What clearing your cache does

Clearing your cache removes the temporary files Internet Explorer has stored on your computer — images, web pages, login information, and browsing history that the browser saved to load websites faster next time. When you clear the cache, you delete those stored files, which means websites will load from scratch the next time you visit them and you will have to log back into accounts you were previously signed into.

Most people clear their cache to free up disk space, remove browsing history for privacy, or fix a website that is displaying incorrectly because an old cached version is loading instead of the current one. If a page looks broken or a button is not working, clearing the cache often solves the problem because the browser is forced to read the fresh version.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing your cache deletes temporary files Internet Explorer stored, which frees up space and removes your browsing history from that computer.
  • Internet Explorer versions 9 and earlier use the Delete Browsing History window, while versions 10 and 11 use the Clear Browsing Data option in Settings.
  • You can choose to clear only the cache, or also delete cookies, history, and saved passwords at the same time.
  • Websites will load slower the first time after clearing cache because the browser has to read everything fresh instead of using stored copies.

Steps for Internet Explorer 9 and earlier

Open Internet Explorer and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard. This opens the Delete Browsing History window. Check the box next to Temporary Internet Files — this is your cache. You can also check Cookies to remove login information, History to delete your list of visited sites, or leave those unchecked if you only want to clear the cache.

Click the Delete button at the bottom right. Internet Explorer will remove the files you selected. The window will close when it is finished. You can now close Internet Explorer and reopen it — the cache is gone.

Steps for Internet Explorer 10 and 11

Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon in the top right corner, then select Internet Options. In the window that opens, find the section labeled Browsing History and click the Delete button. A new window will appear with checkboxes for different types of data.

Make sure Temporary Internet Files and Website Files is checked — this is your cache. You can also check Cookies and website data to remove login information, or History to delete your visited sites list. Click Delete at the bottom. When the window closes, your cache has been cleared.

What gets deleted when you clear cache

The cache itself contains only temporary files — images, stylesheets, and page code that websites use. Deleting the cache does not remove your passwords, usernames, or payment information unless you specifically check the box for cookies. It also does not affect your browsing history unless you check that box separately.

If you want to clear only the cache and nothing else, uncheck all other boxes before clicking Delete. If you want to remove everything — cache, cookies, history, and saved passwords — check all the boxes. Internet Explorer lets you choose what to delete, so you have control over what stays and what goes.

Why a website might look wrong after clearing cache

After you clear your cache, websites will load slower the first time you visit them because Internet Explorer has to read every image, stylesheet, and script from scratch instead of using the copies it stored. This is normal and temporary — once the page loads, Internet Explorer will cache those files again for faster loading next time.

If a website still looks broken after clearing the cache and reloading the page, the problem is not your cache. Try a different browser like Chrome or Firefox to see if the page displays correctly there. If it does, the issue is with Internet Explorer itself, and you may need to update it or use a different browser for that site.

When you should and should not clear your cache

Clear your cache if a website is displaying incorrectly, if you want to remove your browsing history from the computer, or if you are running low on disk space. You should also clear your cache if you are using a shared computer and do not want other users to see where you have been online. Clearing cache before selling or giving away a computer is a good privacy step.

You do not need to clear your cache regularly just to keep your computer running fast — the cache actually helps performance by storing files locally. Clearing it too often means websites load slower because the browser has to re-read everything. Clear your cache only when you have a specific reason to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing cache delete my passwords?

No, not unless you check the box for cookies and saved passwords. The cache itself only stores images and page code. If you want to clear only the cache and keep your saved passwords, uncheck the cookies box before clicking Delete.

Will clearing cache make my computer faster?

Clearing cache frees up disk space, but it will not make your computer run faster in daily use. In fact, websites may load slower the first time after clearing cache because the browser has to read files fresh. Clear cache only if you need the disk space or want to remove browsing history.

Can I clear cache for only one website instead of all websites?

Internet Explorer does not have a built-in option to clear cache for a single site. You can clear all cache at once, or you can manually delete the Temporary Internet Files folder through Windows File Explorer, but that affects all sites. For more control over individual sites, consider using a different browser like Chrome.

What is the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images and page code to make websites load faster. Cookies store login information, preferences, and tracking data. You can delete them separately — clear cache without touching cookies if you want to stay logged into your accounts, or clear cookies without clearing cache if you only want to remove login information.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no need to clear cache on a schedule. Clear it only when a website looks broken, when you want to remove browsing history, or when you need disk space. Clearing cache regularly actually hurts performance because websites load slower without cached files.