How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows 11/10 (Guide)
5How to Clear the Thumbnail Cache in Windows 11/10 (Guide)
In this detailed guide, we explain how to clear the thumbnail cache in Windows 11 and 10 to improve system performance and free up disk space. Thumbnail files are small image previews generated by Windows when you view media files like photos, videos, and documents in File Explorer. Over time, these cached thumbnails can accumulate and become corrupted, leading to slow performance or incorrect previews. By clearing the thumbnail cache, users can resolve these issues and ensure smoother system operation.
Issues addressed in this tutorial:
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The accumulation of a large thumbnail cache is often caused by frequent file access, where the system continuously creates new thumbnail previews for various media files. Additionally, if the system is not regularly maintained, outdated or corrupted thumbnail data can result in distorted images or errors in File Explorer. Another common cause is system crashes or improper shutdowns, which may leave thumbnail files in an inconsistent state. By following the steps outlined in this guide, users can easily clean up the thumbnail cache, optimizing their system's responsiveness and ensuring accurate file previews.
This tutorial will apply for computers, laptops, desktops, and tablets running the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems (Home, Professional, Enterprise, Education) from all supported hardware manufactures, like Dell, HP, Acer, Asus, Toshiba, Lenovo, Alienware, Razer, MSI, Huawei , Microsoft Surface, and Samsung.