How to Clear Visual Studio Cache || Visual Studio Component Cache Location

Visual Studio Component Cache Location

Main Path (User-specific)

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio

Inside this folder, you will see version-specific folders like:

16.0_xxxxxx   → Visual Studio 2019
17.0_xxxxxx   → Visual Studio 2022

---

Common Cache Folders You Can Clear

ComponentModelCache (Most important)

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\16.0_xxxxxx\ComponentModelCache
%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\17.0_xxxxxx\ComponentModelCache

Clearing this fixes:

• Visual Studio slowness

• IntelliSense issues

• Extension load errors

---

MEF Cache

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\16.0_xxxxxx\Cache

---

Roslyn Cache (C# / IntelliSense)

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\17.0_xxxxxx\Roslyn

---

Designer Shadow Cache

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Designer

---

How to Clear Visual Studio Cache (Safe Steps)

Method 1: Manual (Recommended)

1. Close Visual Studio completely

2. Press Win + R

3. Paste:

   %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\VisualStudio

4. Open the required version folder (16.0 / 17.0)

5. Delete these folders:

   • ComponentModelCache

   • Cache

   • Roslyn (optional)

6. Restart Visual Studio
   Cache will be recreated automatically

---

Method 2: Command Prompt

devenv /clearcache

Run from Developer Command Prompt for Visual Studio

---

What NOT to Delete

Do NOT delete:

• Extensions folder

• Settings files

• .vs folder inside your solution (unless troubleshooting)