How to clear computer cache on Windows 11?

Windows temporary folders can build up fast with leftover installer files, app caches, update fragments, crash logs, and other “safe-to-delete” junk. Clearing Windows Temp and User Temp is a simple way to free space and remove clutter, most of it is not needed anymore, and anything still required will usually be locked and can be skipped safely.

You can follow the steps in below to clear computer cache in Windows 11 for removing tmp files and folders.

1. Close apps you’re actively using (especially browsers, installers, and editors).
2. Press Win + R, type temp, then press Enter.
3. In the Temp folder, press Ctrl + A to select all → press Delete.
4. If you get a prompt saying some files are in use, choose Skip (do not force-delete).
5. Press Win + R again, type %temp%, then press Enter.
6. Press Ctrl + A → Delete again, and Skip anything in use.
7. (Optional, extra cleanup) Press Win + R, type prefetch, press Enter. Delete what it lets you (some may be protected/in use).
8. Empty the Recycle Bin to actually reclaim the space.
9. Restart your PC (optional, but it helps release locked temp files and smooth things out).

Deleting files in temp and %temp% is one of the safest manual ways to clear computer cache on Windows 11 without Disk Cleanup. Just delete what you can and skip anything locked, Windows and your apps will recreate needed temp files automatically.