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 revisit a site, Explorer loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet — which makes pages load faster.
Over time, your cache folder grows large and can slow down your browser or cause pages to display outdated information. Clearing it frees up disk space and forces your browser to fetch the newest version of websites next time you visit them. You might also clear cache if a page looks broken, if you're troubleshooting a website problem, or if you want to remove the record of sites you've visited on a shared computer.
Key Takeaways
- Cache is a storage folder that holds copies of websites and images you've visited, making pages load faster on repeat visits.
- Clearing cache in Internet Explorer takes about one minute and removes stored website data from your computer.
- You can clear cache manually through the Settings menu, or set Explorer to clear it automatically when you close the browser.
- Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically choose to remove those items too.
How to manually clear cache in Internet Explorer
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 dropdown menu. A window will open with several tabs across the top.
Click the General tab if it is not already selected. Under the section labeled "Browsing History," you will see a button that says Delete. Click it. A new window appears with checkboxes for different types of data. 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 unless you want to delete those items too. Click Delete at the bottom of the window. Explorer will clear the cache, which usually takes a few seconds.
The difference between cache and other browsing data
When you clear cache, you are only removing stored website files and images. Your browsing history (the list of sites you visited), passwords, bookmarks, and autofill information stay on your computer unless you check those boxes too.
If you want to delete your browsing history at the same time, check the box labeled History in the Delete Browsing History window. If you want to remove saved passwords, check Passwords. Most people clear cache without touching these other items, since passwords and bookmarks are useful to keep. The choice depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
Setting Explorer to clear cache automatically
If you want cache cleared every time you close Internet Explorer, you can turn on this setting so you do not have to do it manually. Open Internet Explorer, click the gear icon, and select Internet Options. Click the General tab.
Under "Browsing History," check the box that says Delete browsing history on exit. This tells Explorer to automatically clear cache (and any other items you have selected) whenever you close the browser completely. Click OK to save the setting. From that point forward, your cache will be cleared each time you shut down Explorer.
When clearing cache actually solves a problem
Clearing cache works best when a website looks broken, loads incorrectly, or shows outdated information. If a page displays the wrong images, has formatting problems, or says "Page not found" when you know the site is working, clearing cache often fixes it because Explorer will read a fresh copy of the page instead of using an old stored version.
Cache clearing does not fix problems with your internet connection, your computer's speed in general, or issues with your email or passwords. If a site still does not work after you clear cache, the problem is usually something else — try a different browser, restart your computer, or contact the website's support team.
How much space cache actually takes up
The amount of space cache uses depends on how long you have been using Explorer and how many sites you visit. For most people, cache takes up between 100 megabytes and 1 gigabyte of disk space. Clearing it frees up that space, though the difference in your computer's overall speed may be small unless your cache folder had grown very large.
If you are trying to free up space on a full hard drive, clearing cache helps but is usually not the main solution. Deleting old files, uninstalling unused programs, and emptying your Recycle Bin typically free up much more space. Cache clearing is more useful for fixing website display problems than for solving storage issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords?
No. Cache and passwords are stored separately. When you clear cache, passwords stay on your computer unless you specifically check the "Passwords" box in the Delete Browsing History window. Most people clear cache without removing passwords.
What if I clear cache and a website still does not work?
Try closing and reopening Internet Explorer completely, then visit the site again. If it still does not work, try a different browser like Chrome or Firefox to see if the problem is specific to Explorer. You can also restart your computer, which sometimes fixes website loading issues that cache clearing does not.
How often should I clear cache?
There is no set schedule. Most people clear cache once a month or when a website looks broken. If you turn on the "Delete browsing history on exit" setting, Explorer clears it automatically every time you close the browser, so you never have to think about it.
Does clearing cache make my computer faster?
Usually not noticeably. Clearing cache frees up disk space and can help if your cache folder grew extremely large, but it does not speed up your internet connection or your computer's processor. If your computer feels slow, the problem is usually something else.
Can I clear cache for just one website instead of all websites?
Internet Explorer does not have a built-in way to clear cache for a single site. You can only clear all cache at once. If you want to remove data from one specific website, you would need to clear everything and then revisit the sites you want to keep cached.