To get this done quickly, open your Microsoft Edge browser and look for the three dots in the top right corner. Click those dots to open the menu and select Settings near the bottom of the list. On the left side of the new screen, click on Privacy, search, and services. You need to scroll down a little bit until you see a section labeled Clear browsing data. Click the blue button that says Choose what to clear. A window will pop up where you can pick a Time range like All time. Make sure the boxes for cookies and cached images are checked. Finally, click Clear now.
Tutorial – How to clear cookies and cache on Edge
We are going to walk through the exact process to refresh your browser. Following these instructions will remove old temporary files and tracking data that might be clogging up your experience. It is a simple cleanup routine that fixes many common loading errors.
Step 1: Open the main menu by clicking the three dots in the top right corner.
You will find this icon in the upper right section of the browser window. It looks like three horizontal dots arranged in a line. Clicking this opens a dropdown list with many different options for controlling the browser.
Step 2: Select Settings from the dropdown list that appears.
Look toward the bottom of the menu you just opened to find this option. It usually has a gear icon next to it. Clicking this will open a completely new tab dedicated to your browser configurations.
Step 3: Click on the Privacy, search, and services tab on the left sidebar.
On the left side of the Settings screen, there is a navigation menu. Locate the option that mentions privacy and click it. This section holds all the controls for your data and security.
Step 4: Scroll down to find the Clear browsing data section.
You will need to move down the page past the tracking prevention options. Look for the heading that specifically mentions clearing browsing data. It is usually located right in the middle of the page.
Step 5: Click on the blue button labeled Choose what to clear.
This button is located directly to the right of the section title. Clicking it triggers a popup window to appear in the middle of your screen. This window is where you make your final decisions on what gets deleted.
Step 6: Select your Time range and check the boxes for cookies and cache.
At the top of the popup, change the time range to All time if you want a complete clean slate. Below that, ensure there are checkmarks next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.” You can leave other boxes unchecked if you want to keep things like your history.
Step 7: Click the blue Clear now button to finish the process.
This button is at the bottom of the popup window. Once you click it, the window will close. The browser will immediately delete the selected files.
When you click that final button, the browser works its magic immediately. You might not see a flash or a notification, but the files are gone. Your browser is now fresh and ready to load the latest versions of your favorite sites.
Tips for how to clear cookies and cache on edge
- You can use a keyboard shortcut to save time. Pressing Control, Shift, and Delete keys all at the same time on your keyboard will open the clearing menu instantly.
- If you do not want to sign in to websites again, be careful. Make sure you do not select “Passwords” when you are choosing what data to clear.
- You can set Edge to clean itself up automatically. There is a setting right below the clearing button that allows you to choose what gets deleted every time you close the browser.
- Using an InPrivate window prevents cookies from being saved in the first place. When you close an InPrivate window, the browser automatically dumps the temporary data from that session.
- Sometimes you only need to clear the cache to fix a display error. You can uncheck the “Cookies” box if you want to keep your login sessions active but still refresh the page images.
Will clearing my cookies delete my saved passwords?
No, clearing cookies will not delete your saved passwords unless you specifically check the box for passwords. However, it will sign you out of most websites. You will need to click login and have your browser autofill the password again.
Does clearing cache speed up my computer?
It can help the browser run smoother, but it might not speed up the whole computer. If you have a lot of junk files, the browser can become sluggish. Clearing them gives the browser a fresh start.
How often should I perform this cleanup?
There is no perfect rule for how often to do this. Doing it once a month is a good habit for most people. You should definitely do it if websites start acting weird or failing to load properly.
What is the difference between cache and cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites save to remember who you are and what you like. Cache consists of images and parts of pages that are saved so they load faster next time. Cookies are about identity, while cache is about speed.
Can I clear data for just one specific website?
Yes, you can do this in the settings menu. Instead of clearing everything, you go to “Cookies and site data” and select “See all site data and permissions.” From there, you can search for a specific site and delete only its data.
Summary
- Open the browser menu.
- Go to Settings.
- Select Privacy, search, and services.
- Find the Clear browsing data section.
- Click Choose what to clear.
- Select the time range and data types.
- Click Clear now.
Conclusion
Taking care of your browser is a lot like tidying up your room. If you never throw away the trash, things start to get cluttered and hard to find. The same thing happens with Microsoft Edge. Over time, it collects thousands of tiny files and data points from every corner of the internet you visit. Most of this is harmless, but eventually, it builds up. This buildup can cause conflicts. Old versions of a webpage might clash with new updates, leading to broken links or strange formatting.
By learning how to clear cookies and cache on edge, you are taking control of your digital environment. You are ensuring that your browser is secure and efficient. It is a simple troubleshooting step that solves a surprisingly large number of technical headaches. You do not need to be a computer expert to maintain a healthy browser. Just a few clicks every now and then can keep your surfing experience smooth.
Remember that this process logs you out of websites. That is a small price to pay for better performance and privacy. It is good practice to clear this data before you do sensitive things like online banking, especially on a shared computer. Make this a regular part of your digital routine. Your computer will thank you for it, and you will enjoy a faster and cleaner 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.
Read his full bio here.
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