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The Not-So-Pretty Side of Big Tech

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Most of us grow up thinking that the things we buy and store online are ours. Games, apps, files, even the email addresses tied to our names. But big tech companies like Microsoft remind us that nothing in their ecosystem really belongs to us. Recently, Microsoft suspended my Outlook account. They claimed that my OneDrive contained “child porn.”  Let me be clear: I download adult videos from the open web. I am not a pedophile. Yet Microsoft’s algorithms, terms of service, and opaque enforcement systems flagged my content as illegal, locked me out of my account, and informed me that I cannot appeal for six months. When you use Microsoft services, you’re not really buying a product; you’re renting access. Their terms give them permission to scan files on your computer, in your cloud storage, and across your account. The moment something doesn’t fit their rules, they can revoke everything: your email, your purchased games, even the apps you’ve paid for. Microsoft’s policy is blun...
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Clear the Cache on Windows with Task Scheduler

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Create a Batch File to Clear the Cache

  1. Open Notepad:
    Press Win + R, type notepad, and hit Enter.

  2. Enter the Script:
    Copy and paste the following commands into Notepad. This script will delete all files and folders in your temporary folder:

    @echo off
echo Clearing cache...
REM Delete files in the temp folder
del /q /f "%temp%\*"
REM Delete folders in the temp folder
for /d %%p in ("%temp%\*") do rmdir "%%p" /s /q
echo Cache cleared.

    A little note: This script targets the Windows temporary folder (which is generally safe). Always double-check to make sure this is what you want to clear.

  3. Save the File:
    Click File > Save As and set the following:

    • File name: clear_cache.bat
    • Save as type: All Files (.)
    • Location: For example, you can create a folder like C:\Scripts and save it there.

    Then click Save.


Create a Scheduled Task

  1. Open Task Scheduler:
    Press Win + S, type Task Scheduler, and press Enter.

  2. Create a Basic Task:

    • In the Task Scheduler window, click on Create Basic Task... in the right-hand pane.
    • Name and Description:
      • Name: Clear Cache Daily
      • Description: (Optional) Something like “Clears the temporary cache every day.”
    • Click Next.

  3. Set the Trigger:

    • Trigger: Select Daily.
    • Start Date and Time: Choose the day and time you’d like the task to run (for instance, when you’re unlikely to be actively using the PC).
    • Click Next.

  4. Set the Action:

    • Action: Choose Start a program.
    • Program/script:
      • Click Browse... and navigate to where you saved your clear_cache.bat file (e.g., C:\Scripts\clear_cache.bat).
    • Click Next.

  5. Finish the Wizard:
    Review your settings and click Finish.


(Optional) Run with Elevated Privileges

Sometimes deleting files in system directories requires administrative privileges. To ensure the task runs smoothly:

  1. In Task Scheduler, locate your newly created task in the Task Scheduler Library.
  2. Right-click on the task and choose Properties.
  3. Under the General tab, check the box that says Run with highest privileges.
  4. Click OK.

Test the Task

  1. In Task Scheduler, right-click your task and select Run.
  2. Observe if a command prompt window appears and the script executes. You should see the messages “Clearing cache…” and “Cache cleared.”

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