How to Clear Spotify Cache Windows 10: Free Up Space Easily

By / October 22, 2025

If you use Spotify on Windows 10, chances are it’s taking up more storage space than you think. Over time, Spotify stores temporary files — album art, song data, and offline tracks — in something called a cache. This helps your music load faster, but it can also consume several gigabytes of hard drive space.

Whether you’re running low on disk space or trying to fix playback issues, clearing Spotify’s cache is one of the quickest ways to refresh the app and free up storage.

In this detailed step-by-step guide, we’ll show you exactly how to clear the Spotify cache in Windows 10, explain what happens when you do it, and share some pro tips to keep your PC running smoothly.

What Is the Spotify Cache?

Spotify’s cache is a temporary storage area where the app saves data locally on your computer. This includes:

  • Song metadata and thumbnails

  • Playback history

  • Album artwork

  • Temporary files from streaming

  • Offline downloaded music (if you use Spotify Premium)

When you stream music, Spotify downloads small chunks of audio and stores them in its cache. This allows songs to play faster the next time you listen, even without a full re-download.

But over time, this cache can grow significantly, especially if you listen to a lot of music daily or have downloaded offline playlists.

🧹 Why You Should Clear the Spotify Cache

Clearing your Spotify cache can solve several issues and improve system performance.

✅ 1. Free Up Disk Space

Spotify’s cache can easily grow to 5–10 GB or more, especially for users who listen frequently or download playlists. Clearing it reclaims that space instantly.

✅ 2. Fix Playback Errors

If you’re facing glitches like songs skipping, not loading, or playback lag, a corrupted cache might be the reason. Deleting it often resolves these issues.

✅ 3. Improve App Performance

A cluttered cache can slow down Spotify’s response time. Clearing it helps Spotify load faster and reduces CPU usage.

✅ 4. Refresh Outdated Data

Sometimes album art, playlists, or metadata don’t update properly. Clearing the cache forces Spotify to refresh its data from the cloud.

📁 Where Is Spotify Cache Stored in Windows 10?

Spotify stores its cache files in different locations depending on whether you downloaded it from the Microsoft Store or Spotify’s official website.

Spotify Version Cache Folder Location
Microsoft Store Version C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages\SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0\LocalCache\Spotify\Data
Desktop Installer Version C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Spotify\Storage

💡 Tip:
To quickly access these folders, press Win + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter. Then navigate to Local or Packages as shown above.

🧭 How to Clear Spotify Cache on Windows 10 (Step-by-Step)

Let’s go through four reliable methods to safely clear Spotify’s cache and free up space.

🪄 Method 1: Clear Cache from Spotify Settings (Easiest Way)

Spotify now allows users to delete cache files directly from its settings — no need to dig into folders.

Steps:

  1. Open the Spotify app on your Windows 10 PC.

  2. Click the profile icon at the top-right corner.

  3. Select Settings from the dropdown menu.

  4. Scroll down to the Storage section.

  5. Click Delete Cache under “Cache.”

  6. Confirm when prompted.

✅ Result:
Spotify deletes all temporary cache files without removing your playlists or downloaded songs.

🧠 Note: If you want to delete downloaded offline music, use Method 2 instead.

💾 Method 2: Delete Spotify Cache Manually

If you want to fully remove Spotify’s cache (including large offline data), do it manually.

Steps:

  1. Close Spotify completely (right-click its icon in the system tray → Quit Spotify).

  2. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.

  3. Type one of the following depending on your version:

    • Microsoft Store version:

      %localappdata%\Packages\SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0\LocalCache\Spotify\Data

    • Desktop installer version:

      %localappdata%\Spotify\Storage

  4. Press Enter.

  5. Select all files inside the folder (Ctrl + A) and delete them (Shift + Delete for permanent removal).

  6. Restart Spotify.

✅ Result:
You’ve manually deleted every cached file, freeing up maximum space.

⚠️ Caution:
If you delete the entire Spotify folder, it will also remove login and preference data.

⚙️ Method 3: Use Windows Storage Settings

Windows 10’s built-in storage management can help you locate and clear Spotify cache automatically.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

  2. Go to System → Storage.

  3. Click Temporary files or Apps & features.

  4. Find Spotify in the list.

  5. Click Advanced options → select Reset (this clears cache and settings).

✅ Result:
Spotify cache and app data are deleted. The app remains installed but resets to default settings.

💻 Method 4: Use Command Prompt to Clear Cache

Advanced users can use CMD commands to clear cache quickly.

Steps:

  1. Press Win + S, type cmd, and run it as Administrator.

  2. Type the command based on your Spotify version:

    • Microsoft Store version:

      del /q /s "%localappdata%\Packages\SpotifyAB.SpotifyMusic_zpdnekdrzrea0\LocalCache\Spotify\Data\*"

    • Desktop installer version:

      del /q /s "%localappdata%\Spotify\Storage\*"

  3. Press Enter.

  4. Once complete, restart Spotify.

✅ Result:
Spotify cache is cleared silently in the background.

📦 How to Move Spotify Cache to Another Drive

If your main (C:) drive is getting full, you can move the Spotify cache to another partition or external drive.

Steps:

  1. Open Spotify → go to Settings.

  2. Scroll to the Storage section.

  3. Under “Offline songs storage,” click Change Location.

  4. Choose a folder on another drive (e.g., D:\SpotifyCache).

  5. Restart Spotify.

From now on, all cache and offline downloads will be saved in the new folder.

💡 Pro Tip: Use an SSD or fast drive for smoother playback.

🎵 How to Clear Spotify Cache for Offline Downloads

If you use Spotify Premium and download music for offline listening, those files can take up a lot of space.

To clear offline downloads:

  1. Open Spotify.

  2. Go to Settings → Storage.

  3. Click Delete Cache.

  4. Then, turn off Offline Mode and delete your downloads manually if needed.

    • Navigate to:

      %localappdata%\Spotify\Storage

    • Delete the contents.

When you next log in, you can redownload your favorite playlists fresh.

🔁 How Often Should You Clear the Spotify Cache?

It depends on how often you use Spotify and how much space you have available.

Usage Type Recommended Frequency
Heavy daily streaming Every 2–3 weeks
Occasional use Once every 2–3 months
Offline download users Monthly or as needed

💡 Tip: If you notice Spotify slowing down or your disk filling up, it’s time to clear the cache.

🧩 Fixing Problems After Clearing the Cache

If Spotify doesn’t work properly after clearing the cache, here’s what to do:

Issue Cause Fix
Songs not playing offline Offline data deleted Re-download playlists
Slow app startup Cache rebuilding Wait a few minutes for Spotify to rebuild cache
Missing album art Cached metadata removed Restart Spotify or refresh playlists
Login issues Deleted settings Log in again manually

Most problems fix themselves once Spotify recreates the cache files.

🛠️ Tips to Reduce Spotify Cache Build-Up

Keep your storage clean with these simple habits:

  1. Stream instead of downloading unless you need offline access.

  2. Avoid skipping songs rapidly, as it increases temporary cache size.

  3. Log out and log in periodically to refresh session data.

  4. Monitor cache size regularly using Windows File Explorer.

  5. Use Disk Cleanup to remove temporary app files.

  6. Store offline songs on a different drive to avoid clogging your system partition.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Will clearing Spotify cache delete my playlists or liked songs?

No. Clearing cache only removes temporary files. Your playlists and favorites are stored online with your Spotify account.

2. Does clearing cache remove downloaded offline songs?

Yes, if you delete cache manually from the storage folder. If you use the “Delete Cache” button in Settings, offline songs are usually preserved.

3. Can I delete Spotify cache safely?

Absolutely. It’s safe and can improve performance and free up space.

4. Why is my Spotify folder so large?

It contains cached songs, thumbnails, and metadata. Offline downloads take up the most space.

5. How do I see how much space Spotify cache uses?

Go to Spotify Settings → Storage, or check the cache folder size in File Explorer by right-clicking → Properties.

🏁 Conclusion

Clearing the Spotify cache in Windows 10 is a simple yet powerful way to free up space, improve performance, and fix playback issues. Whether you use Spotify for streaming or offline listening, taking a few minutes to clear the cache can keep the app running fast and your system storage healthy.

To recap:

  • 🧹 Clear cache via Spotify’s Settings for a quick refresh.

  • 🧭 Delete cache manually for a deeper clean.

  • 💾 Move your cache to another drive to save system space.

  • ⚙️ Repeat the process regularly for best results.

Keep your Spotify experience smooth, clutter-free, and efficient with these simple maintenance steps!

🔍 Key Takeaways

  • ✅ Spotify cache can grow to several GBs over time.

  • 🧹 Clearing it frees space and fixes app issues.

  • ⚙️ Use built-in Spotify tools or File Explorer to delete it.

  • 💾 Move cache to another drive for long-term performance.

  • 🧠 Clear cache regularly to keep Spotify running fast.

Related Posts:

Scroll to Top