To clear the cache on a Windows 11 computer, you can follow several effective methods:
1. Clear Cache via Settings (Temporary Files)
- Open Settings (press Windows + I).
- Go to System > Storage > Temporary Files.
- Windows will scan and display various types of temporary files.
- Check the boxes for the cache files you want to delete (e.g., temporary files, recycle bin, downloads).
- Click Remove Files and confirm by clicking Continue to clear the cache
2. Use Disk Cleanup Tool
- Open the Start menu and search for Disk Cleanup.
- Select the drive where Windows 11 is installed (usually C:).
- In the Disk Cleanup window, check all boxes related to cache and temporary files.
- Click OK , then Delete Files to confirm and clear the cache
3. Clear Cache Manually Using Run Commands
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
prefetchand press Enter. Select all files (Ctrl + A) and delete them. - Repeat with
tempand%temp%commands, deleting all files in those folders. - Note: Some files may not delete if they are in use; this is normal
4. Clear Microsoft Store Cache
- Press Windows + R, type
wsreset.exe, and press Enter. - This will reset the Microsoft Store cache and reopen the Store automatically
5. Clear DNS Cache (Optional)
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator (search CMD, right-click, Run as administrator).
- Type
ipconfig /flushdnsand press Enter. - This clears the DNS resolver cache, which can help with network issues
6. Use Storage Sense for Automatic Cache Cleaning
- In Settings > System > Storage, click Storage Sense.
- Turn on Automatic User Content Cleanup.
- Configure which cache types to clear automatically (Recycle Bin, Downloads, etc.).
- You can also run Storage Sense manually by clicking Run Storage Sense Now
After clearing caches, it is recommended to restart your computer to ensure all changes take effect and improve performance
. These methods cover most cache types on Windows 11, including system temporary files, app caches, Microsoft Store cache, and DNS cache, helping to free up disk space and potentially improve system responsiveness.
