows 10 using Command Prompt, I will show you how to clear DNS Cache and how to clear and reset Microsoft Store cache. Both of these procedures are done in the Command Prompt Window.

How to Clear DNS Cache in Windows 10 if you are having trouble accessing certain websites

Clearing DNS Cache if having trouble accessing certain webpages. If you are having issues accessing some webpages, you best clear your computer DNS cache.

How do you clear your device DNS cache?

Open Command Prompt as described below:

This command “ ipconfig /FlushDNS ” Purges your DNS Resolver Cache. Follow the procedure described below:

1. Type ” cmd ” in the search bar.
2. Select ” Run as Administrator ” (on the right).
3. When the Command Prompt appears type:
4. ” ipconfig /FlushDNS “
5. Press ” Enter ” on the keyboard.
6. You should get the message: Successfully flushed the DNS resolver cache if you have typed in the command as shown above with a space between ipconfig and /flushdns. (See image below)
7. Close the command prompt window.

How to Clear and Reset your Microsoft Store Cache in Windows 10

If you are experiencing problems with installing or downloading apps from Microsoft Store or if the Store App itself fails to run, try clearing and resetting your Microsoft Store cache. (Microsoft Store was formerly called Windows Store which is why the command to reset Microsoft Store cache is called WSreset.)

Running this command “ WSreset ” won’t remove any of your installed apps.

Steps to take before Running WSreset Command

1. If you have the Microsoft Store App running, please terminate it before running the “ WSreset ” command.
2. Type “ WSreset ” in the search bar next to the Windows icon (left of the taskbar area).
3. Press Enter to run the command.
4. A command box with no text will open. This command box will remain open while Microsoft Store cache is being deleted in the background. When it’s done the command box will close and the MS Store will open.

Be aware that resetting Microsoft Store cache could take a while even for computers that are considered normally fast. You just have to be patient while running the ” WSreset ” command.

This normally solves Microsoft Store issues.

How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 Laptop

All the guides shown in this article work equally well for Windows 10 PC Desktop or Windows 10 Laptop. I have included device location history cache here because you are likely to take a laptop around when you’re on the move.

How to Clear Device location history cache files (laptops)

Navigate to device location history cache file’s location by following steps below:

1. Click the Start Button.
2. Next click Settings.
3. Next click Privacy.
4. Next click Location.
5. Scroll down to find Location history of this device.
6. Press Clear to Clear location history on this device.

How to Clear Activity history cache

1. Type ” privacy settings ” in the search bar next to the Windows icon (left of the taskbar area).
2. Press Enter to go to Privacy Settings.
3. Select ” Activity history ” on the left column.
4. Click ” Clear ” to clear activity history.

You’re done Clearing Activity history cache.

See also this article How to Clear Cache in Laptop

How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 PC – Disk Clean-up App

Windows 10 comes with Disk Clean-up App which is a utility app that you can use to delete files from the hard disk that are no longer needed. Deleting these no longer needed files makes more room for other files on your hard drive.

Here is the procedure:

1. Type ” Disk Clean-up ” in the search bar.
2. Open Disk Clean-up app
3. Click ” Clean-up system Files ” ( this will add Windows update category to select for deletion – it is usually a big file so may take some time to complete).
4. Select the categories of files you want to delete.
5. When you click OK, the selected files will be deleted to free up that space.

When you open Disk Clean-up App, it scans your disk to identify file categories that can be selected for removal. Common Categories to select for deletion are temporary internet files, thumbnails, downloaded program files, DirectX shader cache, delivery optimization files, temporary files, Recycle Bin, Windows Error reports and feedback, windows update log files.

The amount of disk space you gain is equivalent to amount of space occupied currently by the categories you select on the left.

How to Clear File Explorer History Cache?

How do you clear File Explorer History Cache? 

1. First you open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon in the Taskbar.
2. Click on View Tab.
3. Click on Options on the far right to select Folder options.
4. Under General Tab in Folder Options locate File Explorer History in the Privacy section.
5. Click ” Clear ” to clear the File Explorer History Cache.

Why would you want to Clear File Explorer History Cache? 

• For Privacy reasons – you may not want others to see how you use your PC.
• Sometimes File Explorer History Cache gets corrupted or too big that files and folder load slowly or not at all. Clearing File Explorer History Cache will fix this issue.

How to Clear Browser Cache and Cookies Windows 10

In this section we will look at “How to Clear Browser Cache and Cookies Windows 10 “. It is good idea to clear browser cache if you see that your internet browser is slowing down or you’re experiencing trouble opening some web pages. The data in the browser cache and cookies maybe overloaded or corrupt so clearing it will correct any issues being caused by corrupt data.

How to Clear Cache in Windows 10 PC Chrome – Google Chrome Browser

Open Google Chrome.

1. Click on the 3 vertical dots as shown in the picture.
2. Select More Tools.
3. Select Clear Browsing Data.

Clearing Browser Cache in Windows 10 PC Chrome – Basic Browsing data Tab

1. You can select which data to delete from Browing history, Cookies and other site data, cached images and files.
2. Choose your time range.
3. To clear selected data, Click “clear data” button.

Clearing Browser Cache in Windows 10 PC Chrome – Advanced Browsing data Tab

1. You can select which data to delete from browsing history, download history, Cookies and other site data, cached images and files, Passwords and other sign-in data, auto-fill form data, site settings and hosted app data.
2. Choose your time range.
3. To clear selected data, Click “clear data” button.

Clear Mozilla Firefox Browser Cache.

How do you clear Firefox Browser Cache?

Open Firefox.

1. Click the menu icon on the right-hand side.
2. Click Options.
3. Click Privacy and Security.
4. Scroll down to about the middle to get to Cookies and Site Data.
5. Click ” Clear Data ” to clear Cookies and Site Data.
6. While you are here you can Click ” Clear History ” to clear your Firefox browsing, download, form, and search history.

Microsoft Edge Browser

How do you clear Microsoft Edge Browser cache data?

Clear Microsoft Edge Browser cache – Method 1

1. Open Microsoft Edge Browser.
2. Click on the 3 horizontal dots as shown in the picture.
3. Click History.
4. Click ” Clear Browsing History “.
5. then you are presented with the screen as shown below in the picture.
6. Choose your time range.
7. You can select which data to delete from browsing history, download history, Cookies and other site data, cached images and files, Passwords, Autofill form data (includes forms and cards), Site permissions, hosted app data, and All data from the previous version of Microsoft Edge.
8. To clear selected data Click “Clear Now” button.

How to Clear Microsoft Edge Browser cache in Windows 10 – Method 2

Shortcut way to get to Microsoft Edge Browser – Clear Browsing History screen

1. Open Microsoft Edge Browser.
2. Press ” Ctrl + Shift + Delete ” keys on the keyboard simultaneously (at the same time).
3. Choose your time range.
4. Select which data to delete from browsing history, download history, Cookies and other site data, cached images and files, Passwords, Autofill form data (includes forms and cards), Site permissions, hosted app data, and All data from the previous version of Microsoft Edge.
5. To clear selected data, Click “Clear Now” button.

How to Clear Browser Cache Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Firefox Windows 10

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How to check cache Windows 10?

If you want to check Cache on your Windows 10 PC, here is what you do:

1. Right-Click in the Taskbar area where it’s blank (normally this is near the system tray where your time and date are – bottom right on the screen.
2. Select Task Manager.
3. Click on Performance Tab to see what your PC has including CPU Cache (L1 Cache and L2 Cache), Ram being used, CPU utilization etc.
4. Under App History you can delete App usage history as well if you want to.
5. Close Task Manager after you’re done.

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How To Clear Clipboard Cache In Windows 10

1. Type ” Settings ” in the Search bar.
2. Open Settings App.
3. Select System
4. Locate Clipboard

Related articles –

• The Ultimate Guide to Clearing Cache in Your Windows 10 Laptop
• How to clear MS Teams Cache
• How to Clear Cookies in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox: A Comprehensive Guide
• Repair Windows 10 Using Command Prompt
• How to Clear Cache in Laptop
• How to Shut down computer
• How to clear cookies for one website Chrome

Further Reading:

• Disk Cleanup in Windows.
• How to Clear Cache.