What clearing cache does and why you might want to

Cache is the folder where Internet Explorer stores copies of web pages, images, and files you've visited. When you revisit a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet — which makes pages load faster. Over time, this cache folder grows large and can slow your browser down, take up disk space, or cause a page to display an outdated version when you need the current one.

Clearing cache is useful when a website looks broken or won't load properly, when you want to free up storage space on your computer, or when you're selling or giving away your device and want to remove your browsing history. It's also a basic privacy step if you share your computer with others, though it won't remove everything — passwords, saved form data, and browsing history are stored separately.

Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft as of June 2022, so if you're still using it, you may want to switch to Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox for security reasons. That said, if you're clearing cache in Internet Explorer, the steps below will work in the older versions still installed on some computers.

Key Takeaways

  • Cache is stored website data that makes pages load faster, but clearing it frees disk space and can fix display problems on outdated pages.
  • In Internet Explorer, you clear cache through the Delete Browsing History window, which you can reach from the Tools menu or by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete.
  • You can choose to clear only cache while keeping passwords and saved form data, or clear multiple types of data at once.
  • Internet Explorer is no longer updated or supported, so consider switching to a newer browser like Microsoft Edge for better security and speed.

How to clear cache in Internet Explorer 11

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's not already selected.

Under the section labeled Browsing History, you'll see a button that says Delete. Click it. A new window called Delete Browsing History will appear with several checkboxes. Make sure the box next to Temporary Internet Files and Website Files is checked — this is your cache. You can uncheck the other boxes if you want to keep passwords, form data, or browsing history. Then click the Delete button at the bottom of the window.

Internet Explorer will process for a few seconds, then close the window. Your cache is now cleared. The next time you visit a website, your browser will read fresh copies of all the files instead of using stored versions.

Using the keyboard shortcut

If you prefer not to navigate menus, you can open the Delete Browsing History window directly by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Delete on your keyboard while Internet Explorer is open. This takes you straight to the same window described above, where you can choose what to delete and click Delete.

This shortcut works the same way in most other browsers too — Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge all use Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open their cache-clearing tools. If you're switching browsers, this is one keyboard command that will feel familiar.

The difference between cache and other browsing data

When you clear browsing history in Internet Explorer, you're actually choosing from several different types of stored data. Temporary Internet Files and Website Files is the cache — the images, scripts, and page layouts that make sites load faster. Cookies and website data are small files that remember your login status and preferences. Browsing history is the list of sites you've visited. read history is the list of files you've downloaded. Form data is information you've typed into search boxes and login fields that the browser offers to fill in automatically next time.

You don't have to clear all of these at once. If you only want to free up disk space, clearing cache alone is enough. If you want to remove evidence of where you've been, you'd also want to clear browsing history and cookies. If you're troubleshooting a broken website, clearing cache is usually the first thing to try. The Delete Browsing History window lets you pick and choose, so you can clear only what you need to.

What clearing cache won't do

Clearing cache does not delete your saved passwords, even if you check the box for "Passwords" in the Delete Browsing History window — that data is stored in a separate, encrypted location. Clearing cache also doesn't sign you out of websites automatically, though you may need to log in again the next time you visit because the login cookie is gone. It doesn't remove malware or viruses; if your computer is infected, clearing cache won't fix that.

If you're concerned about privacy, clearing cache is a start, but it's not complete. Websites can still track you through other methods, and your internet service provider can still see which sites you visit. Clearing cache is useful for freeing space and fixing display problems, but it's not a privacy solution on its own.

Why Internet Explorer is outdated and what to use instead

Microsoft stopped supporting Internet Explorer in June 2022, which means it no longer receives security updates or bug fixes. Using an unsupported browser leaves your computer more vulnerable to attacks and malware. If you're still using Internet Explorer, Microsoft recommends switching to Microsoft Edge, which is built into Windows 10 and later and handles cache clearing the same way — through a settings menu or Ctrl+Shift+Delete.

Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are also widely used alternatives. Both are faster than Internet Explorer, support modern web standards better, and receive regular security updates. If you switch browsers, your old cache in Internet Explorer will stay there until you delete it, but your new browser will start with its own empty cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache sign me out of websites?

Clearing cache alone won't sign you out, but if you also clear cookies and website data, you will be logged out of most sites. You'll need to log in again the next time you visit. If you only want to clear cache and keep your login sessions, uncheck the "Cookies and website data" box in the Delete Browsing History window.

How often should I clear my cache?

There's no set schedule. Clear cache when a website looks broken, when your browser feels slow, or when you're running low on disk space. Some people clear it weekly; others only when they notice a problem. If you share your computer with others and want privacy, clearing cache before you stop using the browser is a good habit.

Can I set Internet Explorer to clear cache automatically when I close it?

Yes. Open Internet Options from the gear menu, go to the General tab, and check the box that says "Delete browsing history on exit." Internet Explorer will then clear your cache, cookies, and browsing history every time you close the browser. You can customize which data types are deleted by clicking the Settings button next to that checkbox.

What if I accidentally cleared cache and need to recover a file?

Once cache is deleted, it's gone — Internet Explorer doesn't keep a backup. If you need to recover a file you downloaded, check your Downloads folder or Recycle Bin. If you need to see a website the way it looked before, the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine (archive.org) sometimes has snapshots of older versions of pages.

Is clearing cache the same in Microsoft Edge?

The process is similar but the menu location is different. In Microsoft Edge, click the three-dot menu in the top right, select "Settings," go to "Privacy, search, and services," and click "Clear browsing data." You can also use Ctrl+Shift+Delete. The options are the same — you choose what types of data to clear.