Last updated: January 25, 2019
When you clear your web browser’s cache of temporary Internet files, you force the latest version of a web page to load. In much the same fashion, when you clear the Java cache on your computer, it forces the browser to load the latest version of Java content. First, it is always a good practice to make sure you are using the latest version of Java.
The “cache” is a location on your computer where files you have loaded are temporarily stored so they load faster when you need them again. Files can accumulate in the various caches, and you may have a need to load a new copy of the file. The way to do that is to clear the cache of those temporary files. Here’s how to clear the Java cache on your Windows computer.
Clear the Java Cache in 5 Steps
Step 1. Type Java into the Windows Search box, click Configure Java, then skip to #3 below.
Alternatively, launch the Windows Control Panel. Under Programs, double-click the Java icon (which may also say Java (32-bit)).
Step 2. The Java Control Panel displays. Under the General tab, click Settings in the Temporary Internet Files section.
Step 3. Temporary Files Settings displays in a separate dialog. Click the Delete Files button.
Step 4. Delete Files and Applications displays in a separate dialog. Click the check box for all items listed, then click OK in the Delete Files and Applications window.
Note: Clicking OK permanently deletes all of the downloaded Java applications and Java applets from the Java cache.
Step 5. Click OK in the Temporary Files Settings window to close the window. To close the Java Control Panel window, click the Apply button, then click the OK button.
Finally, reload the web browser window that contains the Java content. This will load a new copy of the content.
Java is a free software developed by Oracle Corporation, and also a programming language. When you download and install the free Java software, you are installing the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), including the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). When referring to “Java” in this article, we are referring to JRE, which is a web browser plug-in required to load Java content in your web browser.
Also see: How to clear the Java cache on Mac.
Thank you for visiting Tech Help Knowledgebase to learn how to clear the Java cache on Windows.
Tech Help Knowledgebase creates how-to articles and video tutorials for common issues, and provides technical support for the categories covered by our site.
Get Support.
