What cache is and why you should clear it

Cache is temporary data that Windows and your programs store on your hard drive to load things faster next time. Your browser saves images and web pages. Windows saves file thumbnails and search results. Your programs cache settings and temporary files. Over time, this pile of temporary data can slow your computer down, take up disk space, or cause programs to behave strangely.

Clearing cache won't hurt anything — Windows and your programs will rebuild it automatically as you use them. The process takes a few minutes and can free up several gigabytes of space, depending on how long it's been since you last cleared it.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores temporary files in the Temp folder, which you can empty through Disk Cleanup or by deleting files manually.
  • Your web browser (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) has its own cache that you clear through the browser's settings, not through Windows.
  • The fastest method is using Disk Cleanup, which clears multiple types of cache in one place.
  • Clearing cache is safe and won't delete your files, passwords, or settings — only temporary data.
  • You may need to restart your computer after clearing cache for some changes to take effect.

Clear cache using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is built into Windows and handles most cache types in one place. Open it by typing "Disk Cleanup" into the Windows search box (the magnifying glass icon on your taskbar) and press Enter. A window will open asking which drive you want to clean — select your C: drive, which is where Windows and most programs live.

Wait 30 seconds while Disk Cleanup scans your drive. A new window will appear with a list of items to delete. Look for these boxes and check them: "Temporary files", "Recycle Bin", "Temporary Internet Files", and "Thumbnails". Leave everything else unchecked unless you recognize it. Click "Delete Files" at the bottom and confirm. This usually takes a few minutes.

After Disk Cleanup finishes, you can close the window. Restart your computer if any programs were running — this ensures Windows fully clears the cache.

Clear your web browser cache

Your web browser stores its own cache separately from Windows. If you use Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner, then select "Settings". Click "Privacy, search, and services" on the left side. Under "Clear browsing data", click "Choose what to clear". Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear now".

If you use Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right, then "Settings". Click "Privacy and security" on the left, then "Clear browsing data". Make sure the time range at the top says "All time", check "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files", then click "Clear data".

If you use Firefox, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then "Settings". Click "Privacy & Security" on the left. Under "Cookies and Site Data", click "Clear Data". Check both boxes and click "Clear".

Manually delete temporary files

If Disk Cleanup doesn't work or you want more control, you can delete temporary files directly. Open File Explorer (the folder icon on your taskbar) and paste this path into the address bar at the top: %LocalAppData%\Temp. Press Enter. A folder full of temporary files will open.

Select all files in this folder by pressing Ctrl+A, then press Delete. Windows may say some files are in use — click "Skip" for those. The files that delete are the ones you can safely remove. Close the window when done.

You can also clear the Windows temporary folder by pasting this path instead: C:\Windows\Temp. Use the same process — select all, delete, and skip any files that are in use.

Clear cache for specific programs

Some programs store their own cache that Disk Cleanup doesn't touch. Microsoft Office, Adobe programs, and game launchers all cache data. The fastest way to find these is to search the program's settings menu for "cache" or "temporary files". Most programs have a button that says "Clear Cache" or "Delete Temporary Files".

For Steam (the game launcher), right-click the program in your taskbar, select "Settings", then look for "Storage" or "Cache". For Adobe Creative Cloud programs, open the program, go to Edit > Preferences (or the program name > Preferences on Mac), and search for "cache". If you can't find it, the program probably doesn't have a built-in cache clear — Disk Cleanup will handle most of what it stores.

What to do if clearing cache doesn't help

If your computer is still slow after clearing cache, the problem is usually something else. Check your disk space by opening File Explorer, right-clicking your C: drive, and selecting "Properties". If you have less than 10% of your drive free (for example, less than 20 GB on a 200 GB drive), your computer will run slowly no matter how much cache you clear. You'll need to delete large files or programs you don't use.

If disk space is fine, run a virus scan using Windows Defender (built into Windows). Open "Windows Security" from your Start menu, click "Virus & threat protection", then "Scan options". Select "Full scan" and click "Scan now". This takes 30 minutes to an hour but catches problems that slow your computer down.

How often you should clear cache

Most people don't need to clear cache more than once every few months. If you browse the web heavily, watch a lot of video, or use your computer for work with large files, clearing cache once a month keeps things running smoothly. If your computer feels slow or you're running low on disk space, clear cache immediately.

You can set Windows to clear cache automatically. Open Settings (press Windows key + I), click "System" on the left, then "Storage". Turn on "Storage Sense" and set it to "Every day" or "Weekly". Windows will then clear temporary files on its own schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my files or passwords?

No. Cache is only temporary data that programs use to load things faster. Your actual files, documents, photos, and saved passwords stay on your computer. Browser passwords are separate from cached data — clearing cache won't affect them unless you specifically check "Passwords" in your browser's clear data menu, which you shouldn't do unless you want to log back into every website.

Why is my computer still slow after clearing cache?

Cache is usually not the main reason computers slow down. Check how much free disk space you have — if you're below 10% free, your computer will be slow. Also check if a program is using a lot of CPU or memory by opening Task Manager (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and looking at the CPU and Memory columns. If one program is using more than 50%, that's your problem, not cache.

Can I clear cache without restarting?

Yes, most cache clears work without a restart. However, if programs were running while you cleared cache, they may still have old data in memory. A restart ensures everything is fully cleared and fresh. It's not required, but it's the safest approach if you want the full benefit.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, videos, and web pages so they load faster next time. Cookies store information about you — like login details and website preferences — so websites remember you. Clearing cache won't log you out of websites, but clearing cookies will. Most people should clear both, but if you want to stay logged in, uncheck "Cookies" when clearing your browser cache.

Is it safe to delete files in the Temp folder manually?

Yes, as long as you skip any files Windows says are in use. Files in the Temp folder are meant to be temporary and can be deleted. If a file is in use, Windows won't let you delete it anyway — it will just skip it. You won't break anything by trying.