Clearing your cache in Windows 10 is frequently recommended by Microsoft to make your PC run faster and to free up more hard drive space for apps, games, and files. Cache refers to a collection of temporary files created by a Windows 10 app or program, as well as the operating system itself. If your cache accumulates over time, it may result in the dreaded Windows 10 blue screen or other unexpected issues. Find out How to Clear Your Cache in Windows 10?
The temporary files cache can be found in the Disk Cleanup program, which can be accessed through the File Explorer options menu in Windows. Windows 10 uses temporary files to help the operating system function, as many of us already know from Windows Update. These temporary file caches can become corrupted or too large at times, causing your Windows 10 PC to bog down and slow down.
If you’re running out of storage space or your Windows 10 PC is running slower than usual, it’s probably time to clear your cache. In Windows 10, there are three ways to clear your cache.
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Disk Cleanup
- Click the Start button, or type “Disk Cleanup” into the search box.
- When the Disk Cleanup app opens, select “Temporary files” from the drop-down menu. Select the checkboxes next to any other files or folders you want to delete. Clean up system files is another option. Either option will remove all files from your Windows 10 computer.
- Select OK.
Disk Cleanup may take a while to complete the process, but your temporary files cache, as well as any other files you choose to delete, will be cleared.
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File Explorer History
All you have to do to get File Explorer History in Windows 10 is open a folder. After you’ve opened a folder, follow these steps:
- Click File.
- Click Options.
- Click Clear next to Clear File Explorer History.
- Click OK to finish.
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Microsoft Edge Cache
Cleaning out your cache is likely to be similar across browsers, depending on which one you use. If you’re having trouble opening websites, you may need to clear your cache on a regular basis. Most browsers, including Microsoft Edge, allow you to clear your cache when you close the browser, but in case you forgot, here’s a refresher.
Following these steps will clear the Microsoft Edge cache:
- Click the three dot menu in the upper right-hand corner.
- Click Settings then click Privacy and services.
- Click Choose what to clear (blue button) to the right of Clear browsing data now.
- Choose the Time range and the box next to Cache images and files.
- Click Clear now.
Microsoft Edge has settings that allow you to automatically clear your browser cache. If you want to change what you clear when you exit Edge, go to step three and click Choose what to clear every time your browser closes under Choose what to clear.
You can then toggle other items, such as browsing and download history, cookies, site permissions, and more, to be cleared every time you close Edge. Having the option to automatically clean your browser of unwanted junk that can slow down your Windows 10 PC is useful. What other things can you do to keep your Windows 10 PC running smoothly besides Disk Cleanup, File Explorer History, and browser cache?
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