What cache is and why you might want to clear it
Cache is temporary data your computer stores to make programs run faster. When you visit a website, your browser saves images and files so the next time you visit, the page loads quicker. Your operating system does the same thing — it stores copies of files you use often so they open faster the second time. Over time, this cache can take up gigabytes of storage space and occasionally cause programs to behave strangely if the stored data becomes corrupted.
Clearing cache won't hurt your computer. The files are temporary by design — your programs will rebuild the cache automatically the next time you use them. The only downside is that some websites and programs will load slightly slower the first time after you clear cache, because your computer has to fetch fresh copies of everything.
Key Takeaways
- Browser cache lives in your web browser settings, not your main computer storage, and each browser stores it separately.
- Windows has a built-in Disk Cleanup tool that removes temporary files, and Mac users can delete the Library folder where cache lives.
- Clearing cache takes five to ten minutes and requires you to restart your browser or computer afterward.
- You can set your browser to clear cache automatically every time you close it, so you never have to do this manually again.
How to clear browser cache in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
Your web browser stores the most cache, and the steps are nearly identical across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Open your browser and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on Windows, or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac. This opens the cache-clearing window directly.
At the top, you will see a dropdown menu that says "All time" or "Time range". Leave it on "All time" unless you only want to clear cache from the last hour or day. Below that, make sure the box next to "Cookies and other site data" is checked, and the box next to "Cached images and files" is checked. Then click the blue button that says "Clear data" or "Delete". Your browser will clear the cache in a few seconds and you will see a confirmation message.
Close your browser completely and reopen it. The cache is now gone. If a website loads slowly the first time you visit it after clearing cache, that is normal — it will be fast again on your next visit.
Clearing temporary files on Windows using Disk Cleanup
Windows stores temporary files in a folder that takes up space over time. Press the Windows key and type "Disk Cleanup" into the search box, then click the Disk Cleanup app when it appears. A window will open asking which drive you want to clean — select your C: drive (your main hard drive) and click OK.
The app will scan your drive for a few seconds. When the results appear, you will see a list of file types with checkboxes. Check the boxes next to "Temporary files", "Recycle Bin", and "Temporary Internet Files". Do not check anything else unless you know what it is. Click the "Delete Files" button at the bottom. Windows will ask you to confirm — click "Delete" again, and the temporary files will be removed.
This process can take a few minutes if you have a lot of temporary files. When it finishes, you can close the Disk Cleanup window. You do not need to restart your computer, but restarting will not hurt anything.
Clearing cache on Mac by deleting the Library folder
Mac stores cache in a hidden folder called Library. Open Finder and click "Go" in the menu bar at the top of the screen. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click "Library" — this folder is normally hidden, but holding Option makes it visible. Click into the Library folder.
Inside, look for a folder called "Caches". Open it and you will see dozens of folders with names like "Google", "Firefox", or "com.apple.Safari". These are cache folders for different programs. Select all of them by pressing Command + A, then press Command + Delete to move them to the Trash. Empty your Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the dock and selecting "Empty Trash".
Close Finder and restart your computer. When it boots back up, your programs will rebuild their cache automatically. The first time you open a program or website after restarting, it may load slightly slower than usual, but this is temporary.
Setting your browser to clear cache automatically
You can tell your browser to clear cache every time you close it, so you never have to do this manually again. In Chrome, click the three-dot menu in the top right corner and select "Settings". Click "Privacy and security" on the left side, then click "Clear browsing data". Check the box that says "Delete cookies and other site data when you quit Chrome". Close the settings tab and you are done.
In Firefox, click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top right and select "Settings". Click "Privacy & Security" on the left. Scroll down to "Cookies and Site Data" and check the box that says "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed". In Edge, click the three-dot menu and select "Settings", then click "Privacy, search, and services" on the left. Scroll down to "Clear browsing data" and toggle on "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser".
What to do if clearing cache does not fix your problem
If a program or website was running slowly and clearing cache did not help, the problem is probably something else. Restart your computer first — this clears temporary memory and often fixes slowness that cache clearing cannot. If the problem persists, check how much free storage space you have left. Right-click your C: drive on Windows (or click the Apple menu and select "About This Mac" on Mac) and look at the storage bar. If you have less than 10 percent of your drive free, your computer will run slowly no matter how much cache you clear.
If you are still having trouble with a specific website or program, try clearing cache for just that program instead of everything. In your browser, you can click the lock icon next to the website address and select "Cookies" to see what data that specific site has stored. You can delete just that site's data without clearing everything else.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords or saved information?
Not if you uncheck the right boxes. When you open the cache-clearing window, you will see separate checkboxes for "Cookies and site data" and "Cached images and files". Uncheck "Cookies and site data" if you want to keep your passwords and saved form information. Clearing only cached images and files will not affect your login information.
How much storage space will I get back by clearing cache?
Browser cache is usually between 100 megabytes and 2 gigabytes, depending on how long it has been since you last cleared it. Temporary files on Windows can be larger. The exact amount varies by how much you use your computer and which websites you visit. You can see how much space will be freed before you click delete — the Disk Cleanup window shows the size next to each file type.
Is it safe to clear cache?
Yes, clearing cache is completely safe. Cache is temporary data by design, and your computer will rebuild it automatically. The only side effect is that websites and programs will load slightly slower the first time you use them after clearing cache, because your computer has to fetch fresh copies of the files.
Do I need to clear cache on my phone too?
Yes, phones accumulate cache the same way computers do. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "General", then "iPhone Storage" and look for apps using large amounts of space. On Android, go to Settings, tap "Apps", select an app, and tap "Storage" then "Clear Cache". You can also clear browser cache on your phone the same way you do on a computer — open your browser settings and look for the cache-clearing option.