Docker Desktop
Docker Desktop stores several layers of temporary data on Windows and macOS, including Electron HTTP cache files, V8 Code Cache bytecode, GPUCache shader and rendering blobs, and accumulated host and Linux VM log files from the app shell and backend services. These files speed up the dashboard UI and record background activity from the desktop app, but they can become stale after Docker Desktop, Chromium, or graphics driver updates. Kudu removes those disposable caches and settled host or VM logs while leaving images, containers, volumes, settings, accounts, and credentials untouched.
Why clean Docker Desktop?
- Invalidated Electron V8 Code Cache after a Docker Desktop update can make the dashboard open slowly or feel sluggish until bytecode is rebuilt
- Stale GPUCache data from an older graphics driver or Chromium build can cause blank panes, flickering settings screens, or a black dashboard window
- Corrupted HTTP cache entries can leave extension listings, sign-in pages, or update notices stuck on outdated content until the cache is cleared
- Host and VM log files can quietly grow over time after repeated startup failures or backend retries, leaving users wondering why Docker Desktop is using so much local disk space
- Old cached frontend assets can mismatch the current app version and produce missing icons, broken layout, or buttons that do not respond correctly in the UI
- Large accumulated cache folders increase antivirus and file indexing work on startup, which users notice as slower launches and delayed dashboard responsiveness
Cache paths Kudu targets
Windows
%AppData%/Docker Desktop/cache |
%AppData%/Docker Desktop/Code Cache |
%AppData%/Docker Desktop/GPUCache |
%LocalAppData%/Docker/log/host |
%LocalAppData%/Docker/log/vm |
macOS
~/Library/Caches/com.docker.docker |
Common questions about Docker Desktop
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.