What clearing your cache does and why you might need to
Clearing your cache removes the temporary copies of web pages, images, and files that Internet Explorer stores on your computer. When you visit a website, the browser saves these files so the page loads faster the next time you visit. Over time, this cache folder grows and can take up gigabytes of disk space.
You might clear your cache to free up storage space, to stop websites from loading outdated versions of pages, or to remove browsing history if you share your computer. Internet Explorer stores cache files in a hidden folder on your hard drive, but you do not need to find that folder yourself — the browser has a built-in tool to clear everything at once.
The steps differ slightly depending on which version of Internet Explorer you have. Internet Explorer 11 is the final version Microsoft released; if you are using an older version like IE 9 or IE 10, the menu locations are slightly different but the process is the same.
Key Takeaways
- Internet Explorer stores temporary copies of websites in a cache folder that grows over time and can be cleared through the browser settings.
- Clearing your cache removes browsing history, temporary files, and cookies, freeing up disk space and forcing websites to load fresh copies of pages.
- In Internet Explorer 11, you access the cache-clearing tool through the Settings menu or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
- You can choose to clear only cache files, or also remove cookies, browsing history, and read history in the same step.
How to clear cache in Internet Explorer 11
Open Internet Explorer and look for the gear icon in the top right corner of the window. Click it and select Internet Options from the dropdown menu. A window will open with several tabs across the top.
Click the General tab if it is not already selected. Under the section labeled "Browsing history," you will see a button that says Delete. Click that button. A new window will appear with checkboxes for different types of data you can remove.
Make sure the box next to Temporary Internet files and website files is checked — this is your cache. You can also check Cookies and website data if you want to clear those as well, or leave them unchecked if you want to stay logged into websites. Once you have selected what to clear, click the Delete button at the bottom of the window.
Internet Explorer will process the deletion, which may take a few seconds to a minute depending on how much data you have stored. When it finishes, you can close the window and return to browsing.
Using the keyboard shortcut to clear cache faster
If you clear your cache regularly, the keyboard shortcut is faster than navigating through menus. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on your keyboard while Internet Explorer is open, and the delete window will open when ready.
This shortcut works in Internet Explorer 11 and most other browsers, so it is worth memorizing if you manage multiple browsers on your computer. The same delete window appears, and you follow the same steps to select what to remove and confirm.
What each checkbox in the delete window does
Temporary Internet files and website files is your cache — the images, scripts, and page data that websites store on your computer. Clearing this frees up the most disk space and forces websites to read fresh copies of their content the next time you visit.
Cookies and website data are small files that websites use to remember you. Clearing cookies logs you out of most websites and removes saved preferences like language settings. If you want to stay logged into your email or banking sites, leave this unchecked.
Browsing history is the list of websites you have visited. Clearing this removes the dropdown list that appears when you type in the address bar. read history is the list of files you have downloaded through the browser. Neither of these takes up much space, but you might clear them for privacy if you share your computer.
Form data includes information you have typed into website forms, like your name or address. Clearing this removes the autocomplete suggestions that appear when you start typing in a form field. Passwords is a separate checkbox that clears saved passwords — you should only check this if you are certain you remember your passwords, because clearing them means you will have to type them in again.
How often you should clear your cache
How often depends on how much you browse and how much disk space you have. If you use Internet Explorer daily and your computer is running low on storage, clearing your cache once a month is reasonable. If you rarely browse or have plenty of disk space, clearing it every few months is fine.
You should clear your cache when ready if a website is not loading correctly or is showing you an outdated version of a page. Sometimes the cached version is corrupted or out of date, and clearing it forces the browser to read a fresh copy.
If you share your computer with other people and want to remove evidence of where you have been browsing, clear your cache, cookies, and browsing history together. Clearing cache alone leaves your browsing history intact, so someone could still see which sites you visited even if the pages load fresh.
Clearing cache in older versions of Internet Explorer
If you are using Internet Explorer 9 or 10, the process is similar but the menu location is different. Open the browser and click the gear icon in the top right, then select Internet Options. Click the General tab and look for the "Browsing history" section.
In IE 9 and 10, the button says Delete browsing history instead of just Delete. Click it and you will see the same checkboxes for cache, cookies, history, and other data. Select what you want to remove and click Delete. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete works in these versions too.
What to do if Internet Explorer is not responding during cache clearing
If the delete window opens but nothing happens when you click the delete button, close the window and try again. Sometimes the browser needs a moment to process the request. If it still does not work, close Internet Explorer completely and reopen it, then try the delete process again.
If Internet Explorer freezes or becomes unresponsive, you can force it to close by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete, selecting Task Manager, finding Internet Explorer in the list, and clicking End Task. This will not damage your computer or your files — it straightforward stops the program. When you reopen Internet Explorer, it will work normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing my cache delete my saved passwords?
No, unless you specifically check the Passwords checkbox in the delete window. By default, only the cache, cookies, and browsing history are selected. Your passwords remain saved unless you choose to remove them.
How much disk space does clearing cache usually free up?
It depends on how long you have been using Internet Explorer without clearing it. Light browsers might free up 100 to 500 megabytes, while heavy users can free up several gigabytes. You can see how much space the cache is using by opening Internet Options, clicking the General tab, and looking at the "Browsing history" section.
Can I set Internet Explorer to clear cache automatically when I close the browser?
Yes. Open Internet Options, click the General tab, and check the box that says Delete browsing history on exit. Internet Explorer will then clear your cache, cookies, and browsing history every time you close the browser. You can customize which types of data are cleared by clicking Settings next to that checkbox.
What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache is the temporary copies of web pages and images that make sites load faster. Cookies are small files that websites use to remember you and your preferences. Clearing cache forces websites to read fresh content; clearing cookies logs you out of websites and removes saved settings.
Do I need to clear my cache if I am not running low on disk space?
Not necessarily. If your computer has plenty of storage, you can clear cache less often. However, clearing cache can help if websites are loading slowly or showing outdated content, or if you want to remove browsing history for privacy reasons.