What cache is and why you might want to clear it

Cache is a folder on your computer where Internet Explorer stores copies of web pages, images, and files you have visited. When you return to a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet. This makes pages load faster — but it also means your browser is holding onto data about where you have been.

You might want to clear your cache if a website is not displaying correctly, if you want to free up disk space, or if you are using a shared computer and do not want others to see your browsing history. Clearing cache does not delete your passwords or saved usernames unless you specifically choose to clear those too.

Key Takeaways

  • Cache is stored web page data that makes sites load faster but also takes up space on your computer.
  • Internet Explorer stores cache in a folder called Temporary Internet Files, which you can empty through the browser settings.
  • Clearing cache is different from clearing browsing history — you can do one without the other.
  • The exact steps depend on which version of Internet Explorer you are using, as older versions have different menu layouts.

Clearing cache in Internet Explorer 11

Internet Explorer 11 is the final version Microsoft released before discontinuing the browser. To clear your cache, 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 menu that appears.

In the Internet Options window, you will see a section called "Browsing history" near the top. Click the button labeled "Delete". A new window will open with several checkboxes. Make sure "Temporary Internet Files and website files" is checked — this is your cache. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to clear cache. Click "Delete" at the bottom of the window. Internet Explorer will remove the cached files, which may take a few seconds if you have a lot of data stored.

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 slightly different. Open the browser and look for the Tools menu — it may appear as a wrench icon or as a word menu depending on your version. Click Tools and then select "Internet Options".

In the Internet Options window, find the "Browsing history" section and click "Delete". Check the box next to "Temporary Internet Files" and click "Delete" again. The browser will clear the cache folder. If you cannot find the Tools menu, try pressing Alt on your keyboard — this often reveals the menu bar in older versions of Internet Explorer.

The difference between clearing cache and clearing history

Cache and browsing history are two separate things, though many people use the terms interchangeably. Cache is the actual files and images stored on your computer. Browsing history is the list of websites you have visited — the addresses that appear in your address bar when you start typing.

When you clear cache, you are deleting the stored files but not the record that you visited those sites. When you clear browsing history, you are deleting the list of sites you visited but not necessarily the cached files. If you want to remove all traces of your browsing, you should clear both. In the Delete Browsing History window, you can check multiple boxes to clear cache, history, cookies, and other data all at once.

What happens after you clear cache

After you clear cache, websites will load slightly more slowly the next time you visit them because your browser has to read all the files fresh instead of using stored copies. This slowdown is usually only noticeable on your first visit to a site after clearing cache. Subsequent visits will be fast again as new cache builds up.

Clearing cache does not affect your saved passwords, usernames, or payment information unless you specifically checked those boxes in the Delete Browsing History window. If you only checked "Temporary Internet Files and website files", your login information will remain intact.

When to clear cache and how often

You do not need to clear cache on a regular schedule. Most people only clear it when they notice a problem — a website displaying incorrectly, pages loading slowly, or when they want to free up space. On a personal computer that you use alone, clearing cache once every few months is reasonable. On a shared computer, you might clear it more often if you are concerned about privacy.

If a website is not working properly, clearing cache is often the first troubleshooting step to try. Outdated cached files can sometimes cause display problems or prevent new content from loading. After clearing cache, close Internet Explorer completely and reopen it before visiting the site again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, not unless you specifically check the box for "Passwords" in the Delete Browsing History window. By default, only "Temporary Internet Files and website files" is checked, which clears cache but leaves passwords intact.

How much space does cache take up?

Cache size varies depending on how much you browse and which sites you visit. It can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes on a computer used heavily over time. Clearing cache typically frees up at least some disk space, though the amount depends on how much data has accumulated.

Can I clear cache automatically when I close Internet Explorer?

Yes. In Internet Options, go to the "General" tab and look for "Browsing history". Check the box that says "Delete browsing history on exit". This will automatically clear cache and other browsing data each time you close the browser.

What if Internet Explorer is not responding when I try to clear cache?

Close Internet Explorer completely using Task Manager — press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, find Internet Explorer in the list, and click "End Task". Wait a few seconds, then reopen the browser and try again. If the problem persists, restart your computer.