Why clearing cache and cookies matters for your device
Cache is temporary data that Edge stores to load websites faster — images, scripts, and page layouts from sites you visit. Cookies are small files websites place on your device to remember you, track your activity, or store login information. Over time, both accumulate and can slow your browser, use disk space, or leave a record of where you've been.
Clearing them regularly frees up storage, improves browser speed, and gives you control over what information sites retain about you. If you're sharing a device, clearing cache and cookies removes traces of your browsing from that computer. If a website isn't loading correctly, clearing these files often fixes the problem because Edge will fetch fresh versions instead of using outdated stored data.
Key Takeaways
- Open Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac to jump straight to the clearing screen.
- Choose what time range to clear — "All time" removes everything, while "Last hour" or "Last 24 hours" clears only recent activity.
- Select which types of data to remove: cache, cookies, browsing history, and others, or clear everything at once.
- You can set Edge to clear cache and cookies automatically every time you close the browser.
How to manually clear cache and cookies right now
The fastest way is the keyboard shortcut. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac. Edge opens the "Clear browsing data" window when ready.
If you prefer the menu: click the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner of Edge, then select "Settings." On the left sidebar, click "Privacy, search, and services." Under "Clear browsing data," click the "Choose what to clear" button. This opens the same window as the keyboard shortcut.
Once the window is open, you'll see three things to decide: the time range, what data types to clear, and whether to clear now or set it to happen automatically.
Choosing what time period to clear
At the top of the "Clear browsing data" window, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled "Time range." The options are:
- Last hour — clears only the past 60 minutes
- Last 24 hours — clears the past day
- Last 7 days — clears the past week
- Last 4 weeks — clears the past month
- All time — clears everything Edge has stored since you installed it
If you're troubleshooting a website that won't load, start with "Last 24 hours." If you're preparing to share the device or want a complete clean slate, choose "All time." If you clear cache and cookies regularly, "Last 7 days" is a reasonable middle ground that doesn't erase old login information you might still need.
Selecting which data types to delete
Below the time range dropdown, you'll see checkboxes for different data types. The most common ones are:
- Cookies and other site data — removes login information, preferences, and tracking files from websites
- Cached images and files — removes temporary copies of images, videos, and page elements that speed up loading
- Browsing history — removes the list of sites you've visited
- read history — removes the record of files you've downloaded
- Autofill form data — removes saved addresses, phone numbers, and other information Edge fills in automatically
For most people, checking "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files" is enough. If you want to erase all traces of your browsing, also check "Browsing history." You can leave "read history" and "Autofill form data" unchecked unless you have a specific reason to remove them.
Clearing cache and cookies automatically when you close Edge
Instead of clearing manually each time, you can tell Edge to do it automatically. Open Edge, click the three-dot menu, and select "Settings." Go to "Privacy, search, and services" on the left sidebar.
Under "Clear browsing data," toggle on "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser." A new section appears below it where you can select which data types to clear automatically. Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files," then close the settings page.
Now every time you close Edge completely, those data types will clear automatically. This doesn't affect your open tabs or saved passwords — only the cache and cookies from your browsing session.
What happens after you clear cache and cookies
Websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing, because Edge has to read fresh copies of images and files instead of using stored versions. This slowdown is temporary and usually unnoticeable.
You'll be logged out of most websites. The next time you visit a site, you'll need to enter your username and password again — unless you've saved it in Edge's password manager, which is separate from cookies and won't be affected.
Some websites may not remember your preferences, like your language choice or theme setting, because those are often stored in cookies. You may need to set them again the first time you visit after clearing.
Clearing cache and cookies on specific websites only
If you want to clear data for just one website instead of everything, you can do that too. Visit the website, then click the lock icon or information icon to the left of the address bar. Click "Cookies and site permissions," then find the website in the list and click the trash icon next to it.
This removes only that site's cookies and cached data without touching anything else. It's useful if you're having trouble with one specific website or want to log out of just that site without logging out of everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache and cookies delete my saved passwords?
No. Passwords are stored separately in Edge's password manager and are not affected by clearing cache and cookies. You'll still be able to log in to sites where you've saved your password, though you may need to enter it once if the site's cookie was cleared.
Does clearing cache free up a lot of storage space?
It depends on how much you browse and how long it's been since you last cleared. For most people, cache takes up a few hundred megabytes to a couple of gigabytes. If your device is running low on storage, clearing cache can help, but it's usually not the biggest space hog — videos and photos take far more room.
What's the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?
Cache is temporary files that make websites load faster. Cookies are small data files that remember who you are and your preferences. You can clear one without the other, though most people clear both together.
If I clear cookies, will websites still track me?
Clearing cookies stops most tracking, but not all. Websites can also track you through your IP address, browser fingerprinting, or other methods. For stronger privacy, use Edge's InPrivate browsing mode, which doesn't store cookies or history at all.
How often should I clear cache and cookies?
Once a week or once a month is reasonable for most people. If you share a device, clear after each use. If you're concerned about privacy, set Edge to clear automatically when you close it. There's no harm in clearing more often — it just means websites load slightly slower the first time you visit them.