A few years ago I copied someone else's online instructions for How To Clear The Computer Cache On Windows 10. It applies equally to Windows 11. Maybe 8.1 and back too. I haven't fired up my Windows 7 computer in such a long time I don't know if any of this works on it. There may be some minor details, like the menus on the browsers, but AFAIK, everything else still applies to both Windows 10 and 11. I hope everyone already knows how to clear the cache on their browsers and run Disk Cleanup, and does them often. If not, I've got you covered. I also have my computers set to check once a week to see if they need to be defragged. If they do, they will automatically Defragment and Optimize Drives. Once a month wasn't often enough. This will speed up a slow, fragmented drive.
I use Firefox and Vivaldi browsers because neither one is owned by Microsoft or Google. And neither one takes your information like Microsoft does with Edge, and Google does with Chrome, and sells it to
anyone who wants to buy it. I also use Startpage.com as the search engine on all my computers. It has the same results as Google, because they buy Google search results, but it's 100% private. It won't gather any information on you. I even have it set to not give me any search suggestions. I especially don't want a browser giving me suggestions based on my browsing history. Not on my bookmarks either. Startpage has options to do any, all, or none of those things.
I rearranged some of this and heavily edited it just now. The process for clearing the cache on Firefox was so out of date, it was saying to click on buttons that aren't even there. Google Chrome too, but I have Chrome on my computer and was able to correct that. I updated the Microsoft Edge instructions too. If you have Internet Explorer on your computer, why? It's a security risk. That's one reason Microsoft made their Edge browser, which they replaced with a newer Chromium based Edge browser. I made
several other edits on the page before I posted too, so here's the first look at brand the new version. If I posted something wrong and you know what's right, please post it, for all of us. If you have Windows 10 or 11 and these things don't work for you, post your problems and I'll try to figure them out whenever I come back to the forum. It could be the next day. It could be the next month, but I'll check back.
How To Clear The Computer Cache On Windows 10 or 11 If you are using Windows 10 or 11, then this process is for you. The computer cache can be of various types such as browser cache, store cache, temporary files etc. So, the process to get rid all of them are listed here.
Disk clean up
To launch Disk Cleanup type "cleanmgr" in the search box and select the Disk Cleanup option from the search results.
Or find Disk Cleanup on the Start menu under Windows Tools.
Disk Cleanup will offer all drives if you have more than one hard drive, so choose them one by one to scan files and clean up.
First, choose the drive C and press OK.
It will offer numerous options. So, check all the required boxes and tap on Clean up system files.
Windows will calculate the amount of storage to clean up. Next, click OK to initiate the process.
I have every box checked at all times. Run it again to get the stuff it left behind the first time.
Delete temporary cache files
Do NOT use quotation marks in any of the commands on this page. Copy and paste if you like.
First, hit Windows button + R button to open Run. Type "%temp%" and hit enter.
It will show loads of files. Delete all of them.
Open the Run box again and type the word "temp". Hit enter. Delete all the available files.
I always have a folder in each one I can't delete, so don't worry if you do too.
Open the Run box one more time. Now type "prefetch" and hit enter. Delete all available files.
Prefetch is full of files for progams Windows thinks you're going to run again soon. You don't it want it full of stuff you
don't use anymore. But don't empty it too often, because it will take time to fill back up with programs you are using.
Delete DNS Cache
Deleting DNS cache is also suggested in case you are facing issues with browsing. The process is explained here.
Type "cmd" in the search box and it will open the Command prompt.
Here, type in "ipconfig/flushdns" and hit enter.
That’s it, and thus the DNS cache will be flushed.
Delete Windows Store cache
Windows Store comes with the Windows Store beta and this saves a huge amount of cache which contributes to the performance issue definitely. So, it is suggested to delete the store cache very often
Open the Run box by hitting Windows button + R button at the same time.
In the Run window, type "wsreset.exe", and click OK.
An empty command prompt window will open up.
When the reset is complete, this window will close and the Windows Store window will open.
Do whatever you want to while you wait. It shouldn't cause any interference.
Clear Browser Cache
Clearing browsing cache will vary for every browser. The process is discussed one by one.
Edge:
Launch the browser first and tap on the three dots icon at the top right corner.
Click History. Click the three dots icon in the new, small window. Click Clear browsing data.
Select Cached images and files. Set Time range to All time, and click on Clear now. That’s it.
Alternate method.
Launch the browser first and tap on the three dots icon at the top right corner.
Click on Settings at the bottom. Click Privacy, then Search and services in the new window. Under Clear browsing data,
Choose what to clear. Select Cached images and files. Set Time range to All time, and click on Clear now.
Internet Explorer:
Launch the browser first and in the menu bar you need to select View and select Options. Next, follow the path General>Privacy> Clear and then OK. It will then clear all the browser history.
Google Chrome:
Open the browser and tap on the three dots at the top right corner. Next select Settings>Privacy and security> Clear browsing data.
Now tick the checkbox Cached images and files, set the Time range to All time, and click Clear data.
Firefox:
Launch the browser and tap on the History button at the top. Select Clear recent history.
Select the Cache option. Next, set the Time range to clear to Everything and tap the OK button.
So, this is the entire process of how to clear computer cache on Windows 10 or 11.
I have my browsers set to automatically delete all, or most of, the crap when they close, so I don't have to clear them manually.
I normally run Disk Cleanup every night when I'm all done for the day.
You can empty both Temp folders as often as you want to. I try for once a week if I remember.
Before I disabled superfetch on my desktop, I emptied the prefectch folder about once a month. Now I don't.
It typically had close to 300 folders at any given time. Or as many as 350.
If I remember I delete the DNS cache every month or two. it doesn't hurt to do it more often.
The more programs you have from Windows Store, the longer it will take WSReset to run.
Feel free to copy these instructions and share them with your friends and family.
P.S. 2 1/2 hours of editing and re-reading.
I hope I got it right.
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