To clear your cache in Microsoft Edge quickly, open the browser and click the three horizontal dots in the top right corner of the window. Select Settings from the dropdown menu that appears. Next, click on Privacy, search, and services in the menu on the left side of the screen. Scroll down until you see the section labeled Clear browsing data and click the blue button that says Choose what to clear. Check the box next to Cached images and files while making sure other boxes are unchecked if you want to keep them. Finally, click Clear now to finish the process.
How to clear cache on Edge browser – Tutorial
This section will guide you through the exact process of removing temporary files from your computer. We are going to navigate through the settings menu to find the right options. Following these instructions will help resolve loading errors and might even speed up your browsing experience.
Step 1: Open the main menu by clicking the three dots
You need to locate the button that looks like three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of the browser window. This icon is technically called the Settings and more button. Clicking it will drop down a long list of options for you to choose from.
Step 2: Select settings from the dropdown list
Look near the bottom of the menu that just appeared to find the gear icon labeled Settings. This action will open a new tab in your browser dedicated entirely to configuration options. It is where you control how Edge behaves and handles your data.
Step 3: Navigate to the privacy section
On the left side of the new Settings tab, look for a navigation sidebar with several categories. You need to click on the option that reads Privacy, search, and services. If your window is small, you might need to click a three-line menu button to see this sidebar.
Step 4: Access the clear browsing data menu
Scroll down the page until you find a section with the heading Clear browsing data. In this area, there is a blue button labeled Choose what to clear. Click this button to open a pop-up window with specific deletion options.
Step 5: Choose the time range and file types
At the top of the pop-up window, change the Time range dropdown menu to All time if you want a complete clean slate. Below that, ensure the box next to Cached images and files has a blue checkmark. You can uncheck other boxes like Browsing history if you want to keep that information saved.
Step 6: Finalize the process by clicking clear now
Once you have selected the specific files you want to remove, look for the blue button at the bottom. Click the Clear now button to command the browser to delete those files immediately. The window will close automatically once the process is totally finished.
After you complete this action, the browser will delete all the temporary images and scripts it saved from websites you visited in the past. You might notice that some websites take a tiny bit longer to load the very first time you visit them again. This happens because the browser has to download fresh copies of the images instead of loading old ones from your hard drive.
Tips for how to clear cache on edge browser
- You can use a keyboard shortcut to jump straight to the menu by pressing Ctrl, Shift, and Delete keys all at the same time.
- If you want to keep you signed in to your favorite websites, make sure you do not check the box for Cookies and other site data.
- You can set Edge to clear the cache automatically every time you close the browser by adjusting the settings in the “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser” section.
- Clearing the cache is a great troubleshooting step if a specific webpage looks broken or is displaying old information.
- Using an InPrivate window prevents the browser from saving cache files in the first place for that specific session.
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing the cache delete my saved passwords
No, clearing the cache will not remove your saved passwords unless you specifically check the box for passwords. The cache only holds temporary files like images and web scripts. Your login information is stored safely in a different category within the browser data.
How often should I perform this task
You generally do not need to do this every day or even every week. It is best to clear it only when you run into problems with websites loading incorrectly. However, doing it once every few months can help keep your disk space free from clutter.
Does this speed up my computer or slow it down
It can actually do a little bit of both depending on the situation. Clearing the cache frees up storage space on your computer which helps it run smoothly. However, websites might load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing because the data must be downloaded again.
What exactly is stored in the cache
The cache is a storage area for parts of websites that do not change very often. This includes things like company logos, background images, and font styles. The browser saves these so it does not have to download them every single time you click a link.
Can I get the files back after I delete them
Once you click the clear button, those temporary files are gone forever. You cannot simply undo the action to bring them back. However, this is not a problem because the browser will just automatically download new copies of those files the next time you visit those websites.
Summary
- Open the main menu.
- Select Settings.
- Go to Privacy, search, and services.
- Click Choose what to clear.
- Check Cached images and files.
- Click Clear now.
Conclusion
Taking care of your browser is a lot like tidying up your room. It is easy to let things pile up over time without really noticing the mess. When you browse the internet, your computer collects thousands of tiny files that sit in the background. Most of the time, these files are helpful and make your life easier by loading pages faster. But sometimes, they get old or corrupted, which causes weird glitches and errors on your favorite sites.
By learning how to manage this data, you are taking control of your digital experience. It is a simple maintenance task that anyone can do in just a few seconds. You do not need to be a computer genius to keep your browser running smoothly. Remember that while clearing these files is helpful, you do not need to obsess over it constantly. Just keep this trick up your sleeve for when things start acting strange.
It is also important to remember that this process protects your privacy to some degree. It removes traces of where you have been and what you have looked at. If you share a computer with others, this is a good habit to form. You now know exactly how to clear cache on edge browser whenever the need arises. Keep your digital workspace clean, and you will enjoy a faster and more reliable internet experience.
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.