How to Clean Up Restore and Cache Files on Windows

What Causes This?

Windows stores restore points, update leftovers, temporary files, and app caches so it can recover from problems and load things faster. Over time, these files can grow much larger than expected, especially after major Windows updates, driver installs, or long periods without cleanup. If System Restore is using too much disk space or cache folders are never cleared, your drive can fill up quickly.

Common Symptoms

• You get low disk space warnings on your system drive
• Storage settings shows a large amount of space used by temporary files or system files
• Disk Cleanup finds several gigabytes of old restore or cache data
• Windows updates or app installs fail because there is not enough free space
• Your PC feels slower when the drive is nearly full

How to Fix It Manually

1. Check what is using space

   1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
   2. Go to System > Storage.
   3. Wait for Windows to calculate usage, then review categories like Temporary files, System & reserved, and Apps.

2. Delete temporary and cache files from Storage

   1. In Settings > System > Storage, click Temporary files.
   2. Let Windows scan the drive.
   3. Check items such as Temporary files, Delivery Optimization Files, DirectX Shader Cache, Thumbnails, and Windows Update Cleanup.
   4. Do not select Downloads unless you are sure you want to remove those files.
   5. Click Remove files.

3. Clean old restore points with Disk Cleanup

   1. Press Windows, type Disk Cleanup, then open it.
   2. Select your C: drive and click OK.
   3. Click Clean up system files.
   4. Select C: again if prompted.
   5. Open the More Options tab.
   6. Under System Restore and Shadow Copies, click Clean up.
   7. Confirm to delete all but the most recent restore point.

4. Reduce System Restore disk usage

   1. Press Windows, type Create a restore point, and open it.
   2. In the System Protection tab, select your system drive and click Configure.
   3. Under Disk Space Usage, move the Max Usage slider lower.
   4. If restore data is very large, click Delete to remove existing restore points, then click Apply.
   5. Keep System Protection turned on if you want Windows to keep creating restore points.

5. Clear app and browser cache

   1. Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and press Enter.
   2. Select the files and folders you do not need, then delete them. Skip anything Windows says is currently in use.
   3. Press Windows + R again, type temp, and repeat the cleanup if allowed.
   4. Open your browser settings and clear cached images and files if browser storage is using a lot of space.

6. Restart and verify free space

   1. Restart your PC.
   2. Go back to Settings > System > Storage.
   3. Confirm that free space has increased and temporary/system file usage has dropped.

Fix It Automatically with Kudu

Kudu can scan your PC for oversized restore data, temporary files, and cache buildup, then clean up what is safe to remove without you digging through multiple Windows menus. It is a faster way to recover space and keep your system from filling up again.

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