Speed Up Windows 11 with a Practical Cache Cleanup Guide

If your brand-new Windows 11 desktop feels cluttered, apps are sluggish, or storage keeps creeping toward full, a targeted cache and temporary-file cleanup can deliver a measurable speed boost — and it’s easier than you think. The built-in Windows tools (Cleanup recommendations, Disk Cleanup/cleanmgr, Storage Sense) plus a few command-line fixes (ipconfig /flushdns, wsreset.exe) let you reclaim disk space and remove stale or corrupted cache entries without third-party tools. This guide condenses the practical steps, explains what each tool does, flags recent changes to how Windows stores certain data, and gives a safe, repeatable cleanup workflow so your PC boots and performs like new.

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Background / Overview​

Caching exists because it improves perceived performance: repeated operations (web lookups, thumbnails, app package metadata) read faster when Windows or apps store small local copies. Over time those caches can grow, contain stale entries, or become corrupted — which in turn causes slow boots, high disk I/O, failed app updates, or weird UI behavior. Cleaning these caches is not a cure-all for hardware limitations, but it removes common sources of bloat and corruption.
Windows 11 provides three primary built-in approaches for basic cleanup:

• Cleanup recommendations / Storage settings for guided, GUI-driven removal of temporary files, large/unused files, and rarely used apps.
• Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) — the long-standing utility that can remove system-level temp files and leftover update files. It still exists and supports scheduled and command-line operation.
• Storage Sense, an automation engine that can periodically purge temp files, Recycle Bin items, and older downloads according to rules you set.

Beyond these, there are targeted cache actions such as flushing the DNS resolver cache, clearing Microsoft Store cache, and removing app-specific caches. This article explains what to run, why it helps, and the risks to avoid.

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What to do before you start: quick safety checklist​

• Back up any files from the Downloads folder or desktop you might need. Cleanup recommendations and Disk Cleanup sometimes target the Downloads folder and system-resident files. Do not assume a cleanup tool will preserve files you want to keep.
• Create a System Restore point or ensure Windows System Protection is enabled. That gives you a recovery path if an expected file or setting is removed.
• Close apps and save work. Some cleanup operations work best when applications are closed so temporary files aren’t in use.

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How to use Windows 11 Cleanup recommendations (the safe GUI starting point)​

Cleanup recommendations in Settings is the least risky first step and is designed for typical users. It scans and groups obvious targets: Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud, and Unused apps. Follow these steps:

• Open Start > Settings > System > Storage.
• Click or scroll to Cleanup recommendations.
• Review each category — Temporary files will show a breakdown, large files will list candidates, and Unused apps are identified for you.
• Make a deliberate choice about the Downloads folder: if you select it, everything flagged there will be removed. If unsure, manually inspect Downloads first and move important files to a backup folder.

Why start here: Windows provides a preview of what’s being deleted and the space you’ll reclaim, which reduces accidental removal of personal files. The tool also surfaces the Windows.old folder only when it’s safe to delete it (for example, when 10 days have passed after an upgrade).

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Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr): deeper system cleanup and automation​

Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) remains available and useful for removing system files that the Settings UI may not surface. It can remove:

• Old Windows Update files and installers (when you use “Clean up system files”).
• Temporary setup files, thumbnails, temporary internet files, and log files.

How to run Disk Cleanup:

• Search for “Disk Cleanup” from Start, pick the system drive (usually C, and use the UI to check the file types you want to remove. For a deeper sweep, choose Clean up system files to include Windows Update cleanup.

Command-line and scheduled operation:

• Run cleanmgr /sageset:n to create a saved configuration (replace n with 1–9999).
• Use cleanmgr /sagerun:n to run that saved profile.
• These switches let you schedule Disk Cleanup with Task Scheduler for automated runs on a schedule.

Caveat: Disk Cleanup can safely remove cached system files, but always check the list before confirming a deletion if you’re troubleshooting an update or driver issue. If in doubt, create a system restore point first.

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Storage Sense: automate routine cleanups​

Storage Sense is the built-in automation that keeps caches from ballooning:

• It can run on a schedule (daily, weekly, monthly, or only when disk space is low).
• It can empty Recycle Bin items older than X days and remove files in Downloads older than a configured threshold.
• It will remove temporary files that apps aren’t using.

To enable and configure Storage Sense:

• Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense.
• Turn Storage Sense on and click Configure Storage Sense or run it now to tune what gets removed and when.

Best practice: Use Storage Sense for routine housekeeping, but keep Downloads and any folders with frequently needed files out of the automatic purge unless you maintain copies elsewhere.

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Clearing specific caches — targeted fixes​

1) Flush the DNS resolver cache (ipconfig /flushdns)​

Flushing the DNS cache forces your PC to re-request DNS entries instead of using possibly stale or corrupted local cache records. It can resolve intermittent name-resolution issues, redirect problems after DNS record changes, and sometimes reduce web-related errors. To run it:

• Press Windows + R, type cmd, and run as administrator (or open an elevated Command Prompt from Start).
• Type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You should see: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

Notes and limits: Flushing the local DNS cache does not clear upstream caches at your router, ISP, or public DNS providers; replication across those layers can still cause old records to resolve until their TTL expires. But it's a fast, safe command and a common first step for network troubleshooting.

2) Clear the Location cache and understand recent changes​

Windows previously stored local location history to support location-aware features. Microsoft’s support documentation now notes that local storage of location history was removed in March 2025, and that location activity in the cloud is associated with your Microsoft account and can be cleared from your online privacy dashboard. On-device controls still let you manage location permissions and certain local history-clearing options may or may not appear depending on Windows updates.
How to attempt a location-history clear (where present):

• Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Location.
• If a Location history or Clear button is shown, use it to clear device-stored entries. If the option is absent, check the Microsoft account privacy dashboard to clear cloud-linked activity. Because Microsoft changed where and how location history is stored, the presence of this UI varies by OS build and account state. Treat any missing UI as expected behavior rather than a bug.

3) Clear Microsoft Store cache (wsreset.exe)​

If Microsoft Store is slow or apps fail to update, resetting the store cache is a quick, non-destructive step:

• Press Windows + R, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter. A command window will pop up briefly; when it closes, the Store will relaunch and its cache will be rebuilt.

4) Clear browser caches​

Browsers are major cache consumers. Clearing a browser’s cached images and files can free space and resolve rendering or stale-content issues. Typical access:

• Edge/Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+Del → choose time range and "Cached images and files".

5) Clear app-specific caches and reset apps​

Some modern apps expose a Reset or Repair option in Settings:

• Settings > Apps > Installed apps > select an app > Advanced options.
• Use Reset to delete the app’s local data for a fresh start. This is reversible only by reinstalling or restoring app data, so use it only when the app is misbehaving.

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Advanced: scheduling Disk Cleanup and running targeted CLI jobs​

For power users and IT pros, automating cleanup via Task Scheduler and cleanmgr can be useful:

• Use cleanmgr /sageset:1 to open Disk Cleanup’s options and store them under an index.
• Use cleanmgr /sagerun:1 to run those choices unattended.
• Schedule a Task Scheduler job that runs cleanmgr /sagerun:1 weekly or monthly.

Be mindful of what you schedule: deleting Windows Update cleanup items can make rollback or troubleshooting more difficult, so schedule such deep cleans only after a stable period post-update.

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Third-party cleanup tools: benefits and risks​

Third-party utilities (for example, long-running names in the cleanup space) can automate deeper sweeps, browser cache spanning multiple browsers, and registry cleaning. They can be convenient, but they also carry risk:

• Some cleanup utilities are overly aggressive and delete user files or necessary registry entries.
• Bundled software or telemetry can be a privacy concern.
• A poorly curated ruleset may remove cache entries that actually speed app launches, resulting in slower UX.

If you use a third-party tool:

• Prefer trusted vendors with clear privacy policies.
• Run a backup first and test on a non-critical machine.
• Uncheck any “automated registry cleaner” options unless you understand the precise action.

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Performance considerations and trade-offs​

• SSD wear: Modern SSDs are durable; routine deletion of temporary files has negligible impact on SSD lifespan for normal users. However, extremely aggressive, high-frequency writes across millions of files are not advisable. For typical cleanup intervals, SSD endurance is not a practical concern.
• Cache vs speed: Removing caches frees space and solves corruption, but caches also speed repeated operations. Clearing everything daily can increase I/O due to re-building caches. Configure Storage Sense to be conservative if you prefer a balance between space and speed.
• Registry cleaners: Most experts recommend avoiding registry cleaners unless you have an unusual, targeted reason and a verified backup. They rarely produce measurable performance gains and can introduce instability.

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Troubleshooting after cleaning​

If you experience regressions after a cleanup:

• Check the Recycle Bin — many tools send files there before final deletion; restore if needed.
• Use System Restore to revert to a prior state if you created a restore point.
• Reinstall any misbehaving apps (Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Uninstall / Reinstall).
• If networking breaks after DNS flushes, restart the machine and router; confirm DNS settings (manual vs DHCP) and test with nslookup to diagnose resolution paths.

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A safe, recommended cleanup workflow (step-by-step)​

• Backup: Copy irreplaceable files from Downloads, Desktop, Documents to an external drive or cloud.
• Create a System Restore point.
• Run Cleanup recommendations (Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations). Inspect Downloads entries manually before removing.
• Run Disk Cleanup: Start > Disk Cleanup > choose C: > Clean up system files > confirm. Use this to remove leftover update files only if you do not expect to roll back an update.
• Run wsreset.exe if Microsoft Store is misbehaving.
• Flush DNS: open elevated Command Prompt and run ipconfig /flushdns.
• Decide whether to enable Storage Sense and configure the frequency and thresholds.
• For stubborn app problems, use Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Advanced options > Reset.

Follow this order to remove most transient problems while keeping the process reversible if anything goes wrong.

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Recent Windows behavior to be aware of (privacy and policy changes)​

Microsoft adjusted how some data is stored and surfaced: location history’s local storage was removed in March 2025, and some cloud-linked location activity is managed via the Microsoft account privacy dashboard rather than (or in addition to) local Settings. That means that pressing Clear on a device might not remove every trace if data is also stored in the cloud — you’ll need to clear cloud activity via your Microsoft account privacy dashboard for a full wipe. Because UI presence and behavior vary by Windows build and account configuration, treat any “missing” buttons as expected on some systems.

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Final quick reference: essential commands and locations​

• Cleanup recommendations: Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
• Disk Cleanup (GUI): Start > Disk Cleanup (or run cleanmgr.exe). For command line and scheduling: cleanmgr /sageset:1 and cleanmgr /sagerun:1.
• Storage Sense: Start > Settings > System > Storage > Storage Sense.
• Flush DNS: elevated Command Prompt → ipconfig /flushdns.
• Reset Microsoft Store cache: Windows + R → wsreset.exe.
• Clear location history (if present): Settings > Privacy & security > Location > Clear. If the button is missing, clear location activity from the account privacy dashboard.

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Conclusion​

Cleaning a new Windows 11 PC is best done in layers: start with Windows’ recommended GUI tools, then use Disk Cleanup and Storage Sense for deeper or automated maintenance, and finally target specific caches (DNS, Store, app caches) for problem-driven fixes. These built-in utilities are capable, safe when used with a brief backup and restore point, and preferable to aggressive third-party sweepers for most users. Remember that caches accelerate everyday tasks — the goal is to remove bloat and corruption, not all cached data. With a simple, regular maintenance routine you’ll keep your Windows 11 machine tidy, responsive, and ready for whatever you throw at it.

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Source: ZDNET Leaving Windows 10 today? How to clear your new Windows 11 PC cache (and start fresh)