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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallTo clear a game cache in Windows 11, first identify the launcher or Windows component involved. Steam, Epic Games Launcher, Microsoft Store/Xbox, and Windows itself use different caches, so there is no universal folder or button to clear. Use the matching procedure below and avoid deleting game-installation or save-game folders.
There is no single “game cache” in Windows 11. The correct cache to clear depends on where the problem occurs: clear Steam’s download cache for Steam download or launch problems, Epic Games Launcher’s web cache for Epic display or startup errors, the Microsoft Store cache for Store-installed games, or Windows temporary and shader-cache data for storage and system-level troubleshooting.
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Before you clear anything
Restart Windows and the affected launcher first. Cache clearing is usually safe, but it will not repair every kind of game problem. It normally does not delete an installed game, while deleting the wrong folder can remove game files, saved data, or launcher content.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteUse the procedure for your platform below rather than deleting folders simply because their names contain cache.
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Clear the Steam download cache
Use this when Steam games will not download, downloads are stuck, Steam behaves strangely, or a game fails to start after a launcher-related problem.
- Open Steam.
- Select Steam > Settings.
- Open Downloads.
- Select Clear Download Cache.
- Confirm the prompt.
- Sign in to Steam again when prompted.
Steam’s download-cache reset does not remove your currently installed games. It clears cached download data and signs you out, so have your Steam login details available.
If the Steam game files may be damaged
Do not manually delete the game’s installation folder. Instead, use Steam’s file-verification feature:
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- Open your Steam Library.
- Right-click the affected game and select Properties.
- Open Installed Files.
- Select Verify integrity of game files.
Verification checks the installed files and replaces missing or damaged data as needed. It is a better remedy for suspected file corruption than clearing the download cache.
Clear the Epic Games Launcher cache
Use this for Epic Games Launcher display problems, a launcher that will not start correctly, blank or broken menus, or errors affecting the launcher and its games.
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- Exit Epic Games Launcher completely. Right-click its icon in the Windows notification area and choose the exit option if it is still running.
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
%localappdata%and press Enter. - Open
EpicGamesLauncher, then openSaved. - Delete any of these folders that are present:
webcache,webcache_4147, andwebcache_4430. - Start Epic Games Launcher again.
These are launcher web-cache folders, not the folders containing your installed games. Epic Games Launcher recreates them when needed. Folder names and launcher menu labels can vary between releases, so do not delete unrelated folders in Saved.
Reset the Microsoft Store cache for Store and Xbox games
For a game or app installed through Microsoft Store, the fastest supported cache reset is the wsreset.exe command.
- Press Windows + R.
- Type
wsreset.exe. - Select OK.
A blank Command Prompt window may remain visible for about ten seconds. It should close automatically, and Microsoft Store should open. This resets the Store cache and can help with installation, update, or launch problems in Store-delivered games and apps.
Repair or reset the Xbox app or another Store app
If the Xbox app or the affected Store app still fails:
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Find the Xbox app or affected game/app.
- Select its three-dot menu and choose Advanced options.
- Select Repair and test the app again.
- If Repair does not help, return to the same screen and choose Reset.
Repair attempts to fix the app without removing its local data. Reset is more aggressive and may remove local app data, settings, or sign-in information. Treat it as a later step and check that important saves are synchronized before using it.
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Clear Windows temporary files and the DirectX Shader Cache
Use Windows cleanup tools when your goal is to reclaim disk space, remove system-managed temporary files, or troubleshoot a problem that may involve Windows’ graphics shader cache. This is different from clearing a launcher cache.
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- Open Settings > System > Storage.
- Choose Temporary files or the available cleanup recommendations.
- Review the categories carefully.
- Select the temporary data you want to remove and confirm the cleanup.
The DirectX Shader Cache may appear as one of the available categories. Removing it is generally a rebuild operation: applications can create shader-cache data again as they run. The first launch after cleanup may therefore involve some shader compilation, and clearing it is not a guaranteed way to increase frame rates or eliminate stutter.
Disk Cleanup
You can also search Windows for Disk Cleanup, select the system drive, and review the temporary and system-file categories it offers. Select only data you are certain you no longer need.
What you should not delete
- Do not delete the entire folder where a game is installed.
- Do not delete Steam’s
steamappsfolder unless you deliberately intend to remove or rebuild installed game content. - Do not delete saved-game folders as a generic cache-clearing step.
- Do not remove arbitrary folders under
%appdata%or%localappdata%just because they contain the wordcache. - Do not assume a launcher cache reset will repair corrupted game files, graphics-driver problems, or damaged save data.
If a game has valuable local saves, back them up before using any app Reset option or deleting game-specific folders. Cloud synchronization is helpful but is not a substitute for understanding where a particular game stores local saves.
The safest troubleshooting order
- Restart the PC and launcher. This clears temporary processes and releases files that may be locked.
- Clear the cache for the affected platform. Use Steam, Epic, or Microsoft Store steps rather than a broad manual deletion.
- Verify Steam files if the installed game appears corrupted or files are missing.
- Run
wsreset.exefor Microsoft Store or Xbox app installation, update, and launch problems. - Use Windows app Repair, then Reset if the Xbox or Store app itself remains faulty.
- Use Storage cleanup for temporary files or the DirectX Shader Cache when freeing space or testing a system-level graphics issue.
- Update Windows, the launcher, and your graphics driver if the problem continues.
- Reinstall the launcher or game last, after supported repair and verification options have failed.
If clearing the cache did not fix the problem
Cache clearing is most useful when cached download, web, Store, or shader data is stale or damaged. It will not normally fix an incompatible graphics driver, insufficient hardware, network instability, corrupted saves, permissions problems, anti-cheat errors, or a game bug.
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For broader Windows symptoms—such as repeated crashes across multiple games, unexplained junk-file growth, system-component errors, or persistent gaming-related problems—an optional PC cleanup and repair tool may provide another diagnostic route. It is not required to clear a game cache, and it is not a replacement for the native Steam, Epic, Microsoft, and Windows procedures above. Review what it proposes to remove or change before approving repairs.
Why the steps may look slightly different
These instructions are for Windows 11 desktop PCs. Windows 11 builds can use slightly different wording in Apps > Installed apps, System > Storage, and recovery screens. Steam and Epic Games Launcher can also change menu labels between releases. If a label differs, look for the equivalent launcher settings, installed-app advanced options, or Windows storage-cleanup category rather than deleting folders manually.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing a game cache delete my installed games?
Will clearing a game cache delete my installed games?
Will clearing a game cache delete my installed games?
No. Steam’s Clear Download Cache, Epic’s launcher web-cache folders, Microsoft Store’s wsreset.exe, and Windows’ temporary-file cleanup are designed to remove cached or temporary data rather than installed game content. Do not manually delete the game directory or Steam’s steamapps folder.
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Which cache should I clear if a Steam game will not start?
Which cache should I clear if a Steam game will not start?
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Which cache should I clear if a Steam game will not start?
Start with Steam’s Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache. If the installed files may be damaged, use the game’s Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files instead. If the issue continues, investigate drivers, updates, permissions, anti-cheat errors, and other causes.
Is it safe to delete the DirectX Shader Cache?
Is it safe to delete the DirectX Shader Cache?
Is it safe to delete the DirectX Shader Cache?
It is generally a rebuild operation: Windows and applications can generate shader-cache data again. However, it is not a guaranteed performance fix, and a game may need to rebuild shaders after cleanup.
What does Windows app Reset remove?
What does Windows app Reset remove?
What does Windows app Reset remove?
Reset is more aggressive than Repair and may remove an app’s local data, settings, or sign-in information. Use Repair first and confirm that important saves or settings are synchronized before choosing Reset.
The Bottom Line
Clear only the cache associated with the symptom: Steam’s Clear Download Cache, Epic’s webcache folders, Microsoft Store’s wsreset.exe, or Windows’ temporary and DirectX Shader Cache categories. Do not delete game-installation, steamapps, or save-game folders as a generic fix.
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