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 return to a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet — which makes pages load faster.

Over time, cache builds up. You might want to clear it if a page looks broken or outdated, if you're selling or giving away your computer, if you share it with others and want to remove your browsing history, or if you're running low on disk space. Clearing cache won't delete your passwords or saved usernames unless you specifically choose to remove those too.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet Explorer stores cache in a folder called Temporary Internet Files, which you can clear through the browser's settings menu.
  • You can choose to delete only cache, or also remove browsing history, cookies, and passwords at the same time.
  • The exact steps differ slightly between Internet Explorer 9, 10, and 11, but all use the Delete Browsing History window.
  • Clearing cache takes less than a minute and won't prevent you from browsing normally afterward.

Clearing cache in Internet Explorer 11

Open Internet Explorer and look at the top right corner. Click the gear icon (called Settings), then select Safety from the dropdown menu. Choose Delete Browsing History.

A window will open with checkboxes for different types of data. Make sure Temporary Internet Files and Website Files is checked — this is your cache. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to remove cache. Click Delete at the bottom of the window. The process usually takes a few seconds.

Clearing cache in Internet Explorer 9 and 10

The steps are nearly identical to IE 11. Click the gear icon in the top right, select Safety, then Delete Browsing History. Check the box next to Temporary Internet Files and click Delete.

If you're using Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8, you may see the option labeled Temporary Files instead of Temporary Internet Files and Website Files — they refer to the same thing.

What else you can delete at the same time

The Delete Browsing History window lets you remove other data alongside cache. Cookies are small files websites use to remember you — clearing them logs you out of most sites. Browsing history is the list of pages you've visited. read history is the record of files you've downloaded, not the files themselves.

If you check Passwords, Internet Explorer will forget any usernames and passwords you've saved. This is useful if you're sharing your computer or preparing to sell it, but it means you'll need to type your passwords in again the next time you visit those sites. Most people leave this unchecked unless they have a specific reason to remove saved passwords.

Clearing cache automatically when you close the browser

If you want Internet Explorer to delete cache every time you close it, you can set that up. Click the gear icon, select Internet Options, and go to the General tab. Under "Browsing history," check the box that says Delete browsing history on exit. Click OK.

This setting will clear cache, cookies, and browsing history automatically — you won't be able to choose which ones to keep. If you want more control over what gets deleted, it's better to clear cache manually when you need to rather than turning on this automatic option.

If Internet Explorer won't let you delete cache

Sometimes Internet Explorer is running in the background even after you close all windows, which prevents the cache from being deleted. Close Internet Explorer completely, then open it again and try deleting the cache. If you're on a work or school computer, your administrator may have locked the cache settings — in that case, you won't be able to change them.

On Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft has moved away from Internet Explorer. If you're using an older version of Windows and Internet Explorer is your main browser, consider switching to Edge, Chrome, or Firefox, which have simpler cache-clearing options and receive security updates more regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my saved passwords?

No, not unless you specifically check the box for passwords in the Delete Browsing History window. By default, only cache, cookies, and history are removed. If you want to keep your passwords but clear everything else, leave that box unchecked.

How much space will clearing cache free up?

It depends on how long it's been since you last cleared it and how much you browse. Cache typically takes up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes. If your computer is running low on storage, clearing cache can help, but it's usually not a major solution — uninstalling unused programs or deleting old files will free up more space.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

Not unless you're having problems with pages loading incorrectly or you're concerned about privacy. Cache makes browsing faster, so there's no harm in leaving it alone. Clear it when you notice a page looks wrong, when you're about to sell your computer, or if someone else will be using it.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores copies of web pages and images to make them load faster. Cookies are small text files that websites use to remember information about you — like your login status or shopping cart. You can delete them separately or together.