Chromium
Chromium stores several layers of temporary browser data under its profile, including HTTP disk cache entries, GPUCache files, Code Cache bytecode for JavaScript and WebAssembly, Service Worker script caches, media cache files, and SQLite journaling files used by internal databases. These speed up page loads, script startup, video playback, and GPU rendering, but they can become stale after browser, site, or graphics driver changes. Kudu removes those disposable caches and temporary database files while leaving bookmarks, saved passwords, cookies you keep, extensions, and profile settings alone.
Why clean Chromium?
- Corrupted HTTP disk cache entries can make specific sites load with missing CSS, broken images, or old page content until the cache is cleared
- Invalidated Code Cache bytecode after a Chromium update or site script change causes unusually slow first loads, repeated recompilation, or tabs that feel stuck before becoming responsive
- Stale GPUCache data after a graphics driver update can trigger black rectangles, flickering video, blank canvases, or choppy scrolling until Chromium rebuilds its shader and GPU resource cache
- Service Worker cache mismatches can keep a site pinned to an outdated offline bundle, so you keep seeing an old version of the app, failed updates, or pages that work only after a hard refresh
- Bloated media cache files from streaming audio and video can consume gigabytes of disk space and coincide with buffering glitches or playback that resumes at low quality
- SQLite page fragmentation in Chromium databases increases wasted space and slower metadata access; VACUUM rewrites the database pages without deleting your saved rows, while Kudu focuses on clearing the temporary files around those stores
- Oversized cache folders with thousands of small entries can increase profile scan time at startup, showing up as slower browser launch, delayed tab restoration, and heavier disk activity
Cache paths Kudu targets
Windows
%LocalAppData%/Chromium/User Data |
macOS
~/Library/Application Support/Chromium |
Linux
~/.config/chromium |
Common questions about Chromium
Download Kudu and reclaim your disk space.
Available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. No account required, no feature gates, no telemetry without consent. All cleaning targets are open source and community-auditable.