Time to Read: 10 minutes

Is it safe to remove game cache files?

It is normally safe to remove supported game launcher and graphics cache files using Easy Gamer Utility.

Cache files are temporary files created by games, launchers and graphics software. They are usually created again automatically the next time the program needs them.

However, you should always close the related game or launcher first and read the confirmation message before cleaning anything.

What are game cache files?

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

Game cache files are temporary files stored on your computer.

They can help a game or launcher load certain information more quickly.

Cache files may contain temporary copies of:

Store images
Launcher pages
Game shaders
Graphics data
Update information
Error logs
Temporary download information
Web content used inside a launcher

Cache files are normally separate from your installed games and saved progress.

What happens when cache files are removed?

When you remove cache files, the game, launcher or graphics driver can no longer use the old temporary copies.

It will usually create fresh cache files the next time it opens.

After cleaning, you may notice that:

A launcher takes longer to open the first time
Store images need to load again
A game prepares or compiles shaders
You are asked to sign in again
A game briefly stutters while rebuilding graphics data

This behaviour is normally temporary.

Will removing cache files delete my games?

See also: How to find large game folders Article

No.

The game launcher cache cleaning tools in Easy Gamer Utility are designed to remove supported temporary files.

They are not designed to uninstall:

Steam games
Epic Games titles
EA games
Ubisoft games
Battle.net games
Riot games
Microsoft Store games

Installed games are normally stored in separate installation folders.

For example, a Steam game may be stored inside a Steam library, while Steam’s temporary web cache is stored in a different location.

Will removing cache files delete my game saves?

Game saves are normally stored separately from launcher cache files.

They may be stored inside folders such as:

Documents
Saved Games
AppData
Steam userdata
A game installation folder
A cloud-save location

Easy Gamer Utility has separate tools for finding and backing up supported game save data.

The launcher cache buttons are not intended to remove your game progress.

Even so, it is always sensible to back up important saves before carrying out major cleaning, repairing or reinstalling work.

See also: How to clear the Microsoft Store cache Article

Some launchers may ask you to sign in again after their cache has been cleared.

This does not mean your account has been deleted.

Your account, purchases and games remain connected to the game launcher service.

Before cleaning, make sure you know:

Your account email address
Your password
Your two-factor authentication details
Any recovery information you may need

Is it safe to clear Steam cache files?

It is normally safe to clear the supported Steam cache files using Easy Gamer Utility.

The Steam cleaning tool targets Steam’s temporary web cache location rather than your main game library.

After cleaning, Steam may need to reload:

Store pages
Library images
Community content
Other web-based parts of the launcher

Close Steam completely before running the cleaner.

Is it safe to clear Epic Games Launcher cache files?

See also: How to clear graphics card cache files Article

It is normally safe to clear the supported Epic Games Launcher web cache.

This may help when Epic Games Launcher:

Opens to a blank page
Loads slowly
Displays missing images
Has problems loading the store
Shows old information

Close Epic Games Launcher and any running Epic games before cleaning.

The launcher can recreate its web cache after it opens again.

Is it safe to clear Ubisoft Connect cache files?

It is normally safe to clear the supported Ubisoft Connect cache.

Easy Gamer Utility needs the correct Ubisoft Connect installation path before it can locate the cache.

Close Ubisoft Connect and all Ubisoft games first.

Do not manually delete random files from the Ubisoft installation folder. Use the Easy Gamer Utility cleaning button so that only the supported cache location is targeted.

Is it safe to clear EA App cache files?

It is normally safe to remove the supported temporary EA App files and logs.

Close the EA App and any EA games before cleaning.

The EA App can create new temporary files after it is opened again.

If the EA App is currently installing or updating a game, wait for the task to finish before cleaning.

Is it safe to clear Battle.net cache files?

It is normally safe to clear the supported Battle.net cache.

This may help when Battle.net is not loading correctly or displays old information.

Close Battle.net and any Blizzard games before using the cleaning tool.

Your installed Blizzard games are stored separately from the supported cache location.

Is it safe to clear Riot Client cache files?

It is normally safe to remove supported Riot Client cache, crash and log folders.

Close the Riot game and Riot Client completely first.

Riot Client may continue running in the Windows system tray even after its main window is closed.

Check near the Windows clock and exit Riot Client before cleaning.

Is it safe to clear the Microsoft Store cache?

The Microsoft Store cache can normally be cleared safely.

Easy Gamer Utility starts the built-in Windows Store reset tool.

This is intended to reset temporary Microsoft Store information without uninstalling your apps or games.

Microsoft Store may open automatically after the reset.

You may also need to sign back into Microsoft Store or the Xbox app.

Is it safe to clear graphics card cache files?

NVIDIA, AMD, Intel and DirectX cache files are temporary graphics files.

They can normally be cleared safely and will be recreated when needed.

After clearing graphics cache files, a game may:

Take longer to start
Compile shaders again
Briefly stutter while rebuilding the cache
Display a shader preparation message

This should normally improve after the game has recreated the required files.

Clearing the graphics cache does not uninstall your graphics driver.

When should I remove game cache files?

Cache cleaning can be useful when:

A launcher will not open correctly
Store pages are blank
Launcher images are missing
An update is stuck
A launcher is unusually slow
A game has shader problems
A game starts stuttering after a driver update
Temporary files are using unnecessary storage
A troubleshooting guide recommends clearing the cache

You do not need to clear cache files every day.

Can removing cache files cause problems?

Cache cleaning is usually safe, but temporary problems can happen.

For example:

A launcher may need to download fresh images
You may need to sign in again
A game may rebuild shaders
A launcher may take longer to open once
Downloads or updates may be interrupted if they were still running
Open files may not be removed

These problems are normally avoided by closing the game and launcher before cleaning.

When should I not clear cache files?

Do not clean a cache while:

A game is running
The launcher is downloading a game
The launcher is installing an update
Cloud saves are synchronising
The launcher is verifying game files
A game is compiling shaders
Easy Gamer Utility is already performing another task

Wait for the current task to finish first.

Should I analyse the cache before cleaning?

Using Analyze first is a good idea when you are new to Easy Gamer Utility.

Analyze checks the supported cache location and shows the files it finds.

It does not remove anything.

To analyse a launcher cache:

Open Easy Gamer Utility.
Go to Clean > Game Launchers.
Find the launcher you want to check.
Click Analyze.
Review the results.

When you are ready, click Clean separately.

How to safely remove game cache files

Follow these steps:

Save any work you have open.
Close the game.
Close the game launcher.
Check the Windows system tray and exit the launcher.
Pause any active downloads or updates.
Open Easy Gamer Utility.
Go to the correct Clean section.
Click Analyze if available.
Click Clean.
Read the confirmation message.
Click OK to continue.
Wait for the cleaning process to finish.
Review the results.

Do not repeatedly click the Clean button while it is already working.

Why does Easy Gamer Utility show a warning first?

Cache files are removed permanently from their current folder.

Although they can normally be recreated, Easy Gamer Utility asks for confirmation so that you can check you selected the correct launcher.

Click Cancel when:

You selected the wrong launcher
A game is still running
A download is still active
You are not sure what the tool will remove
You are not ready to continue

What does “File Could Not Be Removed” mean?

This means Windows stopped Easy Gamer Utility from deleting a particular file.

The file may be:

In use by a launcher
In use by a game
Locked by Windows
Protected by security software
Inside a protected folder
Missing the required permission

Easy Gamer Utility normally skips the blocked file and continues with the remaining files.

A skipped file does not mean your computer is damaged.

What should I do after cleaning?

After the process finishes:

Review the cleaning results.
Close and reopen the launcher.
Sign in again if asked.
Allow the launcher to rebuild its temporary files.
Start the affected game.
Check whether the original problem has improved.

The first launch may be slightly slower than usual.

Should I restart my computer after cleaning?

A restart is not always required.

Restart Windows when:

Files could not be removed
You cleared graphics cache files to fix a serious problem
The launcher still does not work
A Windows or Microsoft Store problem continues
Easy Gamer Utility recommends restarting

Restarting can release locked files and refresh related services.

Can I delete cache files manually?

Manual deletion is possible, but it carries more risk.

A folder may contain a mixture of cache files, settings, login information and important program data.

Deleting the wrong folder could cause the launcher or game to stop working correctly.

Using Easy Gamer Utility is simpler because its cleaning buttons target known supported cache locations.

Do not delete a folder manually just because its name contains the word “cache” unless you know exactly what it belongs to.

Will clearing cache files improve FPS?

Removing cache files does not guarantee higher FPS.

Cache cleaning may help when damaged or outdated temporary files are causing:

Stuttering
Crashes
Missing graphics
Shader errors
Launcher problems

If the cache is working normally, cleaning it may make no noticeable difference.

In some games, performance may be temporarily worse while shaders are created again.

How often should I clear cache files?

There is no fixed schedule.

Most users only need to clean cache files when troubleshooting a problem.

Consider cleaning when:

A launcher is not working correctly
A driver update caused graphical issues
A game update introduced shader problems
Temporary files have become unusually large
The cache has not been cleaned for a long time
A support guide recommends it

Regularly deleting a working cache can make games and launchers rebuild the same files repeatedly.

Is automatic cache cleaning recommended?

Easy Gamer Utility Pro may include an option to clear supported GPU and DirectX cache files when Windows starts.

Most users do not need to clear these files every time the computer starts.

Automatic cleaning may be useful for testing or specific troubleshooting, but regular shader cache removal can cause games to repeatedly rebuild their graphics data.

Use the automatic option only when you understand what it does.