Over time, your PC accumulates temporary files and cached data that can slow down your system, cause errors, and take up valuable storage space. Clearing the cache in Windows 10 is a vital maintenance task that can enhance your computer’s performance and resolve various issues. By removing these unnecessary files, you can ensure your system runs smoothly and efficiently.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to effectively clear your cache in Windows 10, helping you optimize your PC’s speed and free up disk space.
Remove Temporary Files Using Disk Cleanup
To start, open the Start Menu and type “Disk Cleanup” in the search bar. Select the “Disk Cleanup” application from the search results.
The tool will begin analyzing how much space you can free up on your system drive (typically the C: drive) or any other drive you choose. On modern SSDs, this analysis is quick and may complete almost instantly. Once the analysis is done, the Disk Cleanup window for your selected drive will appear.
In this window, scroll down and check the box next to “Temporary Files.” You can also choose to remove files from other locations, such as the “Recycle Bin” or “Downloads” folder, depending on your needs.
After selecting the items you wish to clear, click on “Clean Up System Files.” Windows will then re-calculate the amount of space that will be freed.
You’ll be brought back to the same Disk Cleanup window. Confirm your selections by checking the desired boxes again, then click “OK.”
A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you are sure you want to permanently delete the selected files. Click “Delete Files” to proceed.
Disk Cleanup will now remove the unnecessary files from your computer. This process may take a few minutes to complete.
Flush DNS Cache
To clear your Windows 10 PC’s DNS cache, open Command Prompt as an administrator. Start by clicking the Start button and typing “Command Prompt” in the search bar. When the “Command Prompt” app appears in the search results, right-click it and select “Run As Administrator” from the context menu, or click “Run as Administrator” on the side panel.
Next, enter the following command: ipconfig /flushdns
After running the command, you’ll receive a message confirming that the DNS Resolver Cache has been successfully flushed.
Reset Windows Store Cache
To clear the Windows Store cache, open the “Run” dialog by pressing Windows+R on your keyboard. The “Run” window will appear. In the text box next to “Open,” type WSReset.exe and click “OK.”
A black window will briefly appear, indicating that the cache is being cleared. This process requires no interaction, so wait a few moments. Once the cache is cleared, the Windows Store will open with a blank screen and a loading icon.
After the window closes, the cache is cleared, and the Windows Store will launch. You can close the Windows Store app if you wish.
Purge Location History
To clear the location cache on your Windows 10 PC, start by clicking the “Windows” icon in the bottom-left corner of your desktop to open the Start menu. From there, select the “Gear” icon to open Windows Settings. Alternatively, you can press Windows+I to open the Settings app directly.
In the “Settings” window, scroll down and select the “Privacy” option.
Once you’re in the “Privacy” settings, look for the “Location” option in the left-hand pane under the “App Permissions” section.
In the “Location” settings, scroll down to the “Location History On This Device” section and click the “Clear” button.
This will clear your location history stored on the device, enhancing your privacy and freeing up some storage space.
Conclusion
Clearing various caches on your Windows 10 PC is a straightforward yet effective way to maintain system performance and resolve common issues. By removing temporary files, flushing the DNS cache, resetting the Windows Store cache, and purging location history, you can optimize your computer’s speed, free up valuable storage space, and enhance overall efficiency. Regularly performing these maintenance tasks will help keep your PC running smoothly and ensure a better user experience.
