To clear the NVIDIA cache on Windows, fully quit your games, then delete the contents of %localappdata%\NVIDIA\DXCache (DirectX) and %localappdata%\NVIDIA\GLCache (OpenGL). Games rebuild smaller caches on the next launch, so you safely reclaim space without breaking anything.

TL;DR

  • The NVIDIA shader cache stores pre-compiled GPU programs in %localappdata%\NVIDIA; across many games it commonly reaches 10-20 GB.
  • Delete the contents of DXCache, GLCache, and ComputeCache (if present), not the folders themselves.
  • Nothing is lost permanently: shaders recompile on demand. The first load after clearing may stutter briefly.
  • Cap future growth with Shader Cache Size in the NVIDIA Control Panel so it never balloons again.
  • Do not touch %programdata%\NVIDIA Corporation or C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation -- those are the driver.

What is the NVIDIA shader cache?

The NVIDIA shader cache is a set of pre-compiled GPU shader programs that Windows stores so games launch and load faster the second time. Every DirectX and OpenGL title you run writes to it. It lives in three folders under %localappdata%\NVIDIA:

Folder What it caches Typical size
DXCache DirectX shaders (most modern games) 2-10 GB, usually the largest
GLCache OpenGL shaders (Minecraft, older games, emulators) Smaller, often under 1 GB
ComputeCache CUDA / ML workload caches (newer drivers) Tiny for gamers, large on ML workstations

The cache is purely a performance optimization. It is not required for games to run, which is why clearing it is safe.

Is it safe to delete the NVIDIA cache?

Yes. Clearing the NVIDIA shader cache deletes only regenerable performance data, not game files, saves, settings, or drivers. The GPU simply recompiles the specific shaders you encounter in your next session. The only side effect is a brief, one-time stutter the first time you load each scene after clearing, while those shaders rebuild. Nothing is permanently lost, and you do not need to reinstall any game.

How to clear the NVIDIA cache safely

Follow these steps to clear the cache without locking files or deleting the wrong thing:

  1. Fully quit every running game and close the NVIDIA App / GeForce Experience.
  2. Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%\NVIDIA, and press Enter.
  3. Open each subfolder -- DXCache, GLCache, and ComputeCache if present -- and delete their contents, not the folders themselves.
  4. Skip any file locked by a running process; a background service may hold one or two files, which is normal.
  5. Empty the Recycle Bin to actually free the space.

You do not need to touch %programdata%\NVIDIA Corporation or C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation -- those are the driver itself, and deleting them can break your GPU setup.

How to cap future shader cache growth

Newer NVIDIA drivers let you cap the shader cache size so clearing it never becomes a recurring chore:

  1. Right-click the desktop and choose NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Go to Manage 3D settings > Global Settings.
  3. Find the Shader Cache Size setting.
  4. Set it to 10 GB (the default is often "Driver Default," which can grow unbounded).
  5. Click Apply.

With a cap in place, the driver evicts the oldest shaders automatically once the limit is hit.

Why does the NVIDIA folder keep growing?

The %localappdata%\NVIDIA folder grows because every new game, driver update, and graphics-setting change can invalidate old shaders and force new ones to be compiled and stored alongside the old ones. Without a size cap, the driver rarely cleans up the obsolete entries on its own, so the folder accumulates years of stale shaders from games you no longer play. Setting a Shader Cache Size limit and clearing the folder once stops the runaway growth.

FAQ

Will clearing the NVIDIA cache delete my game saves or settings?

No. The NVIDIA shader cache contains only compiled GPU shaders, not game saves, configs, or installed files. Your saves and settings live with each game and are completely untouched.

Why do games stutter after I clear the NVIDIA cache?

Games stutter briefly the first time you load a scene after clearing because the GPU has to recompile the shaders for that scene on the fly. The stutter is one-time per scene and disappears once the cache rebuilds.

How much space does the NVIDIA shader cache use?

Across a typical gaming library, the NVIDIA shader cache commonly reaches 10-20 GB, with DXCache alone often holding 2-10 GB. Heavy modern titles and frequent driver updates push it higher.

Can I delete the entire NVIDIA folder?

Delete only the contents of DXCache, GLCache, and ComputeCache. Do not delete the NVIDIA Corporation folders under %programdata% or Program Files, because those hold the actual driver.

Keep your C drive lean

For game-specific leftovers after a cache clear, continue with how to uninstall heavy PC games properly, and for the broader sweep see deep cleaning Windows 11/10 without third-party utilities. Related desktop cache fixes include clearing the Discord cache on PC, clearing the Microsoft Store cache, and disabling hibernation to save gigabytes. If your phone is filling up the same way your PC is, the phone storage cleanup hub and the Cleanor iOS app find and remove that clutter locally, with nothing uploaded.