How to clear the cache on a Windows 10 computer in 3 ways to help it run more efficiently

Windows is chock full of temporary files that help the operating system do its job. Occasionally, these file caches can become corrupted, or get so large that they interfere with the performance of your computer.

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  • You should occasionally clear the cache on your Windows 10 computer, to help your system run faster and reclaim disk space.
  • A cache is a set of temporary files used by a program or the operating system. 
  • Sometimes, the cache in Windows can slow down your PC, or cause other problems. 
  • The temporary files cache is found in the Disk Cleanup program, and your File Explorer history can be cleared from the File Explorer's options menu. 
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Windows is chock full of temporary files that help the operating system do its job. Occasionally, these file caches can become corrupted, or get so large that they interfere with the performance of your computer. 

If you're running low on storage space, or notice some unusual behavior from Windows 10, one of the first things you can do is clear the cache. 

In particular, there are two caches you should know how to reset: temporary files and file explorer history.

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How to clear the temporary files cache on Windows 10 using Disk Cleanup

1. Click Start, and then type "Disk Cleanup."

2. Click Disk Cleanup when it appears in the search results. 

3. Make sure that drive "C:" is selected, and click "OK."

4. Check the box next to "Temporary files." It's up to you if you check other kinds of files. 

You can clear the temporary files cache from Disk Cleanup. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

5. Click "OK."

It may take a few moments, but your temporary files cache will be cleared.

How to clear the File Explorer history on Windows 10

1. Open any File Explorer window. One way to do this is to open a folder, or click the File Explorer icon in the Windows taskbar at the bottom of the screen. 

2. Click the "View" tab at the top of the window. 

3. In the ribbon, click "Options."

4. On the General tab in the Privacy section, click "Clear."

The File Explorer maintains its own cache which you can clear to improve performance or reclaim disk space. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to clear browser cache on Windows 10

In addition to these important caches, you might also occasionally need to clear the cache in your web browser, especially if you have trouble consistently opening certain web pages. 

  • In Google Chrome, click the three-dot menu at the upper right, scroll to the History tab, and click "History" in the menu that appears. Then click "Clear browsing data," and then "Clear data."

For more information, see our article, "How to clear the cache on a Google Chrome browser to make it run more efficiently."

You can find Chrome's cache in the History settings. Dave Johnson/Business Insider
  • In Firefox, click the three horizontal lines to open the menu. Then choose "Options." On the "Privacy & Security" page, click "Clear History…" Then click "Clear Now."
Firefox's cache is found in the Privacy & Security section. Dave Johnson/Business Insider
  • In Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu and then "Settings." In the Clear browsing data section, click "Choose what to clear," and then click "Clear." 

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Dave Johnson Freelance Writer Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider. Read more Read less

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