What clearing cache does and why you might need to

Cache is temporary data that Edge stores on your computer — website images, scripts, login information, and browsing history. Clearing it removes these stored files and forces Edge to download fresh versions the next time you visit those sites.

You might clear cache to free up disk space, solve a website that loads incorrectly, remove stored passwords before letting someone else use your computer, or simply reduce the data Edge has collected about your browsing. The process takes under a minute and does not affect your saved passwords or bookmarks unless you specifically choose to delete those too.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Edge settings, go to Privacy, search, and services, then select "Clear browsing data" to open the deletion window.
  • Choose what time range to clear — "All time" removes everything, while "Last hour" or "Last 24 hours" targets recent activity only.
  • Check only the boxes for data you actually want to delete; cache is labeled "Cached images and files" and is checked by default.
  • You can set Edge to clear cache automatically every time you close the browser if you want this to happen without manual steps.

Clear cache one time through settings

Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click Settings, then select Privacy, search, and services from the left sidebar.

Under the "Clear browsing data" section, click the button labeled Clear browsing data. A window will pop up showing what can be deleted. At the top, you will see a dropdown menu that says "Time range" — this controls how far back the deletion goes. Select All time to remove everything, or choose Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or Last month if you only want to clear recent data.

Below that, you will see checkboxes for different data types. Cached images and files is the cache itself and is checked by default. Leave it checked. You can uncheck everything else if you only want to clear cache, or check additional boxes if you want to delete cookies, browsing history, or other data at the same time.

Click the Clear now button at the bottom right. Edge will delete the selected data and close the window. The process is complete.

Clear cache using the keyboard shortcut

If you clear cache regularly, the keyboard shortcut is faster than navigating menus. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard (or Command + Shift + Delete on Mac). This opens the "Clear browsing data" window directly, skipping the settings menu.

From there, follow the same steps: choose your time range, make sure "Cached images and files" is checked, and click "Clear now". This shortcut works the same way as going through settings — it is just a faster route to the same window.

Set Edge to clear cache automatically when you close it

If you want Edge to delete cache without you having to do it manually each time, you can set it to clear automatically. Open Edge, go to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services.

Scroll down to the section labeled "Clear browsing data". Toggle on the switch next to Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. A new section will appear below it showing checkboxes for different data types.

Check the box next to Cached images and files. You can also check other boxes if you want Edge to delete cookies, history, or other data automatically. Leave unchecked anything you want to keep — for example, if you want to stay logged into websites, leave "Cookies and other site data" unchecked.

Once you have selected what to clear, close the settings page. From now on, every time you close Edge completely, it will automatically delete the data types you selected. This does not happen when you close individual tabs — only when you close the entire browser window.

What to do if a website still loads incorrectly after clearing cache

Sometimes a website continues to display incorrectly even after you clear cache. This usually means the problem is not cached data but something else — a browser extension interfering, cookies causing a login issue, or a problem with the website itself.

Try opening the website in an InPrivate window (Edge's private browsing mode). Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open a new InPrivate window. InPrivate windows do not use cache or stored cookies, so if the site loads correctly there, the problem was definitely cached data or cookies. If it still loads incorrectly in InPrivate, the issue is something else — try disabling browser extensions or contacting the website's support.

If the InPrivate window shows the site working correctly, go back to your regular window and clear cache again, making sure you selected "All time" as the time range. Then close and reopen Edge completely before visiting the site again.

Clearing cache on different devices

The steps above work on Windows and Mac computers. If you use Edge on a phone or tablet, the process is slightly different because the settings menu is organized differently, but the concept is the same.

On an iPhone or iPad, open Edge, tap the three-dot menu at the bottom right, select Settings, then Privacy. Tap Clear browsing data and choose your time range and what to delete. On an Android phone, open Edge, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, select Settings, then Privacy, then Clear browsing data. The options and process are the same as on a computer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my saved passwords?

No. Passwords are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, the checkbox for "Passwords and autofill" is unchecked by default, so your saved passwords remain. If you want to delete passwords too, you have to check that box manually before clicking "Clear now".

Does clearing cache delete my bookmarks?

No. Bookmarks are not affected by clearing cache. They are stored in a different location and are not included in any of the deletion options in the "Clear browsing data" window.

How much space does cache usually take up?

This varies widely depending on how much you browse and how long it has been since you last cleared cache. Cache can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes. If you are running low on disk space, clearing cache may free up noticeable space, but it is usually not the largest storage drain on a computer.

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

Not through the standard clear cache window. Edge does not have a built-in option to delete cache for a single site. Your options are to clear all cache, or to clear cache for a specific time range and hope that covers only the sites you want. If you need more control, you can use InPrivate browsing for sites where you do not want cache stored.

What is the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores website files like images and scripts to make sites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like login status and preferences. Both are temporary data, but they serve different purposes. Clearing one does not clear the other unless you check both boxes in the deletion window.