What clearing your cache does

Clearing your browser cache removes the temporary files Internet Explorer has stored on your computer — images, web pages, and other data from sites you've visited. When you clear the cache, Internet Explorer stops using those stored copies and downloads fresh versions the next time you visit those sites.

Most people clear their cache when a website looks broken or loads incorrectly, when they want to free up disk space, or when they're concerned about privacy. The process takes less than a minute and won't delete your passwords, bookmarks, or any files you've intentionally saved.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet Explorer stores copies of web pages and images in a cache folder so sites load faster when you return to them.
  • Clearing the cache removes these temporary files but keeps your saved passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history unless you specifically delete those too.
  • The fastest way is to press Ctrl+Shift+Delete, which opens the delete browsing data window directly.
  • You can choose to clear only the cache, or clear it along with other temporary data like cookies and temporary internet files.
  • If Internet Explorer is no longer installed on your computer, you may need to clear the cache in Microsoft Edge or another browser instead.

Clearing cache using the keyboard shortcut

The quickest method is to use the keyboard shortcut. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete at the same time. A window titled "Delete Browsing History" will open when ready.

In that window, you'll see several checkboxes. Make sure the box next to Temporary Internet Files and Website Files is checked — this is your cache. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to remove the cache. Then click the Delete button at the bottom right. Internet Explorer will remove the cached files and close the window when finished.

Clearing cache through the Tools menu

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, you can reach the same window through the menu. Click the Tools icon (it looks like a gear) in the top right corner of Internet Explorer, then select Delete Browsing History from the dropdown menu.

The Delete Browsing History window will open. Check the box next to Temporary Internet Files and Website Files, uncheck any other boxes you don't want to delete, and click Delete. The process works the same way as the keyboard shortcut method.

Understanding what else you can delete at the same time

When you open the Delete Browsing History window, you'll see several options beyond just the cache. Cookies and website data are small files that websites use to remember your preferences and login information — clearing these will log you out of most sites. Browsing history is the list of websites you've visited, which is separate from the cache itself.

You don't have to delete these when you clear your cache. If you only want to remove the cache and nothing else, uncheck all boxes except "Temporary Internet Files and Website Files" before clicking Delete. This is the safest approach if you're only trying to fix a website display problem.

What to do if Internet Explorer isn't on your computer

Internet Explorer was retired by Microsoft in 2022 and is no longer installed on newer Windows computers. If you're using Windows 10 or 11 and don't see Internet Explorer on your computer, you're likely using Microsoft Edge instead, which is the newer browser.

To clear the cache in Microsoft Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete — the same shortcut works. The window that opens will look different, but you'll find an option to clear "Cached images and files," which is Edge's version of the cache. Select your time range at the top (choose "All time" to clear everything), check that box, and click the blue Clear now button.

When to clear your cache and when not to

Clear your cache if a website displays incorrectly, loads very slowly, or shows outdated information. Clearing the cache forces the browser to read a fresh copy of the page, which often fixes display problems. You should also clear it if you're using a shared computer and want to remove traces of the sites you've visited.

Don't clear your cache if you're trying to speed up your browsing overall — the cache actually makes sites load faster by storing copies locally. Clearing it will slow things down temporarily until the cache rebuilds. If you're experiencing general slowness, the problem is usually something other than a full cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing my cache delete my passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from the cache. If you want to keep your passwords but clear the cache, make sure only "Temporary Internet Files and Website Files" is checked in the Delete Browsing History window. Your saved passwords will remain.

How much space does the cache actually take up?

The cache typically uses between 50 megabytes and a few gigabytes, depending on how much you browse. For most people, clearing it won't noticeably free up space on a modern computer, but it can help if your hard drive is nearly full.

Do I need to close Internet Explorer before clearing the cache?

No, you can clear the cache while Internet Explorer is open. However, if a website is currently loading, it's best to wait for it to finish before you clear the cache, since the deletion process may interrupt the load.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores copies of images and web pages so they load faster next time. Cookies are small text files that websites use to remember your login information and preferences. You can delete one without deleting the other by unchecking the boxes you don't want to clear.

Will clearing the cache log me out of websites?

Clearing only the cache will not log you out. If you get logged out, it means you also cleared cookies. To avoid this, uncheck the "Cookies and website data" box and clear only the cache.