What clearing your cache does and why you might need to

Your browser cache is a folder on your computer where Internet Explorer stores copies of web pages, images, and files you have visited. When you revisit a site, your browser loads these stored copies instead of downloading everything again — this makes pages load faster. Over time, the cache grows large and can slow down your browser or cause pages to display incorrectly.

Clearing the cache removes these stored files and forces your browser to download fresh copies the next time you visit those sites. This solves most problems where a page looks broken, won't load properly, or seems stuck on old information. It also frees up disk space on your computer.

You should clear your cache if a website is not displaying correctly, if you are having trouble logging into an account, or if your computer is running slowly. Clearing cache does not delete your passwords or saved usernames — those are stored separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet Explorer stores web pages and images in a cache folder to make sites load faster, but this can cause display problems or slow performance over time.
  • You can clear the cache in Internet Explorer by opening the Tools menu, selecting Delete Browsing History, and checking the Temporary Internet Files box.
  • Clearing cache removes stored web files but does not delete your passwords, usernames, or browsing history unless you specifically check those boxes too.
  • If a website still does not work after clearing cache, try closing and reopening Internet Explorer completely before visiting the site again.

Steps to clear cache in Internet Explorer 11

Step 1: Open the Tools menu. In the top right corner of Internet Explorer, click the gear icon (⚙). A dropdown menu will appear. Click "Delete browsing history" near the top of that menu.

Step 2: Select what to delete. A window titled "Delete Browsing History" will open. You will see several checkboxes. Make sure the box next to "Temporary Internet Files and website files" is checked — this is your cache. Leave the other boxes unchecked unless you want to delete those items too.

Step 3: Click Delete. Once you have checked only the Temporary Internet Files box, click the blue "Delete" button at the bottom of the window. Internet Explorer will remove the cached files. This may take a few seconds if your cache is large.

Step 4: Close the window. When the deletion is complete, the window will close automatically. Your cache is now empty.

Steps to clear cache in Internet Explorer 10 and earlier versions

If you are using an older version of Internet Explorer, the steps are slightly different. Click the gear icon in the top right, then select "Internet Options" from the dropdown menu.

In the window that opens, you will see a section called "Browsing history." Click the "Delete" button. A new window will appear with checkboxes. Check the box for "Temporary Internet Files and website files" and uncheck the others. Click "Delete" and wait for the process to finish.

What to do if clearing cache does not fix the problem

If a website still does not work correctly after clearing your cache, close Internet Explorer completely and reopen it. Sometimes the browser needs a full restart to load pages fresh. Then visit the website again.

If the problem continues, try clearing your cache again and also check the "Cookies and website data" box this time. Some sites store login information in cookies, and clearing both together can solve stubborn problems. Be aware that you may need to log back into websites after doing this.

If the site still has issues, the problem may be on the website's end rather than your computer. Try visiting the site from a different browser like Chrome or Firefox to see if the problem happens there too. If it does not, Internet Explorer may need to be updated or reinstalled.

How to set Internet Explorer to clear cache automatically

You can tell Internet Explorer to delete your cache every time you close the browser, so you do not have to do it manually. Click the gear icon and select "Internet Options." In the window that opens, find the "Browsing history" section and check the box that says "Delete browsing history on exit."

With this setting turned on, your cache will be cleared automatically whenever you close Internet Explorer. This is useful if you share a computer with other people or if you want to keep your disk space free. Your passwords and saved usernames will not be deleted unless you specifically checked those boxes in the Delete Browsing History window.

The difference between cache, cookies, and browsing history

These three things are stored separately in Internet Explorer, and clearing one does not clear the others. Your cache holds copies of web pages and images. Your cookies hold small files that websites use to remember you — this is how sites keep you logged in and remember your preferences. Your browsing history is the list of websites you have visited, which appears in the dropdown when you click the back button.

Clearing cache solves display problems and frees up space. Clearing cookies logs you out of websites and removes saved preferences. Clearing history removes the list of sites you have visited. Most of the time, you only need to clear cache. Clear cookies if you are having login problems or want to remove saved passwords. Clear history if you want to hide the sites you have visited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. Clearing cache alone will not remove your saved passwords or usernames. If you want to delete passwords, you need to check the "Passwords" box in the Delete Browsing History window, but this is not necessary for most problems.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no set schedule. Clear your cache when a website is not displaying correctly, when you are having trouble logging in, or when your computer is running slowly. If you share a computer with others, you may want to clear it more often for privacy. You can also set it to clear automatically when you close Internet Explorer.

What if I accidentally deleted something I needed?

Cache files are temporary — they will be downloaded again the next time you visit those websites. If you deleted cookies by mistake, you may need to log back into websites and re-enter saved information like addresses or payment methods. Deleted browsing history cannot be recovered.

Does clearing cache make Internet Explorer faster?

It can. A very large cache takes up disk space and can slow down your computer. Clearing it frees up that space. However, the first time you visit sites after clearing cache, they may load slightly slower because your browser has to download everything fresh instead of using stored copies.

Can I clear cache for only one website instead of all websites?

Internet Explorer does not have a built-in option to clear cache for a single site. You have to clear all cached files at once. If you only want to refresh one website, try pressing Ctrl+F5 while viewing that site — this forces your browser to download a fresh copy of that page without clearing your entire cache.