What clearing cache does and why you might need to

Clearing your cache removes temporary files that Internet Explorer stores on your computer — things like images, scripts, and web pages you've visited. Your browser keeps these files so websites load faster the next time you visit them. Over time, cached files can add up and sometimes cause problems: a website might look broken because your browser is showing you an old cached version instead of the new one, or you might want to free up disk space.

Clearing cache is also useful if you're sharing a computer and want to remove traces of the sites you've visited, or if a website isn't working right and you suspect an old cached version is the culprit. The process takes less than a minute and won't harm your computer or your browsing.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet Explorer stores cached files in a folder on your hard drive, and clearing them removes temporary website data but not your passwords or bookmarks.
  • The fastest way to clear cache is through the Delete Browsing History window, which you can open with Ctrl+Shift+Delete or through the Tools menu.
  • You can choose to clear only cache, or clear cache along with cookies, history, and other browsing data in the same window.
  • If Internet Explorer is running slowly or websites look broken, clearing cache is often the first troubleshooting step to try.

Clear cache using the keyboard shortcut

The fastest way to clear your cache is to use the keyboard shortcut. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete on your keyboard. The Delete Browsing History window will open immediately.

In that window, you'll see a checkbox next to "Temporary Internet Files and website files" — this is your cache. Make sure it's checked. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you only want to clear cache, or check the others if you want to remove cookies, history, and form data at the same time. Click the Delete button at the bottom, and Internet Explorer will clear the selected items.

Clear cache through the Tools menu

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work on your computer, you can reach the same window through the menu. Click the gear icon in the top right corner of Internet Explorer — this opens the Tools menu. Look for "Delete browsing history" and click it.

The Delete Browsing History window works the same way as the keyboard method. Check the box next to "Temporary Internet Files and website files," uncheck anything else you don't want to delete, and click Delete. The process usually finishes in a few seconds.

What gets deleted and what stays

When you clear cache, Internet Explorer removes the temporary files it stored — images, scripts, and cached web pages. This does not delete your saved passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically check those boxes in the Delete Browsing History window.

If you want to clear only cache and nothing else, make sure only "Temporary Internet Files and website files" is checked before you click Delete. All the other checkboxes — Cookies, History, Download History, Form data, and InPrivate Filtering data — are separate and will only be deleted if you check them.

When to clear cache and what to expect

Clear your cache if a website looks wrong or broken, if pages are loading slowly, or if you want to remove browsing traces from a shared computer. After you clear cache, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them, because your browser has to download the files again instead of using the cached copies. This slowdown is temporary — after a few visits, the cache rebuilds and pages load normally again.

If you clear cache and a website still doesn't work right, try closing Internet Explorer completely and opening it again. Sometimes a full restart fixes problems that clearing cache alone doesn't solve. If the problem persists, the issue is likely with the website itself rather than your cache.

Clear cache automatically when you close Internet Explorer

If you want Internet Explorer to clear your cache every time you close the browser, you can set that up in Settings. Click the gear icon and select "Internet options." Go to the General tab and look for the "Browsing history" section. Check the box that says "Delete browsing history on exit."

Once you turn this on, Internet Explorer will automatically clear your cache, cookies, and history every time you close the program. You can still manually clear cache anytime using the keyboard shortcut or Tools menu — this setting just adds an automatic clear when you shut down the browser. If you turn this on, be aware that your browsing history won't be saved between sessions.

Troubleshooting if cache won't clear

If you click Delete and nothing seems to happen, or if the window closes but cache files remain, close Internet Explorer completely and try again. Sometimes the browser locks cache files while it's running, and closing it fully releases those locks so they can be deleted.

If cache still won't clear after closing and reopening Internet Explorer, restart your computer. This clears any locks on the cache folder and usually solves the problem. After your computer restarts, open Internet Explorer and use Ctrl+Shift+Delete again to clear cache. If you're still having trouble, the cache folder itself may have a permissions issue — in that case, you may need to contact your IT support if this is a work computer, or check your Windows user account settings if it's your personal machine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Clearing cache removes only temporary website files. Your saved passwords stay on your computer unless you specifically check the "Passwords" box in the Delete Browsing History window — and Internet Explorer doesn't offer a passwords checkbox by default, so you have to actively choose to delete them.

How much disk space does cache use?

Cache size varies depending on how much you browse and how long it's been since you last cleared it. Most users find their cache uses between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes. If you're running low on disk space, clearing cache can free up some room, though it's usually not the biggest space-saver on your computer.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores website files like images and scripts so pages load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like login details and site preferences. You can clear them separately — cache clears through "Temporary Internet Files," and cookies clear through the "Cookies" checkbox in the same window.

Do I need to clear cache regularly?

Not necessarily. Clearing cache is useful when a website isn't working right or you want to free up space, but there's no need to clear it on a schedule. If you share a computer and want privacy, clearing cache when you're done browsing is a good habit.

Will clearing cache slow down my browsing?

Temporarily, yes — the first time you visit a website after clearing cache, it will load slightly slower because your browser has to download the files fresh. After a few visits, the cache rebuilds and browsing returns to normal speed. If your browser feels slow overall, clearing cache might actually help if old cached files are causing problems.