Personalization Change Icon Cache Size in Windows 11


  • Staff
configuration_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to change the maximum size of the icon cache to fix slow loading icons in File Explorer for all users in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

The icons that display for files in Windows are saved in an icon cache so they can be displayed quickly instead of having to manually scan and slowly load them each time.

Sometimes you may notice File Explorer loads icons slowly when you open a folder with lots of files. Increasing the size of the icon cache may help.

By default, the icon cache is 500 KB. Increasing the icon cache size to 4 MB gives the best results, but you can change the size to what works best for you.

Reference:


You must be signed in as an administrator to change the icon cache size.



Contents





Option One

Change Icon Cache Size using a REG file


1 Do step 2 (4 MB) or step 3 (default) below for what you want.

2 Change Icon Cache Size to 4 MB

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Set_icon_cache_size_to_4MB.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"MaxCachedIcons"="4096"

3 Restore Default Icon Cache Size (500 KB)

A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​

Default_icon_cache_size.reg


(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer]
"MaxCachedIcons"=-

4 Save the REG file to your desktop.

5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

7 Restart the computer to apply.

8 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Option Two

Change Icon Cache Size in Registry Editor


1 Open Registry Editor (regedit.exe).

2 Navigate to the key below in the left pane of Registry Editor. (see screenshot below)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer

MaxCachedIcons-3.png

3 In the right pane of the Explorer key, double click/tap on the MaxCachedIcons string value to modify it. (see screenshot above)

If you do not have a MaxCachedIcons string value, right click on an empty area in the right pane of the Explorer key, click/tap on New, click/tap on String Value, type MaxCachedIcons for the name, and press Enter.


4 Type the icon cache size you want in KB (1 MB = 1024 KB), and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

MaxCachedIcons-4.png

5 Close Registry Editor.

6 Restart the computer to apply.


That's it,
Shawn Brink

 

Attachments

  • configuration.png
    configuration.png
    5.3 KB · Views: 161
  • Default_icon_cache_size.reg
    562 bytes · Views: 101
  • Set_icon_cache_size_to_4MB.reg
    572 bytes · Views: 88
Last edited:
How can the user know if he needs to increase the icon cache ? :eyeroll:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
How can the user know if he needs to increase the icon cache ? :eyeroll:

If you notice icons loading slowly when you open a folder, then it may be a good idea to increase the icon cache size to see if it may help them load faster next time. :-)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
I read that in Windows 10/11 Icon cache size automatically rebuild itself and increase its size when it gets full.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631. 3374)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custome Built
    CPU
    intel i7 13th 13700k
    Motherboard
    ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI
    Memory
    VENGEANCE® 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 DRAM 5600MT/s CL40 Memory Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia founders edition 3080 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Odyssey QHD 165Hz 1ms HDR10 Gaming Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2k
    Keyboard
    Logitech G512
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Hero
    Internet Speed
    1GB Fibers
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET Samrt Security
I read that in Windows 10/11 Icon cache size automatically rebuild itself and increase its size when it gets full.

Hello, :alien:

I haven't seen anything for that. Do you have a link from Microsoft to reference? I'll be happy to add it to the tutorial.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
Hello, :alien:

I haven't seen anything for that. Do you have a link from Microsoft to reference? I'll be happy to add it to the tutorial.
1699825265434.png


I remember I found what he said in Microsoft official forum too, but I cannot find it right now.
Anyway, he is credibly user in this forum, and he did some deep tests.

Source:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2 (OS Build 22631. 3374)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custome Built
    CPU
    intel i7 13th 13700k
    Motherboard
    ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI
    Memory
    VENGEANCE® 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 DRAM 5600MT/s CL40 Memory Kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVidia founders edition 3080 ti
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Odyssey QHD 165Hz 1ms HDR10 Gaming Monitor
    Screen Resolution
    2k
    Keyboard
    Logitech G512
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Hero
    Internet Speed
    1GB Fibers
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    ESET Samrt Security
I remember I found what he said in Microsoft official forum too, but I cannot find it right now.
Anyway, he is credibly user in this forum, and he did some deep tests.

Thank you. It appears that the cache's max size does not automatically get increased though.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Spectre x360 2in1 14-eu0098nr (2024)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 155H 4.8 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Graphics card(s)
    Integrated Intel Arc
    Sound Card
    Poly Studio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED multitouch
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
    Internet Speed
    Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender and Malwarebytes Premium

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