Alex Ruben
How to Effectively Clear NVIDIA Cache on Your Windows PC
Are you noticing a decline in performance while gaming or running graphics-intensive applications? Your NVIDIA graphics card may be taking up too much storage space due to accumulated cache files. Clearing the NVIDIA cache can help free up valuable storage, improve your computer’s performance, and enhance your gaming experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process to delete the NVIDIA cache on your Windows PC, enabling you to reclaim hard drive space and fix potential stutters or lag during gameplay.
Before we begin, ensure you have administrative access to your Windows PC. This process is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11. No additional software is required, and we will utilize built-in system tools to complete the cache deletion.
Step 1: Access the NVIDIA Control Panel
Start by right-clicking on your desktop. From the context menu, select Show More Options (if using Windows 11). Then, locate and click on NVIDIA Control Panel.
Step 2: Manage 3D Settings
Within the NVIDIA Control Panel, navigate to the section labeled Manage 3D settings. Scroll down the list until you find the Shader Cache Size option. Set the Shader Cache size to Disabled. Remember to click Apply before closing the window. This step prevents new cache files from accumulating until you’ve cleared the existing ones.
Step 3: Open Run Command
Next, press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type %LocalAppData% and hit Enter. This command will take you directly to the Local App Data folder where NVIDIA cache files are stored.
Step 4: Delete NVIDIA Cache Files
In the Local App Data folder, look for the NVIDIA folder and open it. You will find various subfolders. Delete all files and subfolders within this directory. Be cautious to ensure you are only deleting NVIDIA cache files, as removing other files may cause issues.
Step 5: Access Additional Cache Directories
Now, navigate back to the address bar within the Local App Data directory and click on the AppData text to reveal the AppData directory. From here, open the LocalLow folder and locate the NVIDIA folder inside it. Within this folder, you’ll find another subfolder named DXC. Open it and delete all files present.
Step 6: Clear Additional NVIDIA Folders
Within the same NVIDIA directory, look for the Pre-Driver Version folder along with the DX Cache folder. Highlight all files in these folders and delete them as well. This ensures that you have removed all residual cache files from your system.
Step 7: Perform Disk Cleanup
Lastly, to complete the cache clearing process, open the Run dialog again and type cleanmgr before pressing Enter. This will launch the Disk Cleanup utility. Select your primary drive (usually C:) and initiate a disk cleanup. This action will help remove any temporary files that may still be lingering on your system.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
To ensure a smooth process, ensure that no applications using the NVIDIA graphics card are running during this cleanup. This will prevent any errors that may occur from trying to delete files that are actively in use. If you encounter any issues or errors during the steps, restarting your PC may help resolve them.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you have successfully cleared the NVIDIA cache on your Windows PC. This not only helps in freeing up storage space but also improves the performance of your graphics card, resulting in a smoother gaming experience. For more tips and tricks on optimizing your computer, feel free to explore additional guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clear my NVIDIA cache?
It’s a good practice to clear your NVIDIA cache every few months or whenever you notice performance issues with your games or applications.
Will clearing the cache affect my game settings?
No, clearing the cache does not affect your game settings or saved files. It only removes temporary files that can accumulate over time.
Can I undo these changes if needed?
Once the cache is cleared, it cannot be undone. However, you can re-enable the Shader Cache in the NVIDIA Control Panel if you wish to allow cache files to accumulate again.