How to clear cache and temporary files on Steam

Are you noticing that Steam is running slower than usual, your downloads are getting stuck, or your hard drive is getting fuller for no apparent reason? If you're a regular user of the platform, it's very likely that part of the blame lies with the accumulation of cache and temporary files, which can remain "parked" for months or even years, taking up precious space and increasing performance issues.

Best of all, clearing your Steam cache and deleting temporary files is a simple task that can significantly improve your user experience, free up disk space, and resolve many of the platform's most common issues. Whether you play in Windows as in MacIn this article we tell you clearly and completely How to clear cache and temporary files on Steam, what types of temporary files exist, what precautions you should take, and how to do it step by step, including manual and automatic methods.

Why do cache and temporary files accumulate on Steam?

Steam is one of the platforms of video games most popular and used in the world. However, like any complex software, it accumulates residual files over time: from fragments of incomplete downloads to built-in browser caches, to temporary files from game installations or updates.

These files can originate in several ways:

• Download cache: Steam saves temporary files for games or updates in progress to avoid re-downloading them if there are errors, but these remnants can remain if the download is interrupted or does not complete properly.
• Internal browser temporary files: Steam includes a browser for the store, forums or community, generating its own cache and cookies that, with There, it can take up a lot of space and slow down the application.
• Game and shader installation files: After installing a game, Steam often leaves behind residual folders with files no longer needed to play. These folders can take up hundreds or even tens of gigabytes of space if not manually deleted.
• Other temporary folders: Installing and updating games, using mods, or simply keeping Steam up to date creates other junk files that gradually accumulate.

Not regularly cleaning these files can be a space issue, but it can also affect the performance of Steam and the games themselves. Additionally, sometimes issues with download freezes or errors launching games are caused by corrupted or poorly managed cache.

Is it safe to clear the Steam cache? Will I lose data or games?

One of the most common doubts is If clearing your Steam download cache or temporary files causes you to lose important information. The answer is clear: Under normal conditions, deleting the cache does NOT affect your installed games or saved games..

However, there are some aspects to keep in mind:

• Current download progress: If you have any downloads in progress (a game or update), clearing the cache will cause you to lose that progress and you'll have to restart the download from scratch.
• Session started: Steam may usually ask you to log in again after clearing your cache, so have your credentials (username and password) ready.
• Mods and custom content: In very specific cases, if you have mods installed in some games, it might be advisable to make a backup, although this doesn't usually affect them.

If your goal is to free up a lot of disk space, clearing just the Steam cache may not be enough., since the really 'heavy' files are usually in other temporary folders associated with game installations and updates.

Steam cache and temporary files location

Steam stores temporary files in different paths depending on its function and operating system.Knowing where they're stored will allow you to delete them manually if you prefer this advanced method or if automatic cleanup doesn't solve your problem.

Main locations in Windows:

• Download cache: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\downloading
• Shader Cache Files: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\shadercache
• Temporary download and installation files: C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\temp
• Internal browser cache and cookies: C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Steam\htmlcache\Cache

Main locations on Mac:

• Steam Download Cache: Steam creates a hidden folder to store downloads and temporary files, which can be emptied from within the program.
• System cache and temporary folders: Other applications and the system itself generate caches that can affect the storage.

How to clear Steam cache step by step (automatic method)

Steam offers a built-in option to clear the download cache and most temporary files. This method is the most recommended for most users and is really simple:

1. Open Steam and log in if necessary.
2. In the top bar, click “Steam” and choose “Preferences” (on Mac) or “Settings” (on Windows).
3. In the side menu, select the “Downloads” section.
4. Look for the “Clear download cache” option below and click on it.
5. Accept the confirmation message that appears to proceed with clearing the cache.

Behind this, Steam will automatically delete temporary files from your downloads folder.Once finished, you'll likely need to log back into your account.

Manual method: delete temporary files from the explorer

For advanced users or if the automatic cleanup doesn't resolve all issues, you can manually delete Steam temporary files.This will allow you to free up even more space, especially if you haven't cleaned up in years.

1. Make sure Steam is completely closed. To avoid errors, terminate any related processes from the Task Manager (on Windows) or using “Force Quit” on Mac.
2. Navigate to the cache folders mentioned above depending on your operating system.
3. Delete all contents of the following folders (NOT the folder itself, just its contents):
   • downloading: This is where incomplete downloads or update remnants accumulate. You can delete everything if nothing is downloading.
   • shadercacheTemporary shader files take up a lot of space. You can also delete them.
   • temp: Temporary installation files, which you no longer need.
   • htmlcache\Cache y htmlcache\Cookies: Steam browser cache and cookies, which will be automatically regenerated when you use the store or forums.
4. Also empty the recycle bin after deleting files to effectively free up space.

Important: Don't delete other Steam folders or any files you're unsure of to avoid losing games or settings.

What to do if clearing the cache doesn't fix your Steam problems?

If, after clearing your cache and temporary files, you're still experiencing issues with stuck downloads, games not opening, or the platform not working properly, there may be a larger issue with your Steam installation or the operating system itself.

Before uninstalling or reinstalling Steam, try these tips:

• Close and reopen Steam completely.
• Restart your computer.
• Check that there are no pending system or Steam updates.
• Temporarily disable security software (antivirus or firewall) to see if they interfere.
• Contact Steam Support through their official website if the problem persists.

External tools to clean temporary files for Steam and other games

If you want to go a step further, there are free and paid programs that can help you detect and delete temporary files not only from Steam, but also from other platforms such as Origin, uPlay, or Gog.

One of the best known is Steam Cleaner: This tool scans your disk and shows you all the temporary files generated during game installations. It presents a clear list with the path, name, and size of each file, allowing you to delete them with a click. It also calculates the total space you can free up, making it especially useful if you have multiple gaming platforms installed and don't want to go through folder by folder manually.

Other options on a Mac include programs like MacKeeper, which scans and cleans all kinds of caches and unnecessary files on your disk. Of course, always check which files you're going to delete and don't use these types of tools without first backing up your games or custom settings if you're worried about losing data.

Related article:

How to easily repair, clean, and maintain Windows with the Windows Maintenance Tool

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.