How to Clear System Cache on PC or Mac

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

This wikiHow teaches you how to clear temporary files from a Windows or macOS computer. You can accomplish this in Windows by deleting the files from the Temp folder, and on macOS by rebooting the computer.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Windows

1
Press ⊞ Win+R. This opens the Run dialog.
2
Type temp and press ↵ Enter. A permissions warning will appear.
3
Click Continue to grant permission. A list of cached files will appear.
4
Select all files in the right panel. To do this, click and drag the mouse across all of the files until they’re all highlighted.
5
Press Del. It’s usually at the top-right corner of your computer’s keyboard. This clears your system’s temporary file cache.
- You may have to enter your administrator password to delete the files.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
macOS

1
Close all open programs on your Mac. Although there is no safe way to delete the system cache while your Mac is running, rebooting the system will clear the it automatically.^{[1]
X
Research source} This method will teach you how to restart the computer safely.
2
Click the
menu. It’s at the top-left corner of the screen.
3
Click Restart. Your Mac will now shut down and restart, deleting the system cache in the process.