Windows Cache

A guide to purging operating system caches, font caches, thumbnail databases, and update stores safely.

---

Primary Windows Cache Types

1. Windows Thumbnail Cache

• Location: AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db
• Purpose: Stores image and video previews for Windows File Explorer.
• Cleanup Impact: Safe to remove. Windows will automatically regenerate thumbnails when you browse folders.

2. Windows Update Download Cache

• Location: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
• Purpose: Holds update packages downloaded via Windows Update.
• Cleanup Impact: Safe to clean once updates have been successfully installed.

3. DirectX & GPU Shader Cache

• Location: AppData\Local\D3DSCache, AppData\Local\NVIDIA\DXCache, AppData\Local\AMD\DxCache
• Purpose: Pre-compiled graphics shaders for games and 3D applications.
• Cleanup Impact: Safe to purge when experiencing game stuttering or needing urgent disk space.

4. Delivery Optimization Files

• Purpose: Peer-to-peer Windows update cache shared with other local network computers.
• Cleanup Impact: 100% Safe to delete.

---

Safe Cleaning with ClearKun

In ClearKun:

1. Open Safe Cleaning > Windows Cache.
2. Select the cache components you want to clear.
3. Click Clean Selected. ClearKun safely releases locked handles and purges stale caches.

---

Next Steps

• Downloads Cleaning
• Safe Cleaning
• Storage Dashboard