How to clean game launcher cache files

Easy Gamer Utility can help you find and remove temporary cache files created by popular game launchers.

Cleaning a game launcher’s cache may help when the launcher is slow, will not open correctly, displays the wrong information or has problems loading its store and library pages.

This guide explains what cache files are, how to analyse them and how to safely clean game launcher cache files using Easy Gamer Utility.

What are game launcher cache files?

See also: Is it safe to remove game cache files? Article

A game launcher stores temporary files on your computer to help it load information more quickly.

These files may contain temporary copies of:

• Store images
• Web pages
• Launcher menus
• Update information
• Login page data
• Error logs
• Other temporary launcher information

These files are called cache files.

Cache files are not normally the same as your installed games or saved game progress.

Over time, launcher cache files can become old, damaged or unnecessarily large. Removing them gives the launcher a chance to create fresh files the next time it opens.

Which game launchers can Easy Gamer Utility clean?

Depending on your Easy Gamer Utility version and the software installed on your computer, the Game Launchers section may include:

• Steam
• Epic Games Launcher
• Ubisoft Connect
• EA App
• Battle.net
• Riot Client
• Microsoft Store

Easy Gamer Utility only cleans the supported temporary locations used by these launchers.

It does not uninstall the launcher or remove your installed games.

Before cleaning game launcher cache files

See also: Why some cache files could not be removed Article

Before you begin:

1. Save any work you have open.
2. Close the game you were playing.
3. Close the related game launcher completely.
4. Wait a few seconds for the launcher to finish closing.
5. Open Easy Gamer Utility.

For example, close Steam before cleaning the Steam cache.

Closing the launcher is important because Windows cannot remove a file while the launcher is still using it.

Some launchers continue running in the Windows system tray after you close their main window.

Look near the clock in the bottom-right corner of Windows. Right-click the launcher icon and choose Exit, Quit or Close if that option is available.

How to analyse game launcher cache files

Use the Analyze button when you want to see what Easy Gamer Utility can find before removing anything.

Analysing the cache does not delete files.

To analyse a launcher:

1. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
2. Click Clean at the top of the window.
3. Select Game Launchers.
4. Find the launcher you want to check.
5. Click Analyze beside it.
6. Wait for the analysis to finish.
7. Review the list of files shown.

If Easy Gamer Utility cannot find any supported files, it may display:

Analyze complete – No files found

This does not mean there is a problem. The cache folder may already be empty, the launcher may not be installed or the launcher may be using a different location.

The Analyze button may not be available for every launcher.

How to clean game launcher cache files

See also: How to find large game folders Article

Once you are ready to remove the files:

1. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
2. Click Clean.
3. Select Game Launchers.
4. Find the launcher you want to clean.
5. Click Clean beside it.
6. Read the confirmation message.
7. Click OK to continue.
8. Wait while Easy Gamer Utility removes the files.
9. Review the results shown in the information box.

Click Cancel on the confirmation message if you do not want to continue.

You can clean one launcher at a time. You do not need to clean every launcher shown.

How to clean the Steam cache

To clean Steam cache files:

1. Close all Steam games.
2. Exit Steam completely.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
4. Click Clean.
5. Open Game Launchers.
6. Find Clear Steam cache files.
7. Click Analyze if you want to check the files first.
8. Click Clean.
9. Click OK when asked to confirm.
10. Wait for the cleaning process to finish.

Open Steam again after the cleaning has completed.

Steam may take slightly longer to open the first time because it may need to create fresh temporary files.

How to clean the Epic Games Launcher cache

See also: How to clear the Microsoft Store cache Article

To clean Epic Games Launcher cache files:

1. Close any Epic Games titles currently running.
2. Exit Epic Games Launcher completely.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
4. Click Clean.
5. Select Game Launchers.
6. Find Clear Epic Games Launcher cache files.
7. Click Analyze to view any files found.
8. Click Clean.
9. Confirm that you want to continue.
10. Wait for the results.

Easy Gamer Utility checks the supported Epic Games Launcher web cache locations.

After cleaning, reopen Epic Games Launcher and allow it time to reload its library and store information.

How to clean the Ubisoft Connect cache

Before cleaning Ubisoft Connect, make sure Easy Gamer Utility knows where Ubisoft Connect is installed.

To clean the Ubisoft Connect cache:

1. Close all Ubisoft games.
2. Exit Ubisoft Connect completely.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
4. Click Clean.
5. Select Game Launchers.
6. Find Clear Ubisoft Connect cache files.
7. Click Analyze if you want to check the files first.
8. Click Clean.
9. Confirm the warning.
10. Wait for the process to finish.

If nothing happens, check the Ubisoft Connect location in Easy Gamer Utility Settings.

How to set the Ubisoft Connect path

1. Click the Settings cog.
2. Find the Ubisoft Path box.
3. Click the folder button beside it.
4. Locate UbisoftConnect.exe.
5. Select the file.
6. Click Save Settings.
7. Return to Clean > Game Launchers.
8. Try the Ubisoft cleaning tool again.

You must select the Ubisoft Connect program file, not the file used to start one of your Ubisoft games.

How to clean the EA App cache

To clean EA App cache files:

1. Close any EA games.
2. Exit EA App completely.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
4. Click Clean.
5. Select Game Launchers.
6. Find Clear EA App cache files.
7. Click Analyze if available.
8. Click Clean.
9. Confirm that you want to remove the cache files.
10. Wait for the information box to appear.

Easy Gamer Utility checks supported temporary and log locations used by EA App.

Open EA App again after cleaning.

How to clean the Battle.net cache

To clean Battle.net cache files:

1. Close all Blizzard games.
2. Exit Battle.net completely.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
4. Click Clean.
5. Open Game Launchers.
6. Find Clear Battle.net cache files.
7. Click Analyze if you want to see the files first.
8. Click Clean.
9. Click OK to confirm.
10. Wait for the cleaning process to finish.

Battle.net may rebuild its temporary files the next time it opens.

Your installed Blizzard games should remain installed.

How to clean the Riot Client cache

To clean Riot Client cache files:

1. Close the Riot game you are using.
2. Exit Riot Client.
3. Check that Riot Client is no longer shown in the system tray.
4. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
5. Click Clean.
6. Select Game Launchers.
7. Find Clear Riot Client cache files.
8. Click Analyze if you want to check the files first.
9. Click Clean.
10. Confirm the warning.
11. Wait for the process to finish.

Easy Gamer Utility checks several supported Riot Client locations, including temporary HTTP cache, crash and log folders.

Riot Client may recreate some of these folders after it is opened again.

How to clean the Microsoft Store cache

Microsoft Store cleaning works differently from the other launchers.

Easy Gamer Utility uses the Windows Store reset command to clear the Microsoft Store cache.

To use it:

1. Close Microsoft Store.
2. Close any Xbox or Microsoft Store game that is currently running.
3. Open Easy Gamer Utility.
4. Click Clean.
5. Select Game Launchers.
6. Find Clear Microsoft Store cache files.
7. Click Clean.
8. Confirm that you want to continue.
9. Wait for Windows to complete the reset.

A Windows command window may briefly appear or Microsoft Store may open automatically afterwards.

This is normal.

The Microsoft Store cleaning option may not have an Analyze button because Windows handles the reset process.

What do the cleaning results mean?

After cleaning, Easy Gamer Utility may show a list of results.

File Deleted

This means Easy Gamer Utility successfully removed the file.

Folder Deleted

This means the supported cache folder or one of its temporary subfolders was removed.

File Could Not Be Removed

This means Windows stopped Easy Gamer Utility from deleting the file.

Common reasons include:

• The launcher is still running
• A game is still running
• The file is being used by Windows
• Security software has locked the file
• Administrator permission is required
• The folder permissions do not allow the change

Easy Gamer Utility will normally continue with the remaining files instead of stopping the entire cleaning process.

What should I do if files could not be removed?

Try the following:

1. Close the launcher completely.
2. Close any games that use the launcher.
3. Check the Windows system tray and exit the launcher from there.
4. Restart your computer.
5. Open Easy Gamer Utility before reopening the launcher.
6. Try the cleaning tool again.

You can also restart Easy Gamer Utility with administrator permission:

1. Click Run EGU as admin.
2. Click Yes on the Windows permission message.
3. Return to Clean > Game Launchers.
4. Try cleaning the launcher again.

Some files may still be protected or in use. It is usually safe to leave those files alone.

Why does Easy Gamer Utility say no files were found?

You may see Analyze complete – No files found when:

• The launcher cache is already empty
• The launcher has not created any cache files yet
• The launcher is installed in a different location
• The launcher is not installed
• The cache was recently cleaned
• Easy Gamer Utility cannot access the folder
• The launcher has changed where it stores its files

For Ubisoft Connect, check that the correct Ubisoft path is selected in Settings.

Also make sure you are using the latest version of Easy Gamer Utility.

Will cleaning cache files remove my games?

Easy Gamer Utility’s Game Launchers cleaning section is designed to remove supported temporary launcher files.

It is not designed to uninstall your games.

Your large game installation folders are stored separately from the launcher cache locations used by these cleaning buttons.

Always read the confirmation message before continuing so you know which launcher cache is about to be cleaned.

Will cleaning cache files delete my saved games?

Game saves are normally stored separately from launcher cache files.

Easy Gamer Utility has a separate Files and backup section for supported saved game locations.

However, it is always sensible to back up important game progress before cleaning, repairing or reinstalling gaming software.

Cloud-synchronised games may also download your latest progress again after you sign in.

Will cleaning the cache sign me out?

Some launchers may ask you to sign in again after their temporary files have been cleared.

Make sure you know your login details before cleaning a launcher.

You may also need to complete two-factor authentication if it is enabled on your account.

When should I clean game launcher cache files?

Consider cleaning a launcher cache when:

• The launcher will not open correctly
• Store pages are blank
• Images are missing
• The game library is not loading
• The launcher is unusually slow
• An update is stuck
• The launcher displays old information
• A launcher error keeps returning
• ComputerSluggish support asks you to clean it

You do not need to clean every launcher cache every day.

Only use the tool when you are troubleshooting a problem or want to remove old temporary files.

What should I do after cleaning?

After the cleaning process:

1. Close the results box if it is still open.
2. Reopen the game launcher.
3. Allow the launcher time to rebuild its temporary files.
4. Sign in again if asked.
5. Check whether the original problem has been resolved.
6. Start your game normally.

The launcher may be slower the first time it opens after cleaning. This should improve after the required files have been recreated.

Cleaning game launcher cache files in simple terms

Close the launcher, open Easy Gamer Utility and go to Clean > Game Launchers.

Use Analyze to check the cache without deleting anything.

When you are ready, click Clean, read the warning and click OK.

Easy Gamer Utility will then try to remove the supported temporary files and show which files were deleted or could not be removed.