How to Clear Cache on Explorer

People often search for “clear cache on Explorer” when File Explorer shows old thumbnails, slow folder previews, or information that seems out of date. In Windows, the term can mean several things: thumbnail files, temporary files, or File Explorer’s recent-history list. These are separate items, and clearing one will not necessarily fix the others.

The steps below use built-in Windows tools and apply to recent Windows versions. Menu names and locations may differ slightly by version. Clearing temporary cache files is generally safe, but review the items selected before you confirm; avoid deleting personal files or downloads unless that is what you intend.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC and access to its desktop.
A few minutes to let Windows scan and remove temporary files.
Administrator access may be needed for some cleanup options. If this is a work or school computer, follow your organization’s device rules.

Step-by-Step

Choose what you want to clear. If pictures or videos show the wrong preview, target the thumbnail cache. If folders open slowly or Windows is low on space, review temporary files. If you want to remove the folders and files shown under Home or Quick access, clear File Explorer history instead. These actions are not interchangeable.
Open Disk Cleanup for thumbnails. Select Start, type Disk Cleanup, and open the result. If Windows asks you to choose a drive, select the drive where Windows is installed, usually C:, and select OK. Wait for the scan to finish.
Select the thumbnail cache. In the list of files to delete, find and check Thumbnails. You can also select other categories, but read each description first. Do not check items such as Downloads or Recycle Bin unless you specifically want to remove their contents.
Confirm the cleanup. Select OK, then choose Delete Files when prompted. Windows removes the selected cache files. It may take a little time, and the screen may not show a detailed progress message.
Restart File Explorer if needed. Close and reopen File Explorer, or restart the computer. Browse to the affected folder and give Windows time to build fresh thumbnails. The first view may take longer because the previews are being recreated.
Use Storage settings as an alternative. Open Settings, then go to System > Storage > Temporary files. The exact path may differ slightly by version. Let Windows calculate the available categories, inspect the list, select only the items you mean to remove, and choose the button to remove them. Do not select Downloads unless you intend to delete its contents.
Clear File Explorer history separately. Search Start for File Explorer Options and open it. On the General tab, find the Privacy section and select Clear, if that control is available. This clears history used for recent files and frequent folders; it does not erase your documents or clear every Windows cache.
Check the result. Reopen the folder or view that had the issue. If the same preview or behavior remains, make sure you cleared the relevant type of cache, then try restarting Windows. Some changes may take time to appear while Windows rebuilds thumbnails.

Common Mistakes

Assuming there is one Explorer cache. Thumbnails, temporary files, and recent-history information are different. Clearing recent history will not repair a broken thumbnail preview.
Selecting every cleanup category. Disk Cleanup and Storage settings can list items that are not merely cache. Read the descriptions, especially for Downloads, Recycle Bin, and previous Windows installation files, before selecting anything.
Expecting thumbnails to stay gone. Windows creates new thumbnail files as you browse. Clearing them is a refresh, not a permanent way to disable previews.
Deleting folders manually. Do not remove unfamiliar system folders or cache files by hand. Use Windows’ cleanup controls to avoid removing files needed by apps or the operating system.
Confusing cache with cloud synchronization. If a file in a cloud-synced folder is missing or out of date, clearing thumbnails may not fix it. Check the sync app and whether the file is available locally.

Tips

Start with the narrowest cleanup that fits the symptom. For an incorrect picture preview, clear thumbnails rather than every temporary-file category.
Close open File Explorer windows before cleanup if a folder is actively displaying files. This can make it easier to tell whether the previews refreshed afterward.
Keep a copy of important files before making broad changes to temporary-file selections. Cache cleanup should not target personal files, but reviewing selections prevents accidental removal.
If only one folder has the problem, check that its contents have finished copying or syncing before clearing the cache. An incomplete transfer can look like an Explorer preview issue.
Restarting the computer is usually unnecessary for routine cleanup, but it can help if Explorer is stuck or does not refresh after the cache is cleared.

Troubleshooting

Disk Cleanup is missing or will not open: Search Start for Disk Cleanup again and confirm you are opening the Windows utility, not a web result. If it is unavailable on your device, use Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files, noting that the menu path can vary by Windows version.

The Thumbnails option is not listed: Windows may have nothing to remove, or the cleanup screen may show a different set of categories. Try Storage settings. If the issue is specifically a preview, restart Explorer or the PC and check whether Windows regenerates it.

Thumbnails still look wrong: Confirm the files open correctly and that you are viewing a folder type that supports previews. Close and reopen the folder, then restart the computer. If only a particular file fails, the file itself or its format may be the cause rather than the cache.

Temporary files return immediately: Windows and apps create temporary data during normal use. Some files may be in use and cannot be removed until the relevant app closes or the computer restarts. A cache reappearing does not necessarily mean cleanup failed.

You cannot change a setting: A managed work or school device may restrict cleanup controls, or your Windows account may lack permission. Contact the device administrator rather than trying to bypass the restriction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing the Explorer cache delete my files?

Clearing thumbnails or File Explorer history does not delete your documents, photos, or folders. However, cleanup tools may also offer categories such as Downloads or Recycle Bin, so check every selection before confirming.

How do I clear thumbnail cache in Windows 11?

Open Disk Cleanup from Start, select the Windows drive, check Thumbnails, and confirm deletion. You can also review Temporary files in Storage settings; menu labels may vary slightly by version.

Will clearing cache make File Explorer faster?

It can help if stale thumbnails or temporary data are contributing to a particular problem, but it is not a general speed-up. Windows rebuilds thumbnails as needed, and other causes may require separate troubleshooting.

How often should I clear File Explorer cache?

There is no required schedule. Clear the relevant cache when previews are stale or a specific issue calls for it; routine removal is not necessary for most people.

Is clearing File Explorer history the same as clearing thumbnails?

No. File Explorer history removes recent-file and frequent-folder entries from its interface. Thumbnail cleanup removes preview images Windows stores for folders and media files.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.