Dealing with cache files in Windows 11 can be a bit of a headache, especially if your system starts feeling sluggish or you’re just running out of space faster than expected. Cache files are those temporary bits of data stored by apps and the OS to speed things up—they’re handy, but pile up over time and can slow things down or eat up storage. While using Storage Sense to automate cleanup is a decent start, sometimes a more manual approach or deeper cleaning with Disk Cleanup is needed, especially if you notice general performance drops or storage warnings. This guide walks through some practical ways to clear out those pesky cache files, hopefully making your PC run a bit smoother and freeing up some space, without risking anything important.
How to Fix Cache Files in Windows 11
Method 1: Enable and Use Storage Sense for Auto-Cleaning
On some setups, Storage Sense is enabled by default, but on others, you might need to turn it on manually. It’s kind of weird, but enabling it can automatically delete temporary files, including some cache files at regular intervals. This is useful if you don’t want to think about manual cleanup all the time.
- Go to Settings —System — Storage.
- Scroll down and toggle Storage Sense to On.
- Click on Configure Storage Sense or run it now.
- Here, you can customize how often it runs and what it deletes. For example, set it to clear temporary files every week or so, making it almost hands-free. Sometimes, you’ll need to run it manually by clicking Run Storage Sense now.
This method is perfect if you want a set-it-and-forget-it solution, especially on regular use machines. On some systems, the first run of Storage Sense might not clean everything, but after a reboot or two, it usually gets more aggressive.
Method 2: Use Disk Cleanup for Deeper Cleaning
If Storage Sense doesn’t quite cut it or you want more control, Disk Cleanup is where the real magic happens. It’s a built-in tool that lets you choose exactly what to delete—system files, leftover cache, old Windows updates, and more. Kind of a spring cleaning for your drive, but with more finesse.
- Search for Disk Cleanup in the Start menu, right-click, and choose Run as administrator.
- Select the drive you want to clean (usually C:), then click OK.
- In the scan window, check the boxes next to Temporary files, Thumbnails, and other categories you’re okay deleting.
- Click Clean up system files for additional options like cleanup of system update files or old corrupt restore points. This can take a few extra seconds.
On one setup it worked pretty smoothly the first time, but on others, you might need to run it twice or restart afterward. Be cautious to review what you’re deleting—sometimes, some cache files or update leftovers are tempting to remove, but better safe than sorry.
Option 1: Clear Browser Cache and App Data Manually
Sometimes, you know specifically which app or browser cache is causing issues. Clearing those can be surprisingly simple and quick:
- Open your browser and go to settings, then find the section for clearing browsing data. For Chrome, it’s Settings > Privacy & Security > Clear browsing data.
- Choose the time range (e.g., last hour, all time), check Cached images and files, then hit Clear data.
- For other apps, check their own cache clearance options or manually delete cache folders inside AppData (found at
C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local).
Keep in mind, this isn’t a deep system thing but can help speed up specific app performance. Just be careful not to delete anything essential.
Other tips if cleanup still doesn’t help
Sometimes, cache buildup isn’t the culprit but other factors like background processes, heavy startup items, or malware. Make sure your system is fully updated, run a malware scan (using tools like Windows Defender), and disable unnecessary startup programs via Task Manager > Startup. If your PC is still slow after cleaning, maybe consider more advanced tools like Winhance for system optimization.
It’s kinda weird how Windows makes clearing cache feel like a mini project, but once you get the hang of these methods, it’s pretty straightforward. Doesn’t hurt to periodically wipe out those temp files—keeps everything snappy and gives some peace of mind, too.