On Microsoft Windows operating systems, starting with the IE4 Desktop Update for Win95/98, a thumbnail cache is used to store thumbnail images for Windows Explorer’s thumbnail view. This speeds up the display of images as these smaller images do not need to be recalculated every time the user views the folder. The explorer thumbnail cache can be cleaned safely to free up space.
To clear the thumbnails cache on a Windows 10 system, follow these instructions:
- Run WinUtilities History Cleaner
- Check “Windows -> Explorer thumbnail cache”
- Click Erase Now
- Done