What clearing cache actually does
Clearing your cache in Microsoft Edge removes the temporary files your browser has stored on your computer — images, scripts, and partial web pages that Edge saved to load websites faster next time. When you clear the cache, Edge forgets these files, so the next time you visit those sites, your browser has to read everything fresh from the internet.
Most people clear cache for one of three reasons: to free up disk space, to fix a website that looks broken or loads incorrectly, or to remove the record of sites you've visited. The cache itself is invisible to you — you never see the folder or the files. Edge manages it automatically in the background.
Clearing cache does not sign you out of websites, delete your passwords, or remove your browsing history unless you specifically tell Edge to clear those things too. You can choose exactly what gets deleted.
Key Takeaways
- Open Edge, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on Windows or Command+Shift+Delete on Mac to jump straight to the cache-clearing screen.
- Set the time range to "All time" if you want to clear everything, or pick a specific range like "Last hour" or "Last 7 days" to keep older files.
- Check only "Cached images and files" if you only want to clear cache; uncheck other boxes to keep your passwords and history.
- Click "Clear now" and Edge will delete the selected files when ready — the process usually takes a few seconds.
- If a website still looks broken after clearing cache, try opening it in an InPrivate window to rule out cache as the problem.
The fastest way: keyboard shortcut
The quickest path is a keyboard shortcut that takes you directly to the cache-clearing screen. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete all at once. On Mac, press Command+Shift+Delete. Edge will open a new tab showing the "Clear browsing data" window.
This shortcut bypasses the settings menu entirely, so you skip several clicks. If the shortcut does not work, your keyboard may have a function key that intercepts it — try holding Fn while pressing the keys, or use the menu method instead.
Clearing cache through the Edge menu
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can reach the same screen through Edge's settings. Click the three horizontal lines (the menu button) in the top right corner of Edge. Select Settings from the dropdown.
In Settings, click Privacy, search, and services on the left side. Under "Clear browsing data," you will see a button that says Choose what to clear. Click it, and the same clearing window opens.
Some people prefer this route because they can see the other privacy settings while they are there — like whether Edge is tracking your activity or saving your browsing history.
Choosing what to delete and when
When the "Clear browsing data" window opens, you will see two dropdown menus at the top. The first one controls the time range — how far back Edge looks when deciding what to delete.
All time clears everything Edge has cached since you installed it. Last hour clears only files from the past 60 minutes. Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, and Last 4 weeks are also options. Pick the range that matches what you want to remove. If a website broke today and you want to fix it, "Last 24 hours" is usually enough.
Below the time range, you will see checkboxes for different types of data. Cached images and files is what most people mean by "cache" — this is the one you almost always want checked. Leave the others unchecked unless you have a specific reason to delete them. If you check Cookies and other site data, you will be signed out of websites. If you check Browsing history, Edge will forget which sites you visited.
Completing the clear and what happens next
Once you have set the time range and checked only "Cached images and files," click the Clear now button. Edge will delete those files when ready — usually in less than five seconds, though it can take longer if you have been using Edge for years without clearing cache.
You will not see a confirmation message. The window straightforward closes and you are back to browsing. The cache is gone. Edge will start building a new cache the moment you visit your next website.
If you were clearing cache because a website looked broken, reload that website now. Edge will read the current version from the internet instead of using the old cached files. If the site still looks wrong, the problem is not cache — it might be a problem with the website itself, or you might need to restart Edge or your computer.
When to clear cache and when not to
Clear cache if a website is loading slowly, showing outdated information, or displaying broken images or formatting. Clearing cache forces Edge to fetch fresh files, which often fixes these problems. You should also clear cache if you are running low on disk space — cached files can add up to several gigabytes over time, especially if you watch a lot of video.
You do not need to clear cache regularly on a schedule. Edge manages cache automatically and will delete the oldest files when it runs out of space. Clearing cache every week or every month is unnecessary unless you have a specific reason — a broken website, low disk space, or privacy concerns about a particular site.
If you want Edge to never store cache, you can turn that off in Settings under Privacy. Click Clear browsing data and toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Edge will then delete cache automatically each time you close it completely.
Troubleshooting if cache clearing does not fix the problem
If you cleared cache and a website still looks broken, try opening it in an InPrivate window. Press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Command+Shift+P on Mac. InPrivate windows do not use cache at all — they read everything fresh and do not save anything when you close them. If the site works in InPrivate, the problem was cache. If it still looks broken, the problem is something else.
Another step is to restart Edge completely. Close all Edge windows, wait a few seconds, and open Edge again. Sometimes Edge needs a restart to fully explore changes. If the problem persists after restarting, the issue is likely with the website itself or your internet connection, not your cache.
If Edge is running very slowly even after clearing cache, the problem might not be cache at all. You might have too many extensions installed, or your computer might be low on memory. Clearing cache will not fix those problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache sign me out of websites?
No, unless you also check the box for "Cookies and other site data." Cache and cookies are separate. Cache is just images and files. Cookies are what websites use to remember you. If you only clear "Cached images and files," you will stay signed in.
How much space does cache usually take up?
It varies widely depending on how much you browse and how many videos you watch. For most people, cache is between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes. If you have been using Edge for years without clearing it, it could be larger. You can see how much space it is taking in Settings under Privacy — look for "Clear browsing data" and it will show you the size.
Can I clear cache automatically every time I close Edge?
Yes. Go to Settings, click Privacy, search, and services, and toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Then check which types of data you want cleared — usually just "Cached images and files." Edge will delete those files automatically when you close it completely.
What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?
Your keyboard might have a function key that is intercepting the shortcut. Try holding Fn while pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete. If that does not work, use the menu method instead: click the three lines, go to Settings, click Privacy, and select "Choose what to clear."
Is it safe to clear cache?
Yes, completely safe. Cache is just temporary files. Clearing it will not damage Edge, your computer, or any websites. The only effect is that websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing cache, because Edge has to read everything fresh.