Best Ways to Clear Cache Files in Windows 11. Cache files play a vital role in providing a smooth and uninterrupted user experience. However, excessive accumulation of such files consumes important system resources and slows down the work.
In this guide, you will learn 12 effective methods to clear all such cache files in Windows 11. You can also learn how to disable startup applications in Windows 11.
Why should you clear cache files?
Cache files are temporary files used by applications or systems to provide instant access and a smooth user experience.
When these files build up on the device over time, they start to create issues and problems while using it. Luckily, you can manually clear all such files in Windows 11. Deleting all such files on your system can:
1. Free up unused disk space.
2. Prevent errors and bugs.
3. Improves system performance and efficiency.
With that said, let’s take a look at 12 effective methods to clear cache files in Windows 11.
Best Ways to Clear Cache Files in Windows 11
Use the Settings app to clear temporary cache files
1. Press the Windows key and search for the Settings app to open it.
2. Expand the “System” option on the left sidebar and click “Storage” to configure it.
3. On the next page, select the Temporary Files option.
4. Next, click the Delete Files button to delete and clear all temporary cache files in Windows 11.
Delete your web browser’s cache
Like other applications, web browsers such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc. also use cache files and cookies for instant access and navigation.
When these files accumulate over time, they tend to slow down the browser as well as the system on which they are installed. Follow these simple steps to clear browser cache files and cookies.
Run Disk Cleanup tool to clear disk related cache
Windows 11 offers a built-in tool known as Disk Cleanup to clean up and free up disk space on your computer’s hard drive. Follow the steps below to clear disk related cache files with this tool.
1. Press the Windows key and search for Disk Cleanup to open it.
2. Select the desired disk in the disk selection window to start the cleaning process on it, and click the OK button.
3. Wait a few seconds for the system to calculate the amount of space that can be freed with this tool.
4. Click the OK button to delete all temporary files associated with the drive in Windows 11.
Clear location cache files
Windows 11 also allows you to delete saved location history on your device. Follow these steps for an easy fix.
1. Press the Windows key and find the location privacy options to open it.
2. Scroll down to find the Location History option and click the Clear button to remove it from your device.
Clear cache associated with installed apps
When you install and use an application on your Windows system, all of its cache files are stored in a specific folder called temporary folder. You can access this folder manually to delete them and free up unnecessary disk space.
1. Open the Run window by simultaneously pressing the Windows key + R.
2. Enter %temp% in the field and press enter.
3. Now you can browse the temporary folder containing many cache files. Delete all these files by selecting them all and pressing the delete key. Alternatively, you can select them all by pressing the Ctrl+A hotkey and right-clicking to select the Delete option.
Clear temporary DNS cache
DNS caches are made up of all the domain names of websites you have visited in the past in order to load them quickly on future visits.
These files accumulate inside the system in large numbers and often begin to give errors when opening other web pages. To prevent this from happening, you need to clear all temporary DNS caches on your Windows 11 system.
1. Open the Run window on your system by pressing the Windows key + R at the same time.
2. Type cmd in the window and press the enter key to launch the command prompt.
3. Then type the following command to clear all DNS cache files and press the enter key.
ipconfig/flushdns
Congratulations. You have successfully removed all temporary DNS caches from your Windows 11 system.
Reset Microsoft Store app cache files
Similar to other installed apps, the Microsoft Store also uses cache files to provide a fast experience for its users.
However, excessive accumulation of these cache files often consumes important system resources and creates problems when downloading other apps from the Store. Follow these simple steps to remove Microsoft Store cache files from Windows 11.
Clear Activity History in Windows 11
Microsoft uses your system activity history to provide a personalized experience when using its apps and services.
To prevent this on your Windows 11 system and save more system resources, you can manually clear your activity history from time to time.
1. Press the Windows key and search for the keyword “Clear activity history” to open the related system settings.
2. Scroll down and click the “Clear” button to delete all saved activity history.
Delete File Explorer app history
The File Explorer app on your Windows 11 system also keeps some cache files to provide users with fast navigation. Luckily, you can also remove them by following these simple steps.
1. Press the Windows key and find File Explorer Options to open its settings.
2. Click the General tab and look for the Clear File Explorer History option under the Privacy section.
3. Next, click on the “Clear” button to delete it.
Clear temporary clipboard data
Just like cache files, you can also delete temporary clipboard data stored on your system. Follow the steps below to achieve the same.
1. Press the Windows key and search for “Clipboard Settings” to open it.
2. Next, click the “Clear” button in front of the “Clear clipboard data” option to delete all temporary files.
Activate Storage Sense to remove unnecessary temporary files
You can also automate your system to free up space and delete temporary files on your system and recycle bin using the Storage Sense feature. Follow these quick steps to enable Memory Sense in Windows 11 and then empty your PC’s Recycle Bin automatically.
Bonus Tip: Use free third party tools like CleanAfterMe or CCleaner.
You can also use effective free third-party tools like CleanAfterMe or CCleaner to easily clean up temporary caches and junk registry files consuming your system resources.
1. Open a new tab in your web browser and navigate to the CleanAfterMe Tool download page .
2. Scroll down and click on the Download Clean After Me executable link.
3. After downloading the tool, double click it to open it.
4. Click the Install Anyway button if prompted by the Microsoft Store.
5. Then check the desired radio buttons for various cache files related to apps and system and click the Clear Selected Items button at the bottom to delete them.
6. That’s it. You have successfully deleted all temporary cache files with this third party tool.
You can also clear temporary cache files on Windows 11 using a similar popular alternative known as the CCleaner app . By using this application, you can easily remove various kinds of junk files in a few clicks.
Related | 5 Best Ways to Disable Microsoft Defender in Windows 11
Summing up: remove caches to speed up your work
We hope that you have now successfully removed various cache files from your Windows 11 system using the methods listed above.
If this quick read helped you improve Windows 11 performance, please click the Like button and share this guide with your friends to help them. Stay tuned for further Windows troubleshooting guides.
Read Also: