How to Clear Cache on Windows 11: Boost Performance and Free Up Space

How to Clear the Cache on Your Windows 11 PC (And Why It's Important)​

If your computer feels sluggish, your desktop looks cluttered, or you’ve just noticed slower boot times, then the culprit might be hidden in the cache. Over time, routine computer usage accumulates temporary files and cached data that can become outdated, corrupted, or simply unnecessary. Clearing these files can free up disk space and significantly improve your system’s performance. In this guide, we’ll explore why cleaning your cache is essential and walk you through several built-in tools in Windows 11 to keep your system running at its best.

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Why Clearing Your Cache Matters​

Caching is designed to speed up processes by storing frequently accessed data. However, as you use your computer, temporary files pile up, which can lead to:

• Reduced Performance: Corrupted or outdated cache files may slow down your system, resulting in longer boot times and lag during operations.
• Storage Waste: Unneeded files consume valuable disk space, which is especially critical on SSDs where performance is linked to available capacity.
• Operational Quirks: A cluttered cache can cause minor glitches in software functionality, and in some cases, even trigger software crashes.

Keeping your system clean by regularly clearing these files ensures optimal performance, reduces the risk of errors, and leaves you with more space for important data.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing Your Cache on Windows 11​

1. Use Windows Cleanup Recommendations​

Windows 11 includes a modern cleanup utility that helps you identify and remove unnecessary files easily.
How to Access and Use It:

1. Open Settings: Click the Start button and choose Settings.
2. Navigate to Storage: Go to System > Storage.
3. Scroll to "Cleanup recommendations": Here you will see suggestions for deleting temporary files, clearing out unused apps, and emptying the Recycle Bin.
4. Review and Delete: Examine the files listed—these might include file duplicates in your Downloads folder, unused videos, and large image files. Once you’ve verified what you can remove, proceed to delete them to reclaim gigabytes of disk space.

Tip: Make sure nothing essential is stored in the Downloads folder before you clear it.

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2. Use the Windows Disk Cleanup Utility​

For more focused cleaning, the traditional Disk Cleanup tool remains a powerful option.
Steps to Run Disk Cleanup:

1. Search for Disk Cleanup: Press the Windows key, type “Disk Cleanup,” and open the application.
2. Choose the Drive: Select the drive you want to clean up (typically the C: drive).
3. Select File Types: Disk Cleanup will analyze your disk and then display a list of file types—temporary internet files, setup log files, system cache, etc. Check the boxes for the files you’re ready to remove.
4. Run the Cleanup: Click OK to delete the selected files and free up space.

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3. Clear Your PC’s Location Cache​

Your device stores location history data that helps apps and services provide localized content. Over time, this cache can add unnecessary bulk.
How to Clear It:

1. Open Settings: Click Start and navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security.
2. Find Location History: Scroll down to the “Location history” section.
3. Clear the Cache: Click on the Clear button to remove the stored location data.

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4. Flush the DNS Cache​

If your internet speeds seem slower than expected, the DNS cache might need a clear-out. Flushing the DNS cache ensures that your system discards outdated DNS entries, which can improve browsing performance.
Steps to Flush DNS:

1. Open Run Dialog: Press Windows + R.
2. Run the Command: Type ipconfig/flushdns and press Enter. This command purges the DNS resolver cache, helping resolve domains afresh and potentially speeding up web browsing.

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Final Thoughts​

Regularly clearing cache and temporary files is a simple yet effective routine to maintain a healthy, high-performing Windows 11 PC. Whether you use the integrated Cleanup recommendations or the classic Disk Cleanup utility, these small housekeeping steps can lead to smoother performance, faster boot times, and less cluttered storage.
By adopting these practices, you ensure that your PC remains responsive and secure, reducing the risk of glitches associated with outdated cache data. So, take a few minutes today—your system, and your productivity, will thank you.
Source: ZDNet

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Source: ZDNET How to clear the cache on your Windows 11 PC (and why it's important to do so)