How to Clean Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache
Location & Quick Verdict
%LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache
The Remote Desktop Connection client caches screen tiles and graphical bitmaps (bcache*.bmc files) to speed up remote session rendering.
How Windows Manages Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache on NTFS & NVMe Drives
Windows 10 and Windows 11 maintain hidden system directories and root-level allocation files at %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache to handle shell thumbnail databases, prefetcher launch traces, hibernation power states, and user-profile scratch storage. Because many of these paths are marked with +H (Hidden) or +S (System) attributes or guarded by SYSTEM ACL permissions, standard folder size scans often miss them entirely.
Over time, orphaned temporary files, stale Explorer DataCache_* buckets, and uncompacted virtual storage allocations inside %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache lock up 0.5 GB – 3.0 GB of primary C: drive space. Cleaning Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache using the proper administrative method restores drive headroom safely.
# Inspect current disk footprint of Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache (Read-Only)
$target = "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache"
Get-ChildItem -Path $target -Recurse -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum |
Select-Object Count, @{Name="SizeGB";Expression={[math]::Round($_.Sum / 1GB, 2)}}
Manual Cleaning Instructions
- 1 Close all active Remote Desktop Connection sessions.
- 2 Press Windows Key + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache, and hit Enter.
- 3 Delete all .bmc and .bin files inside.
Note: If Windows alerts that a file is in use or locked by a background process, close the associated task in Task Manager before deleting, or use SWEEPR Cleaner to release locked handles safely.
Sub-Folders & Cache Locations Breakdown for Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache
Modern Windows applications and system services split their disk footprint across multiple sub-directories (`Cache_Data`, `Service Worker\CacheStorage`, `Code Cache`, `GPUCache`, and `Crashpad\reports`). Review which sub-folders inside Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache are safe to purge and which files remain protected:
| Sub-Folder / Cache Location | Storage Role | Typical Footprint | Deletion Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache | Primary System Scratch, Thumbnail/Icon DB or Virtual Allocation | 0.5 GB – 3.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe (Unlocked Files) |
| %LocalAppData%\Temp & C:\Windows\Temp | Orphaned Installer Extraction & Session Scratch Files | 1.5 GB – 18.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe |
| %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer (thumbcache_*.db) | Cached File Explorer Image & Video Thumbnail Databases | 250 MB – 3.0 GB | 🟢 100% Safe (Rebuilds Automatically) |
| User Documents, Desktop & Registry Hives | Personal Files, Boot Configuration & System Certificates | Protected | 🔒 Protected — Never Touched |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to delete Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache?
Yes, 100% safe. Deleting the bitmap cache frees disk space and fixes corrupted graphics or black tiles in Remote Desktop sessions.
How much storage space will cleaning Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache free up?
Users typically reclaim 0.5 GB – 3.0 GB on Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems depending on update frequency and active cache retention in %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache.
Why does Windows say some files in Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache are "In Use" when I try to delete them?
Active background processes (such as explorer.exe, svchost.exe, or running desktop apps) hold open file handles to current session scratch files. Skipping locked files—or letting SWEEPR Cleaner clean unlocked items automatically—is normal and completely safe.
Where is Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache located on Windows 10 and Windows 11?
It is stored at %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Cache. You can paste that path directly into the Windows Run dialog (Win + R) or File Explorer address bar to inspect it.
Manual File Explorer vs. 1-Click SWEEPR Cleanup
| Feature | Manual Deletion | SWEEPR Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Locked File Handling | Fails on locked processes | Safe background release |
| Accidental Deletion Risk | Moderate (easy to delete wrong folder) | Zero (strict rules & hashes) |
| Safety Undo Rollback | None (Shift+Del is permanent) | 7-Day Automatic Rollback |
| Time Required | 10–20 minutes per app | < 60 seconds across 40+ areas |
Related Windows Cleanup Guides & Hidden Space Hogs
Clean Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache Automatically
SWEEPR Cleaner safely clears Windows Remote Desktop (RDP) Bitmap Cache along with 40+ other hidden app folders and leftover files in one click—covering up to 5 devices (Windows, Mac, Android & iOS) with a 7-day undo safety net.