“Cache” means a few different things in Windows 11. To free up space, clear temporary files in Settings > System > Storage. If a website misbehaves, clear your browser’s cache. If Microsoft Store acts up, run wsreset.exe. If websites won’t load at all, flush the DNS cache.
Applies to: Windows 11. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.
Clear temporary files
- Select Start > Settings > System > Storage.
- Select Temporary files.
- Check the kinds of files you want to remove, then select Remove files.
Leave Downloads unchecked unless you’ve saved everything you need from it. To have Windows clean up for you, turn on Storage Sense on the Storage page. When you are ready to clear that folder yourself, see how to delete downloads in Windows 11.
Clear your browser cache in Microsoft Edge
- In Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
- Choose a Time range, check Cached images and files, and select Clear now.
Uncheck anything you want to keep, such as cookies, so websites still remember you.
Clear the Microsoft Store cache
Press Windows logo key + R, type wsreset.exe, and select OK. A blank window opens, then Microsoft Store opens on its own when it’s done.
Clear the DNS cache
Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns, and press Enter. This can help when websites won’t load after a network change.
Clear the thumbnail cache
If File Explorer shows the wrong preview pictures, clear the saved thumbnails. Search Start for Disk Cleanup, open it, choose drive C:, check Thumbnails, and select OK. Windows rebuilds the previews the next time you open each folder.
Clear the File Explorer history
In File Explorer, select See more (the three dots) > Options, and under Privacy select Clear. This empties the recent files list and address bar history without deleting any files.
Clear the Windows Update cache
If updates keep failing to download or install, clearing their cache often helps. Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these three commands, one at a time:
net stop wuauserv
del /q /s C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download\*
net start wuauservThen check for updates again. Windows downloads fresh copies of anything it still needs.
Clear an app’s cached data
Many apps from Microsoft Store keep their own cache. To clear it, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, select the three dots next to the app, and choose Advanced options. Try Repair first, which keeps your data. Reset clears everything the app has stored, including sign-ins and preferences, so you’ll set it up again afterward.
Not every app shows Advanced options. Desktop programs, such as Chrome or Spotify, usually have a clear-cache option in their own settings instead.
Clear the location history
Windows can keep a short history of your device’s location for apps that ask for it. To clear it, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Location, and next to Location history, select Clear.
Have Storage Sense clean up on a schedule
- Go to Settings > System > Storage and select Storage Sense.
- Turn on Automatic User content cleanup.
- Under Run Storage Sense, choose how often it runs, such as every week or when free space is low.
- Choose how long items can stay in the Recycle Bin and the Downloads folder before they’re deleted. Set Downloads to Never if you keep files there.
Select Run Storage Sense now at the bottom of the page to clean up right away with those settings.
If some files won’t delete
- Files in use are skipped. That’s normal. Restart the PC and run the cleanup again before opening other apps.
- Temporary files don’t shrink. Open Disk Cleanup, select Clean up system files, and choose C: again. This adds system items, such as old update files, that the normal view leaves out.
- The Microsoft Store won’t open after wsreset. Restart the PC and open the Store from the Start menu.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to delete temporary files?
Yes. Windows and apps make new ones as needed. Close your apps first so files in use aren’t skipped.
Will clearing the cache make my PC faster?
It frees up space and can fix glitches, but it doesn’t make a big speed difference by itself. Apps rebuild some cache as you use them. To find out how much room you gained, see what’s taking up space on your PC.
How often should I clear the cache?
There’s no need to do it on a schedule. Turn on Storage Sense in Settings > System > Storage to clear temporary files automatically, and clear other caches only when something isn’t working.
For app data folders, see how to find the AppData folder in Windows 11. To remove apps you no longer use, see how to uninstall a program in Windows 11.
For more on the DNS cache, including Microsoft Edge’s own cache, see how to flush the DNS cache in Windows 11.
To see how much space you have before and after, see how to check hard drive space in Windows 11.
If clearing the cache doesn’t fix the browser, try resetting Microsoft Edge settings.
If your drive is still full, see how to free up disk space in Windows 11.
To clear cookies and cached files in Chrome as well, see how to clear cookies in Chrome on Windows 11.
Microsoft’s reference is Free up drive space in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Related: change from Bing to Google on Windows 11.
Related: delete temporary files in Windows 11.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.