Which cache do you mean? For the Microsoft Store cache, press the Windows Logo Key + R, type wsreset.exe and select OK. For temporary files, go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations.
People mean several different things by cache on Windows 11, and Microsoft doesn't offer one button that clears them all. Its Free up drive space page, which I checked as of Nov 2026, names four places, on its Windows 11 steps, that this question usually covers: the Temp folder, the Microsoft Store cache, temporary files and Storage Sense. Only the Store one is called a cache on that page. The rest are about getting rid of files you don't need. I'm treating all four here because that's what people are after when they ask.
One thing this page can't help with. Browser caches aren't covered on Microsoft's page, so you won't find steps for Edge or Chrome here. If it's Outlook's cache you're after, see our separate guide to clearing the cache in Outlook.
The Microsoft Store cache
This is the one literal cache on the list, and the fix takes seconds:
- Press the Windows Logo Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
- Type wsreset.exe and select OK.
- Wait. A blank Command Prompt window opens, and after about ten seconds it closes and the Store opens by itself.
Don't be put off by the blank window. Microsoft tells you to expect it, and it closes by itself.
The Temp folder, when Low Disk Space won't go away
Microsoft only brings the Temp folder up in one situation: you've used Cleanup recommendations, and then a Low Disk Space error appears anyway. It says your Temp folder may be filling quickly with application (.appx) files used by Microsoft Store. Its fix is a set of steps, not a trip into the folder itself:
- Reset Microsoft Store: Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters, then select Run next to Windows Store Apps.
- Clear the Store cache with wsreset.exe, as above.
- Reset Windows Update: go back to Other troubleshooters and select Run next to Windows Update.
- Restart your computer and see if the problem's still there.
Notice what's missing. Microsoft's page doesn't tell you to open the Temp folder and delete things by hand, so I won't either. If you've done all four steps and low disk space is still stopping Windows updating, Microsoft says resetting or reinstalling might help, and that's a big step to take, so read our guide to resetting Windows 11 first.
Temporary files, through Cleanup recommendations
If you want to choose what goes, this is the route I'd use. Go to Start > Settings > System > Storage > Cleanup recommendations. Windows groups things into categories, including Temporary files, Large or unused files, Files synced to the cloud and Unused apps. Pick the items you'd like gone from each one, then select the Clean up button for that section. Windows suggests files and shows how much space you'll save, so you can see what you're getting before you commit.
One real trap. If you upgraded Windows fewer than 10 days ago, your previous version shows up as a system file you can delete. Deleting it removes the Windows.old folder, and with it your option to go back to that version. It can't be undone. Leave it alone unless you're sure you're staying put.
Storage Sense, the hands-off option
Storage Sense can free up drive space by itself, getting rid of items you don't need, such as temporary files and whatever's in your Recycle Bin. I'd pick it if you never want to think about this again, as long as you aren't using the Recycle Bin as a safety net.
Microsoft's drive space page doesn't give a menu path for it on Windows 11. It sends you to a separate article, Manage drive space with Storage Sense. So you won't get invented clicks from me here. It does say that Cleanup recommendations is the alternative if you don't want to use Storage Sense, so you only need one of the two.
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Which one fixes which problem
| Your problem | Method to use | What you need to watch |
|---|---|---|
| You specifically want the Microsoft Store cache cleared | wsreset.exe | A blank window for about ten seconds, then the Store opens |
| A Low Disk Space error after you've already cleaned up | Reset the Store, clear its cache, reset Windows Update, restart | Takes a few steps, and all are on Microsoft's list |
| You want to see and choose what's deleted | Cleanup recommendations | The previous version of Windows, if you upgraded fewer than 10 days ago |
| You want it handled for you | Storage Sense | It takes items in your Recycle Bin too |
Microsoft's page doesn't promise that any one of these will speed up your PC. What it does say is that running out of storage can bring slower performance or trouble installing Windows updates, and that freeing up space can help your device run better.
Still short of space after all that?
Then look beyond cache. Microsoft says personal files like videos, music, photos and documents can take up a lot of room, and that the Videos, Music, Pictures and Downloads folders usually hold your largest ones. To check what's left on the drive, select File Explorer from the taskbar, then This PC on the left, and look under Devices and drives.
To find the big files, open a folder, select View from the taskbar, then Details. Right-click in the open space and select Sort by > Size. Delete what you no longer need, then empty the Recycle Bin, because Microsoft says that's what completely removes files and frees the space. Or move them to an external storage device such as a USB drive or an SD card.
OneDrive Files On-Demand is the other lever on the page. It stores a smaller placeholder on your hard drive instead of the full-size file, which stays in your OneDrive account in the cloud. If you've decided you don't want OneDrive on the machine at all, that's a different job: see how to uninstall OneDrive.
Quick answers
Does Windows 11 have one cache I can clear?
Microsoft's drive space page doesn't describe one. It covers the Microsoft Store cache, the Temp folder, temporary files and Storage Sense separately.
What does wsreset.exe do?
It clears the Microsoft Store cache. A blank Command Prompt window opens, closes after about ten seconds, and the Store opens automatically.
How do I clear my browser cache on Windows 11?
Microsoft's Free up drive space page doesn't cover browser caches, so there are no steps for that here.
Is it safe to delete my previous version of Windows?
You can, but it can't be undone. Deleting it removes the Windows.old folder, and you won't be able to go back to your previous version.
