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've visited. When you return to a website, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet — which makes pages load faster.

Over time, cache builds up and takes up disk space. More importantly, cached files can become outdated. If a website changed but your browser is still showing you the old cached version, you might see broken layouts, missing images, or information that's no longer current. Clearing cache forces your browser to read the newest version of everything the next time you visit.

You might also clear cache for privacy — it removes the record of sites you've visited and files you've downloaded from that folder on your computer. This is especially useful if you share a computer with others or want to keep your browsing activity from being visible on your machine.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet Explorer stores copies of websites and images in a cache folder to make pages load faster, but these files can become outdated.
  • The fastest way to clear cache in Internet Explorer is through the Delete Browsing History window, which you open with Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
  • You should check the "Temporary Internet Files" checkbox to clear cache; other options like cookies and history are separate and optional.
  • After clearing cache, you may need to refresh a website or restart your browser to see the newest version of pages.
  • You can set Internet Explorer to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser if you want this to happen without manual steps.

Opening the Delete Browsing History window

The Delete Browsing History window is where you control what gets cleared. Open it by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete on your keyboard all at once. A window will appear with several checkboxes.

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work, you can also reach this window through the menu: click the gear icon in the top right corner of Internet Explorer, select "Safety," then click "Delete Browsing History." Both methods open the same window.

Selecting what to clear

The Delete Browsing History window shows several options. The one you want is "Temporary Internet Files" — this is the cache. Make sure the checkbox next to it is marked.

You'll also see options for "Cookies," "History," "read History," and others. These are separate from cache. Cookies are small files that remember your login information and preferences on websites. History is the list of sites you've visited. You can clear these too if you want, but they're not cache. For now, focus on "Temporary Internet Files" if you only want to clear cache.

At the top of the window, you'll see a time range dropdown that says something like "All" or "Last hour." If you want to clear everything, leave it on "All." If you only want to clear cache from the last few days, you can select a shorter timeframe. This gives you control over how much you remove at once.

Completing the clear

Once you've checked "Temporary Internet Files" and chosen your time range, click the "Delete" button at the bottom of the window. Internet Explorer will process for a few seconds — the amount of time depends on how much cache you have stored.

When it finishes, the window closes and you're back to your browser. The cache is now cleared. You won't see a confirmation message, but the deletion has completed successfully.

Seeing the changes after clearing cache

After you clear cache, the next time you visit a website, Internet Explorer will read the current version instead of showing you what was stored. You might notice pages load slightly slower the first time because the browser is fetching everything fresh from the internet.

If you were having trouble with a website showing outdated information or broken images, refresh the page by pressing F5 or clicking the refresh button (the circular arrow) in the toolbar. This forces Internet Explorer to reload the page from the internet rather than from cache. For a more thorough refresh that ignores all cached content, press Ctrl+F5 instead.

Clearing cache automatically

If you clear cache regularly, you can set Internet Explorer to do it automatically when you close the browser. Click the gear icon, select "Internet Options," then click the "General" tab. Under "Browsing History," check the box that says "Delete browsing history on exit." From then on, cache will clear every time you close Internet Explorer completely.

This is useful if you share a computer or want to keep your browsing private, but it also means pages will load slightly slower on your next visit because cache won't be available to speed things up. You can turn this setting off anytime by unchecking the same box.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords or saved usernames?

No. Passwords and usernames are stored in a different location called "Passwords" in the Delete Browsing History window. Cache only contains copies of web pages and images. If you want to keep your passwords but clear cache, leave the "Passwords" checkbox unchecked.

What if I clear cache and a website still looks wrong?

Try pressing Ctrl+F5 instead of just F5 — this is a "hard refresh" that tells Internet Explorer to ignore cache completely and read everything new. If the problem persists, the issue is likely with the website itself, not your cache.

How much disk space does cache usually take up?

Cache typically uses between 50 megabytes and a few gigabytes depending on how much you browse. For most people, it's not a major concern, but clearing it occasionally keeps your computer running smoothly and frees up space.

Can I clear cache without clearing history?

Yes. In the Delete Browsing History window, check only "Temporary Internet Files" and leave "History" unchecked. This clears cache but keeps your browsing history intact.

Why is my website still showing old information after I cleared cache?

Some websites use additional caching on their servers, not just in your browser. Clearing your local cache removes what Internet Explorer stored, but the website's own server might still be serving an older version. Wait a few minutes and try again, or contact the website if the problem continues.