How to Clear Cache in Windows Explorer
As a user of Windows Explorer, you might encounter situations where the cache becomes cluttered, leading to slower performance and potential issues with file access. Clearing the cache in Windows Explorer can help resolve these problems and improve your overall experience. In this article, we will guide you through the process of clearing the cache in Windows Explorer, ensuring a smoother and more efficient browsing experience.
Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand what the cache is and why it’s important to clear it. The cache is a temporary storage area where Windows Explorer stores frequently accessed files and data. This helps to speed up the loading of files and reduces the time it takes to access them. However, over time, the cache can become outdated or filled with unnecessary files, which can cause performance issues.
Here’s how to clear the cache in Windows Explorer:
- Open Windows Explorer: Press the Windows key + E to open Windows Explorer.
- Open the folder containing the cache: Navigate to the following path:
C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer. Replace “YourUsername” with your actual username. - Delete the contents of the cache folder: Inside the Explorer folder, you will find a folder named “IconCache.db”. This is where the cache is stored. Delete this folder to clear the cache.
- Restart Windows Explorer: Close Windows Explorer and reopen it to ensure the changes take effect.
By following these steps, you should have successfully cleared the cache in Windows Explorer. This should help improve the performance of your system and ensure that you have the most up-to-date information when browsing files and folders.
It’s worth noting that clearing the cache can sometimes cause temporary issues, such as icons not displaying correctly or files taking longer to load. However, these issues should resolve themselves within a few minutes as Windows Explorer rebuilds the cache.
Regularly clearing the cache in Windows Explorer can help maintain a fast and efficient browsing experience. If you notice any performance issues or inconsistencies, don’t hesitate to clear the cache to resolve them.
