Google Chrome
Chrome stores several layers of local browsing data under each profile, including the HTTP disk cache, Code Cache for compiled JavaScript and WebAssembly, GPUCache for Skia and shader artifacts, media cache, and SQLite databases such as History, Favicons, and Top Sites. These files speed up page loads, video playback, site rendering, and address bar suggestions, but they can become stale, oversized, or fragmented after browser updates, driver changes, and heavy browsing. Kudu clears disposable Chrome cache data and can compact profile databases by vacuuming fragmented SQLite files, without touching saved passwords, bookmarks, cookies you still use for sign-in, or account data.
Why clean Google Chrome?
- Corrupted HTTP disk cache entries make pages load with missing CSS, broken images, or old versions of a site until Chrome fetches everything again
- Invalidated Code Cache after a Chrome update leaves stale compiled JavaScript and WebAssembly artifacts, which often shows up as unusually slow first loads on complex web apps
- GPUCache data from an older graphics driver can no longer match the current rendering pipeline, causing black boxes, flickering, or stutter until the cache is rebuilt
- An oversized media cache keeps old audio and video segments around, which can contribute to buffering loops or playback glitches on streaming sites
- Favicons and Top Sites databases accumulate stale records, so wrong site icons and outdated new tab thumbnails keep appearing even after pages have changed
- History and Favicons are stored in SQLite databases that fragment over time; VACUUM rewrites the database into a compact layout without deleting rows, which can reduce profile size and improve responsiveness in the address bar and history views
Cache paths Kudu targets
These databases are vacuumed (compacted) — no data is deleted. SQLite VACUUM reclaims wasted space left over from normal usage.
Windows
%LocalAppData%/Google/Chrome/User Data |
macOS
~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome |
Linux
~/.config/google-chrome |
Common questions about Google Chrome
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.