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Cache and Temporary Files Management Cheatsheet

Introduction

This document provides over 10 command examples for cleaning caches and temporary files to improve system efficiency on work PCs.

Examples

1. Clear Windows Temp folder via Command Prompt:

   del /q/f/s %TEMP%*

2. Remove temporary files using PowerShell:

   Get-ChildItem -Path $env:TEMP -Recurse

   Remove-Item -Force -Recurse

3. Clean Windows prefetch folder (run as administrator):

   del /q/f/s C:\Windows\Prefetch*

4. Clear DNS cache on Windows:

   ipconfig /flushdns

5. Clear browser cache in Edge using PowerShell:

   Remove-Item “$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache*” -Recurse -Force

6. Delete Windows Update cache:

   net stop wuauserv && del /q/f/s C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download* && net start wuauserv

7. Clean Linux temporary files:

   sudo rm -rf /tmp/*

8. Clear apt cache on Ubuntu:

   sudo apt-get clean

9. Remove thumbnail cache in Windows:

   del /f /s /q %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer\thumbcache_*.db

10. Clean system recycle bin using PowerShell:

    Clear-RecycleBin -Force