What clearing cache actually does

Clearing your cache in Microsoft Edge removes the temporary files your browser has been storing — images, scripts, and page data from websites you've visited. Your browser keeps these files so that the next time you visit the same site, it loads faster because it doesn't have to read everything again from scratch.

When you clear the cache, you're telling Edge to delete those stored copies. This frees up disk space, can fix problems where a website looks broken or loads old information, and removes a record of where you've been. The trade-off is that websites will load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing, because Edge has to read everything fresh.

Most people clear their cache when a website isn't working right, when they want to remove browsing history, or when their computer is running low on storage space. You can set Edge to clear the cache automatically every time you close the browser, or you can do it manually whenever you choose.

Key Takeaways

  • Clearing cache removes temporary website files stored on your computer, which can fix loading problems and free up disk space.
  • You can clear cache manually in Settings under Privacy, Search, and Services, or set Edge to clear it automatically when you close the browser.
  • Clearing cache will not delete your saved passwords or bookmarks unless you specifically choose those options in the clearing window.
  • If a website looks broken or shows outdated information, clearing cache is often the first thing to try before contacting support.

How to clear cache manually in Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and look at the top right corner of the window. Click the three horizontal lines (called the menu button) to open a dropdown menu. From that menu, select Settings.

In Settings, look at the left sidebar and click Privacy, search, and services. On the right side of the screen, you'll see a section called "Clear browsing data." Click the button that says Choose what to clear.

A window will pop up showing you different types of data you can remove. At the top, you'll see a dropdown menu that says "Time range." The default is usually "All time," which clears everything. You can change this to "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," "Last 7 days," "Last 4 weeks," or "Last hour" if you only want to clear recent cache. Leave it on "All time" unless you have a reason to keep older files.

Make sure the checkbox next to Cached images and files is checked — this is what actually clears your cache. You'll see other options like "Cookies and other site data" and "read history." Leave these unchecked unless you specifically want to delete them too. Click the Clear now button at the bottom of the window.

Setting Edge to clear cache automatically

If you want Edge to clear your cache every time you close the browser without asking, you can turn on automatic clearing. Open Edge, click the menu button (three lines) in the top right, and go to Settings.

Click Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Scroll down until you see a section called "Clear browsing data." You'll see a toggle switch next to the text "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser." Click that toggle to turn it on — it will turn blue when it's active.

Once you turn this on, another option will appear below it: "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser." Click Choose what to clear every time you close the browser to decide which types of data Edge should remove. Make sure Cached images and files is checked, then click outside the window to save your choice. From now on, your cache will be cleared automatically whenever you fully close Edge.

What gets deleted and what stays

When you clear cache, Edge removes only the temporary website files — the images, scripts, and page data that websites store on your computer. Your saved passwords, bookmarks, and browsing history are not deleted unless you specifically check those boxes in the clearing window.

If you want to keep your cache but delete your browsing history, you can uncheck "Cached images and files" and check "Browsing history" instead. If you want to delete everything, you can check all the boxes. The clearing window always shows you exactly what will be deleted before you click "Clear now," so you can see what you're removing.

One important note: clearing cache does not sign you out of websites. You'll still be logged into your email, social media, and other accounts. If you want to sign out of everything, you need to do that separately on each website.

When to clear your cache

Clear your cache if a website looks broken, won't load properly, or is showing you outdated information. This is the most common reason — sometimes Edge's stored copy of a page gets corrupted or out of sync with what's actually on the website. Clearing cache forces Edge to read a fresh copy the next time you visit.

You should also clear cache if your computer is running low on storage space. Cached files can add up over time, especially if you browse frequently. Clearing cache can free up several hundred megabytes or even a few gigabytes, depending on how long it's been since you last cleared.

Some people clear cache for privacy reasons — to remove a record of which websites they've visited. Keep in mind that this only removes files from your computer; it doesn't affect what your internet service provider or the websites themselves know about your browsing.

Troubleshooting if clearing cache doesn't fix the problem

If you cleared your cache and a website still isn't working, try closing Edge completely and opening it again. Sometimes a website problem requires a full browser restart, not just clearing cache. Close all Edge windows, wait a few seconds, and open Edge fresh.

If that doesn't work, try opening the website in a different browser like Chrome or Firefox to see if the problem is specific to Edge or if it's a problem with the website itself. If the site works fine in another browser, the issue is with Edge, and you might need to reinstall it or contact Microsoft support.

If the website still doesn't work in any browser, the problem is likely on the website's end, not your computer. In that case, contact the website's support team and let them know what you're seeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, only the checkbox next to "Cached images and files" is checked by default. Your passwords stay saved unless you specifically check the "Passwords" box in the clearing window.

How often should I clear my cache?

There's no set rule. If websites are working fine and you have plenty of storage space, you don't need to clear cache at all. If you notice websites loading slowly or looking broken, or if your computer is running low on space, clear it then. Many people set it to clear automatically when they close Edge for convenience.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images and page files to make websites load faster. Cookies store information like your login status and preferences so websites remember you. They're separate things, and you can clear one without clearing the other by unchecking the boxes you don't want.

Does clearing cache speed up my computer?

It can free up storage space, which might help if your drive is almost full. But clearing cache won't make Edge run faster while browsing — in fact, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing because Edge has to read everything fresh.

Can I clear cache for just one website?

Edge doesn't have a built-in option to clear cache for a single website. You can only clear all cache or cache from a specific time range. If you need to clear cache for just one site, you can clear all cache and then revisit the other sites you use frequently so Edge rebuilds their cache.