Unlock the Secret to a Faster PC: How to Clear Cache in Windows 10

Clearing cache in Windows 10 can be a powerful way to boost your computer’s performance, resolve various issues, and free up valuable disk space. But with so many different types of cache, it can be confusing to know where to start. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of clearing cache in Windows 10, covering different types of cache and providing step-by-step instructions for each.

Understanding Cache in Windows 10

Before we dive into the clearing process, let’s understand what cache is and why it’s important. Cache is a temporary storage area used by your computer to speed up access to frequently used data. When you open a website, for example, your browser downloads the website’s files and stores them in the cache. The next time you visit the same site, your browser can quickly retrieve the cached files instead of downloading them again, resulting in faster loading times.

However, over time, cached data can become outdated or corrupted, leading to various problems like slow performance, website errors, or even application crashes. This is where clearing cache comes in. By deleting outdated or corrupted cache files, you can free up disk space and improve your computer’s overall efficiency.

Clearing Browser Cache

One of the most common types of cache is browser cache. Clearing your browser cache can help fix website loading issues, resolve display errors, and ensure you’re seeing the most up-to-date content. Here’s how to clear cache in popular browsers:

Google Chrome:

1. Open Google Chrome and click the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
2. Select “More tools” and then “Clear browsing data.”
3. In the “Basic” tab, select “Cached images and files.”
4. Choose the time range you want to clear cache for (e.g., “Last hour,” “Last day,” etc.) and click “Clear data.”

Mozilla Firefox:

1. Open Firefox and click the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
2. Select “Options” or “Preferences” (depending on your operating system).
3. Click on “Privacy & Security” and then “Cookies and Site Data.”
4. Click “Clear Data” and select “Cached Web Content” from the list.
5. Click “Clear” to confirm.

Microsoft Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner.
2. Select “Settings” and then “Privacy, search, and services.”
3. Click “Choose what to clear” under “Clear browsing data.”
4. Select “Cached images and files” and choose the time range you want to clear.
5. Click “Clear now.”

Clearing Windows System Cache

Windows itself uses a temporary cache to store system files and settings. Clearing this cache can help resolve various system errors and improve performance. Here’s how to clear the Windows system cache:

1. Using Disk Cleanup:

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type cleanmgr and click “OK.”
• Select the drive containing your Windows installation (usually C:) and click “OK.”
• Select the “Temporary files” checkbox and any other unnecessary files you want to remove.
• Click “OK” and follow the prompts to complete the process.

2. Manually deleting temporary files:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: **C:WindowsTemp**
• Select all files and folders within the Temp folder and delete them.
• Note: You may encounter some files that cannot be deleted. If so, skip those files and proceed with deleting the rest.

Clearing DNS Cache

The Domain Name System (DNS) cache stores a list of website addresses and their corresponding IP addresses, helping your computer quickly access websites. However, if the DNS cache becomes outdated or corrupted, it can lead to website connection errors. Here’s how to clear the DNS cache:

1. Using Command Prompt:

• Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
• Type cmd and press “Enter.”
• In the Command Prompt window, type ipconfig /flushdns and press “Enter.”
• You should see a message confirming that the DNS resolver cache has been flushed.

Clearing App Cache

Many apps on your computer, especially games and multimedia software, use their own cache to store temporary files, settings, and data. Clearing app cache can help resolve performance issues, crashes, and other problems specific to those apps.

Here’s how to clear app cache in general:

1. Locate the app’s installation folder:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the app’s installation directory. You can usually find the installation location by right-clicking the app’s icon in the Start menu and selecting “Open file location.”

2. Find the app’s cache folder:

• Within the app’s installation folder, look for a folder named “Cache,” “Temp,” “Local,” or something similar. The exact name may vary depending on the app.

3. Delete the cache files:

• Select all files and folders within the cache folder and delete them.

Note: Clearing app cache may reset some app settings, so it’s a good idea to back up any important data before proceeding.

Clearing Prefetch Files

Prefetch files are small files created by Windows to speed up the loading process of frequently used applications. While prefetch files can improve performance, they can also become outdated and contribute to slow startup times. Here’s how to clear prefetch files:

1. Using Disk Cleanup:

• Follow the steps outlined in the “Clearing Windows System Cache” section to open Disk Cleanup.
• Select the “Temporary files” checkbox and ensure the “Prefetch files” option is checked.
• Click “OK” and follow the prompts to complete the process.

2. Manually deleting prefetch files:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: **C:WindowsPrefetch**
• Select all files within the Prefetch folder and delete them.

Clearing Thumbnail Cache

Windows creates thumbnail previews for images, videos, and other files to allow for faster browsing. However, these thumbnails can take up significant disk space, and clearing the thumbnail cache can free up space and potentially improve file browsing performance.

1. Using Disk Cleanup:

• Follow the steps outlined in the “Clearing Windows System Cache” section to open Disk Cleanup.
• Select the “Temporary files” checkbox and ensure the “Thumbnail cache” option is checked.
• Click “OK” and follow the prompts to complete the process.

2. Manually deleting thumbnail cache files:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: **C:UsersAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer**
• Delete the thumbcache_*.db files.

Clearing Cache: The Final Word

Clearing cache in Windows 10 is a simple but effective way to improve your computer’s performance, resolve various issues, and free up disk space. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can clear different types of cache, including browser cache, system cache, DNS cache, app cache, prefetch files, and thumbnail cache.

Remember that clearing cache may reset some app settings and temporary data, so it’s always a good idea to back up any important files before proceeding.

What You Need to Learn

Q: What happens if I clear my browser cache?
A: Clearing your browser cache will remove all temporary files, cookies, and other data stored by your browser. This can improve website loading times and resolve display errors but may also require you to log back into websites and re-enter preferences.

Q: Is it safe to clear the Windows system cache?
A: Yes, clearing the Windows system cache is generally safe. It removes temporary files that are no longer needed and can help resolve system errors and improve performance.

Q: How often should I clear cache?
A: There’s no set schedule for clearing cache. You can clear it whenever you encounter problems with your computer’s performance or specific apps. You can also clear it periodically to maintain optimal performance.

Q: Is there a way to clear all cache at once?
A: While there’s no single command to clear all cache types, you can use tools like Disk Cleanup to clear several types of cache simultaneously, including temporary files, prefetch files, and thumbnail cache.

Q: What if I accidentally delete important files while clearing cache?
A: It’s always a good idea to back up your data before clearing cache. If you accidentally delete important files, you may be able to recover them using data recovery software.