To clear your cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge, start by opening the browser and clicking on the three dots located in the top right corner of the window. Select Settings from the drop-down menu that appears. Look for the tab on the left side labeled Privacy, search, and services. Click that tab and scroll down until you find the section called Clear browsing data. Click the blue button that says Choose what to clear. Check the boxes for cookies and cached images, then select your desired time range. Finally, click Clear now to finish the process.
Cleaning up your browser is a lot like cleaning out a messy drawer in your kitchen. Over time, things just pile up and make it hard to find what you need. The following steps will guide you through the process of removing old digital clutter so your browser can run smoothly again.
Step 1: Open the main menu in the browser
You will need to locate the icon that looks like three horizontal dots. It is situated in the upper right corner of your screen. Clicking this icon opens up the main control center for the browser.
Step 2: Select Settings from the list
A long menu will drop down after you click the three dots. You should scan down near the bottom of this list to find the word Settings. Clicking this will take you to a new page where you can change how the browser behaves.
Step 3: Click on Privacy, search, and services
On the left side of the Settings page, there is a navigation sidebar. You need to find the option that mentions privacy. Clicking this opens up the security controls for your browsing experience.
Step 4: Locate the Clear browsing data section
You will need to scroll down the page a little bit. Keep looking until you see a heading that discusses clearing data. This area controls what information the browser saves about your online history.
Step 5: Click the Choose what to clear button
There is a blue button next to the clearing data option. Clicking this button opens a small window in the middle of your screen. This window is where you make the actual decisions about what gets deleted.
Step 6: Select the time range and data types
You can choose to delete data from the last hour or from all time. Make sure you check the boxes for cookies and cached images. Uncheck anything you want to keep, like your browsing history or passwords.
Step 7: Click Clear now to finish
Once you have selected the right boxes, look for the blue button at the bottom of the window. Clicking this button starts the cleaning process immediately. The window will close automatically once the job is done.
After you complete these steps, your browser will act like it has just woken up from a nap. It might take a few seconds longer to load your favorite websites the first time you visit them. This happens because the browser has to download fresh images instead of using the old ones it had stored. You might also notice that you have been signed out of some of your accounts. You will simply need to type in your username and password again to get back in.
- You can use a keyboard shortcut to save time. Pressing Control, Shift, and Delete at the same time on your keyboard will open the clearing menu instantly. This works on almost every web browser.
- Be careful with the time range option. If you only want to fix a problem that started today, select “Last hour” or “Last 24 hours.” Selecting “All time” will wipe out everything from the day you installed the browser.
- You do not have to delete your history. If you want to keep the list of websites you visited recently, make sure the “Browsing history” box is unchecked. You can clear the cache without losing your history.
- You can set Edge to clear data automatically. There is a setting right below the clear button that allows you to choose what to clear every time you close the browser. This is great for keeping things private on a shared computer.
- Remember that this fixes many loading errors. If a website looks broken or buttons are not working, clearing the cache is usually the best first step to take. It forces the site to reload completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cookies delete my saved passwords?
No, clearing cookies does not have to delete your passwords. There is a specific checkbox for passwords in the menu. As long as you leave the password box unchecked, your saved login information will stay safe.
How often should I clear my cache?
You do not need to do this every single day. It is best to do it once every month or two. You should also do it whenever you run into technical trouble with a website.
Does clearing the cache make my computer faster?
It can help the browser run smoother, but it won’t make your whole computer faster. However, if your cache is massive, clearing it frees up storage space on your hard drive. This can help if your disk space is running very low.
What exactly is a cookie?
A cookie is just a tiny text file that a website saves on your computer. It acts like an ID card. It helps the website remember who you are and what you put in your shopping cart.
Can I clear cache for just one website?
The main settings menu clears everything at once. To clear just one site, you have to go into specific site permissions settings. It is usually easier to just clear everything if you are having issues.
Summary
- Step 1 Open the main menu in the browser
- Step 2 Select Settings from the list
- Step 3 Click on Privacy, search, and services
- Step 4 Locate the Clear browsing data section
- Step 5 Click the Choose what to clear button
- Step 6 Select the time range and data types
- Step 7 Click Clear now to finish
Conclusion
Taking care of your digital tools is just as important as taking care of your physical ones. When you let temporary files pile up for too long, they can act like sand in the gears of a machine. The browser starts to stumble over old data. It might show you old versions of web pages or struggle to load new features properly. By taking a moment to sweep out the dust, you ensure a faster and more secure experience.
Think of this process as regular maintenance for your online life. It does not take much effort, but the rewards are noticeable. You get better privacy because you aren’t carrying around months of tracking cookies. You also get better performance because the browser isn’t digging through a mountain of old files to find what it needs. It is a simple habit that prevents small annoyances from becoming big headaches.
If you ever find that a webpage is acting weird or not loading images, remember these steps. It is the universal fix for many internet problems. Now that you know how to clear cache and cookies on Microsoft Edge, you have the power to troubleshoot your own connection issues. Keep this knowledge handy. You never know when a fresh start is exactly what your browser needs.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.