Clear your cache in Edge through Settings in under a minute

Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click Settings, then Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar. Under "Clear browsing data," click Choose what to clear. A window will open showing what Edge can delete — cache is listed as Cached images and files. Check that box, set the time range (usually All time if you want a complete clear), and click Clear now. The process takes seconds.

If you want Edge to clear cache automatically when you close the browser, stay in the same Settings section and toggle on Clear browsing data under "Clear browsing data." You can then choose which types of data to delete each time you close the app — cache, cookies, history, and others. This prevents buildup without requiring manual clearing.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to clear cache is Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Choose what to clear, then check Cached images and files and click Clear now.
  • You can set Edge to automatically clear cache when you close the browser by toggling on the automatic clear option in the same Settings section.
  • Clearing cache frees up storage space and can resolve loading problems with websites that have updated since your last visit.
  • Cache and cookies are separate — clearing one does not clear the other, so clear both if you want to fully remove browsing traces.

What cache actually is and why you might clear it

Cache is a folder where Edge stores copies of images, scripts, and other files from websites you visit. The next time you return to that site, Edge loads the cached version instead of downloading everything again, which makes pages load faster. Over time, cache can grow to hundreds of megabytes or more, taking up disk space on your computer.

You might clear cache if a website looks broken or loads incorrectly — the cached version may be outdated. Clearing cache also removes browsing traces if you share your computer or want to free up space. Some people clear cache regularly as part of keeping their system organized, while others only do it when a specific site stops working properly.

Clear cache for a specific time period instead of everything

When you click Choose what to clear, Edge shows a dropdown menu for the time range. The options are Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, and All time. Choose the range that matches what you want to delete — for example, if you only want to clear cache from today, select Last 24 hours.

This is useful if you want to keep cache from sites you use regularly but clear recent cache from sites you visited once. You can also clear cache multiple times with different time ranges — clearing Last 24 hours one day and Last 7 days the next week does not cause problems.

Clear cache without clearing cookies and other data

The Choose what to clear window shows checkboxes for different types of data: Browsing history, read history, Cookies and other site data, Cached images and files, and others. By default, multiple boxes may be checked. Uncheck everything except Cached images and files if you only want to clear cache and keep your cookies, saved passwords, and browsing history.

Cookies store login information and site preferences, so clearing them logs you out of websites. If you want to stay logged in while clearing cache, make sure the Cookies box is unchecked. You can always clear cookies separately later if you decide you need to.

Use keyboard shortcuts to open the clear cache window faster

Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac to jump directly to the clear browsing data window without navigating through Settings. This opens the same dialog where you choose what to clear and what time period to use.

The keyboard shortcut works the same way as clicking through the menu — you still select which data types to clear and set the time range before clicking Clear now. If you clear cache frequently, this shortcut saves a few clicks each time.

Set Edge to clear cache automatically when you close it

Go to Settings > Privacy, search, and services and scroll down to "Clear browsing data." Toggle on Clear browsing data. A new section appears below it showing checkboxes for what to clear automatically — check Cached images and files and any other data you want removed each time you close Edge.

Once this is on, Edge clears your selected data every time you fully close the browser. If you close a tab or window but leave Edge running, the data is not cleared — only when you completely exit the app. This is a hands-off way to keep cache from building up without thinking about it.

Troubleshoot if cache will not clear or keeps coming back

If you click Clear now but cache returns when ready, Edge may be set to clear cache automatically on close — check that setting and toggle it off if you do not want automatic clearing. If cache will not clear at all, try restarting Edge completely and trying again. Sometimes the browser needs to fully close before it can delete cache files.

If you are using a work or school account managed by your organization, your IT department may have locked certain cache settings. Contact them if you cannot access the clear cache options or if settings keep resetting. On personal accounts, clearing cache through Settings should always work — if it does not, restarting your computer and trying again often solves the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete my passwords and saved information?

No, unless you specifically check the box for "Passwords and autofill form data" in the clear browsing data window. Cache and passwords are separate. You can clear cache alone and keep your saved passwords, payment methods, and form information intact.

Will clearing cache log me out of websites?

Only if you also clear cookies. Cache stores images and files, while cookies store login sessions. If you uncheck "Cookies and other site data" and only clear cached images and files, you stay logged in to your accounts.

How much space does cache usually take up?

Cache size varies widely depending on how much you browse and which sites you visit. It can range from 100 megabytes to over a gigabyte on a computer used heavily for months. Clearing it regularly keeps it from growing too large, but it rebuilds as you browse.

Can I clear cache from just one website instead of all of them?

Edge does not have a built-in option to clear cache for a single site. You can only clear cache for a time period across all sites. If you want to clear cache for one specific website, clear all cache for the last hour or day, then when ready revisit the sites you want to keep cached.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?

Cache stores copies of images, scripts, and files to make websites load faster. Cookies store login information, preferences, and tracking data. Clearing cache speeds up your computer and fixes broken websites; clearing cookies logs you out and removes site preferences. You can clear either one independently.