How to clear the cache in Windows 11? That is one of the most common questions PC users have, and for a very good reason. If your computer is starting to feel sluggish, load times are getting longer, or applications are acting strange, the culprit is often a buildup of old, unnecessary files—better known as the “cache.”
Think of the cache like clutter in your computer’s brain. While it’s meant to speed things up (by saving temporary data for quick access), too much of it can have the opposite effect. Over time, these files take up valuable disk space and can slow down your entire system.
The great news is that Windows 11 gives you several easy ways to clear this digital junk and reclaim your PC’s speed. We’re going to walk through the most effective methods, covering everything from temporary files to browser data.
Why Should You Bother Clearing the Cache?
Before we dive into the “how,” let’s quickly cover the “why.” Clearing your cache regularly can:
- Improve Performance: Free up space on your hard drive and make your PC feel snappier.
- Fix Software Glitches: Sometimes, corrupt cache files can cause applications or even Windows itself to crash or behave erratically.
- Protect Privacy: Clear browsing history and saved website data that you don’t want hanging around.
- Reclaim Storage: This is especially important if you have a smaller SSD (Solid State Drive). Cache files can sometimes grow to be several gigabytes!
Method 1: The Easiest Way – Using Windows 11 Settings (Storage Sense)
Windows 11 has a powerful built-in tool that makes this process extremely simple. It’s called Storage Sense.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open the Settings app. You can do this quickly by pressing the Windows key + I on your keyboard.
- In the left-hand menu, click on System.
- Click on Storage in the main panel.
- At the top, you will see a breakdown of your drives. Click on Temporary files.
- Windows will scan your PC and present a list of files you can safely remove. This list includes files like:
- Delivery Optimization Files (used for Windows updates)
- Windows Update Cleanup
- Thumbnails
- Temporary files (the main target!)
- Check the boxes next to the types of cache you want to remove. Tip: Double-check the Downloads folder before checking it, as this will delete your downloaded items.
- Once your selections are made, click the blue Remove files button at the top.
Pro-Tip: While on the Storage page, you can also click Storage Sense and turn it on. This will automatically clear temporary files and recycle bin contents when your drive is running low on space or on a set schedule—it’s the best set-it-and-forget-it solution for maintaining speed.
Method 2: The Classic Way – Using the Disk Cleanup Utility
This utility has been around for ages, and it’s still a reliable way to get rid of system-level junk.
- Open the Start menu and type Disk Cleanup. Click on the result to open the app.
- If you have multiple drives, select your main system drive (usually C:).
- The tool will open and immediately give you a list of files to delete, similar to the Settings app.
- For a deeper clean, click the Clean up system files button in the bottom left. This requires administrative permission but will unlock more advanced cache cleaning options, such as removing old Windows installation files that can take up dozens of gigabytes.
- Select the files you want to delete and click OK, then confirm by clicking Delete Files.
Method 3: Clearing the DNS Cache
Your Domain Name System (DNS) cache stores the IP addresses of the websites you visit to load them faster next time. Sometimes this cache can become corrupted, leading to website loading errors or an inability to reach certain sites.
This type of cache needs to be cleared using the Command Prompt:
- Click the Start button and type CMD. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as written, then press Enter:
ipconfig /flushdns - You should see a message confirming: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”
This is a great fix for network issues!
Method 4: Clearing Microsoft Store Cache
If you notice the Microsoft Store app is slow, won’t load, or has issues downloading apps, its cache might need to be refreshed.
- Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type WSReset.exe and click OK or press Enter.
- A black Command Prompt window will briefly appear.
- After a few seconds, the window will disappear, and the Microsoft Store will automatically open, now with a completely clean cache.
Method 5: Clearing Your Browser Cache (Essential for Web Speed)
While the above methods handle Windows and system apps, your web browser is likely the biggest cache hog. Every major browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) stores copies of images, scripts, and media from the websites you visit.
The process is generally the same for all modern browsers. Here’s the common shortcut:
- Open your browser.
- Press the shortcut keys: Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
- This opens the “Clear browsing data” or “Clear history” window.
- Make sure to select the Time range (All time is best for a deep clean).
- Check the boxes for Cached images and files (and Cookies, if you want to be logged out of sites).
- Click Clear data or Clear now.
This single step can dramatically improve website loading times and fix odd display issues on various sites.
Final Thoughts on Cache Maintenance
Knowing how to clear the cache in Windows 11 is a foundational skill for maintaining a fast, reliable, and smooth-running PC.
You don’t need to do all of these steps every day, but making them part of a monthly routine will keep your system running like new. For most users, simply running Storage Sense (Method 1) once a week and clearing their Browser Cache (Method 5) every couple of weeks will provide the perfect balance between convenience and performance.