To get this done quickly, you just need to open your browser and head to the settings menu. Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the window. Select Settings from the drop-down list. Navigate to the tab labeled Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down until you see the section for Clear browsing data. Click the button that says Choose what to clear. Make sure the box for Cached images and files is checked. Pick your time range and hit the Clear now button.
How to clear Microsoft Edge cache – step by step
You are about to remove old data that might be clogging up your browser. This process is very similar to cleaning out a messy drawer in your kitchen. We will walk through the exact buttons you need to press to get a fresh start.
Step 1: Open the main menu by clicking the three dots in the top right corner.
You will see an icon that looks like three horizontal dots next to your profile picture. This is often called the meatballs menu because of how it looks. Clicking this opens up all the main options for the browser.
Step 2: Select Settings from the list of options that appears.
Look near the bottom of the long menu that dropped down. A new tab will open up that is dedicated entirely to your browser configurations. This is the command center for how Edge behaves.
Step 3: Click on Privacy, search, and services on the left side of the screen.
You should look for a sidebar on the left with a list of different categories. The option you want usually has a lock icon next to it. This section controls how your data is handled and kept safe.
Step 4: Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section and click Choose what to clear.
You will need to scroll down the page a little bit to find this area. It is usually located right under the tracking prevention options. The blue button is your gateway to deleting temporary files.
Step 5: Check the box next to Cached images and files.
A small window will pop up in the middle of your screen with several checkboxes. You can uncheck things like browsing history or passwords if you want to keep those. Focus specifically on the option regarding the cache to solve loading issues.
Step 6: Select All time from the Time range drop-down menu.
There is a box at the top of the pop-up window that lets you decide how far back to go. If you only select the last hour, you might not fix the problem. Choosing “All time” ensures you get rid of every single old file.
Step 7: Click the blue Clear now button to finish the process.
This is the final action that wipes the data from your computer. The window will close automatically once the job is done. Your browser is now clean and ready to go.
After you finish these steps, the browser might feel slightly different for a moment. Websites you visit often might take an extra second to load the very first time you go back to them. This happens because Edge has to download fresh images and code instead of using the old ones. However, you will likely notice that errors are gone and things run smoother overall.
Tips for when you clear Microsoft Edge cache
- You can use a keyboard shortcut to save time. Pressing Ctrl, Shift, and Delete at the same time on your keyboard opens the clearing menu instantly. This works on almost every browser.
- Check the box for “Cookies and other site data” if you are having trouble logging into a website. Just remember that this will sign you out of most websites. You will have to type your username and password again.
- You can set Edge to clear the cache every time you close the browser. Go to settings and look for “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser.” This is great for keeping things tidy automatically.
- Try using an InPrivate window to test a website before clearing your cache. If the site works in InPrivate mode, then you know a bad cache is the problem. This saves you from clearing data if you do not have to.
- Do not worry about losing your bookmarks. Clearing the cache does not touch your saved favorites or your reading lists. It only removes temporary files that the computer downloaded to help pages load faster.
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing the cache delete my saved passwords?
No, clearing the cache will not delete your passwords unless you check that specific box. When the menu pops up, you will see a separate option for passwords. Just ensure that the password box is empty before you click the blue button.
How often should I clear my cache?
You usually do not need to do this on a schedule. It is best to do it only when you run into problems. If a website looks broken or will not load, that is the right time to clean it out.
Does this work the same way on a Mac?
Yes, the steps are almost exactly the same for Mac users. The only difference is the keyboard shortcut. On a Mac, you would use Command, Shift, and Delete to open the menu quickly.
Why does the browser save these files in the first place?
Your browser saves these files to make your experience faster. It keeps images and logos on your hard drive so it does not have to download them every time. It is like keeping your favorite tools on your desk instead of in the shed.
Will this speed up my computer?
It might help your browser run a little better, but it will not speed up your whole computer. The cache takes up storage space on your hard drive. If your drive is totally full, clearing this space might help the system breathe a little easier.
Summary
- Open the menu.
- Select Settings.
- Click Privacy, search, and services.
- Find Clear browsing data.
- Check Cached images and files.
- Select All time.
- Click Clear now.
Conclusion
Taking care of your digital tools is just as important as maintaining physical ones. When you let too much temporary data build up, it acts like sand in the gears of a machine. The browser tries to work efficiently. However, it can get confused by old files that no longer match the website you are trying to visit. By performing this simple maintenance, you ensure that you are seeing the most current version of the web. It is a simple trick that solves a huge number of technical glitches.
You do not need to be a computer genius to keep your browser healthy. The steps are straightforward and safe to perform. You are not deleting anything permanent like your photos or your documents. You are simply sweeping away the digital dust bunnies that accumulate over months of surfing the internet. It gives your browser a fresh start.
Remember that technology works best when it is not bogged down by the past. If you ever find your internet experience dragging or acting strange, try this solution first. It is the most common fix for a reason. Now that you know how to clear Microsoft Edge cache, you can browse with confidence. You have the power to fix your own connection issues in just a few clicks.
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.