Every Windows device slowly gathers dust — not the physical kind, but the small digital leftovers that accumulate quietly over time. Temporary files, browser cache, RAM cache, old update files, and GPU shader data all sit in corners of your system, slowly expanding and weighing everything down. You notice it in tiny delays, apps taking a bit longer to open, or your C-drive turning red without warning.
This article walks you through every essential method to clean Windows 10 and Windows 11 properly. If done the right way, you can reclaim gigabytes of space and even see noticeable improvements in speed.
Let’s go through each step slowly, clearly, and in the same natural flow you would follow while actually performing these actions on your PC.
Clearing Basic Temporary Files (Temp, %temp%, Prefetch)
Before we move into system-level cleaning, it helps to start with the basic temporary folders. These usually store leftover installation files, discarded project data, and things Windows no longer needs.
But instead of deleting randomly, we’ll go step by step so nothing feels confusing.
The Temp Folder
We begin with the most straightforward cache location.
Right-click the Windows icon and open Run.
Type:
temp
Press OK.
A folder opens filled with temporary files. These can be safely removed.
- Press Ctrl + A to select everything
- Press Shift + Delete to permanently delete
- Check the confirmation box
- Click Continue when prompted
- Skip files that Windows refuses to delete
You can now close the folder.
The %temp% Folder
This one stores temporary files created by applications, not just Windows.
Right-click Windows icon → Run → type:
%temp%
Press OK and repeat the same cleaning steps:
- Ctrl + A
- Shift + Delete
- Confirm
You’ll often see hundreds of megabytes vanish in seconds.
The Prefetch Folder
This folder contains cached instructions to help apps launch faster. Clearing it occasionally does no harm.
Right-click Windows icon → Run → type:
prefetch
Press OK.
If prompted for permission, continue.
Select all files → Shift + Delete → delete permanently.
Even if the folder looks empty, the intention is the same: regularly refreshing it resets older cached instructions.
With these three folders cleared, we’ve removed the most basic junk. Now let’s go deeper.
Deleting Old Windows Update Files
Your next target lives inside the Windows directory itself. Updates often leave behind massive leftover files, and these can easily fill hundreds of megabytes — sometimes gigabytes.
Open File Explorer → go to Local Disk (C:) → open the Windows folder.
Scroll down or press S to quickly jump to entries starting with S.
Find this folder:
SoftwareDistribution
Open it → then open Download.
Everything inside this folder can be removed.
Press Ctrl + A → Shift + Delete → confirm → Continue.
These are simply temporary update packages that Windows has already applied.
With this step done, many users see immediate free-space improvements.
Clearing Recent File History From File Explorer
Windows also keeps track of files you’ve opened recently, along with frequently accessed folders.
To reset this:
Open File Explorer, click the three dots in the toolbar → choose Options.
In the Privacy section at the bottom:
- Check Show recently used files
- Check Show frequently used folders
These boxes must be checked temporarily so the Clear button below becomes relevant.
Click Clear to wipe all recent activity logs.
Close the window.
Using Disk Cleanup to Remove Hidden Cache and System Junk
Now that the simple areas are clean, let’s use Windows’ built-in tool to wipe deeper system caches.
Open Windows Search → type:
Disk Cleanup
Choose C: Drive and press OK.
Disk Cleanup will scan your system for cleanup candidates. When the list appears, make sure to review and select items such as:
- Windows Update Cleanup
- Windows Defender Antivirus cache
- Windows Upgrade Log Files
- Temporary Internet Files
- DirectX Shader Cache
- Recycle Bin
- Temporary Files
- System Error Memory Dump Files
- Delivery Optimization Files
Windows will show you how much space each category occupies.
Once you’ve selected everything you want cleaned, click OK → Delete Files.
Disk Cleanup is one of the most thorough tools for removing Microsoft-generated junk safely.
Clearing the RAM Cache Using RAMMap (Microsoft Tool)
At this point, most visible storage junk is gone. But your PC also stores standby cache in RAM. This is memory that Windows reserves for quicker access — but sometimes it balloons unnecessarily and slows down your system.
Microsoft provides a tool called RAMMap.
Download RAMMap from Official Microsoft
Open any browser and search for:
RAMMap Microsoft
Open the official Microsoft Learn link.
Here is the direct official page:
https://learn.microsoft.com/sysinternals/downloads/rammap
Download RAMMap → extract the ZIP → right-click RAMMap64.exe → choose Run as Administrator.
You’ll see a dashboard of how your RAM is being used.
Before clearing anything, open Task Manager → go to Performance → Memory.
Take note of your current cache usage. It might be:
- 3.8 GB
- 4.6 GB
- or something similar depending on apps you recently used
Clearing RAM Standby Cache
In RAMMap:
- Click Empty in the top menu
- Select Empty Standby List
Watch Task Manager again — that large block of cache (often gigabytes) instantly drops to a few hundred megabytes.
This frees RAM for active apps and can noticeably improve responsiveness.
Clearing Network Cache and Microsoft Store Cache
Sometimes slow pages, failed downloads, or Wi-Fi misbehavior can be caused by corrupt network cache.
Flush DNS Cache
Open Start → search CMD → select Run as administrator.
Type:
ipconfig /flushdns
Press Enter.
You should see:
Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.
Reset Microsoft Store Cache
Still in CMD, type:
wsreset.exe
Press Enter.
This clears cached store data and automatically launches the Microsoft Store afterward.
Clearing GPU Cache (NVIDIA or AMD)
Your graphics drivers generate shader cache files to speed up rendering. These files are safe to delete and often solve stuttering issues.
For AMD Graphics
Right-click desktop → open AMD Software → click Gaming → Graphics → scroll to Advanced.
Find Reset Shader Cache → click it → choose OK.
For NVIDIA Graphics
Right-click Start → Run → type:
%localappdata%
Press OK.
Look for the NVIDIA folder → open it.
You’ll find:
- GLCache
- DXCache
Open each folder and delete all files inside.
These will automatically regenerate when needed.
Clearing Browser Cache and History
We’re now at the final and equally important step: browser cleanup. Even the fastest PC feels slow if the browser is drowning in cached data.
Open your browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox — steps are similar).
Click the three dots → Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear Browsing Data.
Set the Time Range to All Time.
Select categories such as:
- Browsing history
- Cookies and site data
- Cached images and files
- Download history
- Site settings
Important: Do NOT check saved passwords or autofill data unless you intentionally want to remove them.
Click Delete Data.
Your browser will feel lighter immediately — pages load faster, errors disappear, and memory usage improves.
Final Thoughts
When you follow every step in this guide, you’re not just clearing a single type of cache — you’re wiping temporary files, outdated update packages, RAM buildup, GPU residue, browser junk, and even network clutter.
This complete deep-clean often results in:
- Better boot time
- Faster app launches
- More available RAM
- Smoother browsing
- Several gigabytes of recovered storage
Windows doesn’t always make these processes obvious, but once you understand each corner of the operating system, maintenance becomes a simple and empowering routine.
Disclaimer
Deleting system files should be done exactly as described. Do not remove files outside the specified folders. System folders like Windows, System32, or Program Files must never be modified manually beyond the steps listed here.
#Windows11 #Windows10 #ClearCache #PCMaintenance #SpeedUpPC #WindowsTips
