To clear the cache in Microsoft Edge, you need to open the browser and click the three horizontal dots located in the top right corner of the window. From the menu that appears, select Settings and then click on Privacy, search, and services on the left side of the screen. Scroll down the page until you find the section labeled Clear browsing data and click the blue button that says Choose what to clear. A pop-up window will appear where you should check the box for Cached images and files. Once that is selected, simply click the Clear now button to finish the process and free up space.
Microsoft Edge how to clear cache Tutorial
We are going to walk through the exact steps to clean up your browser. Think of this as taking out the digital trash so your browser can run fresh and fast. Following these instructions will remove temporary files that might be causing loading errors or displaying old versions of websites.
Step 1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
You will find this menu icon near the close button at the very top of your screen. It is often called the meatball menu because it looks like three little dots stacked on top of each other. Clicking this opens up the main control panel for your web browser.
Step 2. Go down the list and click on the option labeled Settings.
This option is usually located near the bottom of the drop-down menu. It has a gear icon next to it. Clicking this will open a new tab that contains all the configurations for the browser.
Step 3. Select Privacy, search, and services from the menu on the left side.
You will see a sidebar on the left with many different categories. Look for the one with a lock icon. This section controls how Edge handles your data and keeps your browsing secure.
Step 4. Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section and click Choose what to clear.
You might have to scroll down the page a little bit to find this specific area. It is a very important section for maintaining browser health. The button is blue and easy to spot against the background.
Step 5. Check the box for Cached images and files and select your time range.
A small window will pop up in the middle of your screen. You should change the Time range dropdown to All time if you want a complete clean. Make sure the box next to Cached images and files has a blue checkmark.
Step 6. Click the blue Clear now button to finish the task.
This is the final action that deletes the selected files from your computer. The window will close automatically once the process is done. It usually only takes a few seconds to complete.
After you finish these steps, your browser will be fresh and empty of temporary files. The next time you visit a website, it might load slightly slower than usual. This happens because Edge has to download all the images and scripts again instead of pulling them from its memory.
Tips for Microsoft Edge how to clear cache
- You can use a keyboard shortcut to save time. Pressing Control, Shift, and Delete keys all at once on your keyboard will open the clearing menu instantly. This works on almost every browser and not just Edge.
- You do not have to delete your cookies when you clear the cache. If you uncheck the box for Cookies and other site data, you will stay signed in to your email and social media accounts. This is great for fixing glitches without logging yourself out.
- Set up Edge to clear the cache automatically every time you close the browser. You can find this option right below the clear button in the settings menu. This ensures you start with a clean slate every single session.
- If a specific webpage is acting up, try a hard refresh before clearing the entire cache. You can do this by pressing Control and F5 on your keyboard. This forces the browser to download that specific page again.
- Check your extensions if clearing the cache does not fix your problem. Sometimes a browser add-on causes issues that look like cache problems. You can turn them off one by one to see if that helps.
Will clearing my cache delete my saved passwords?
No, clearing the cache will not remove your saved passwords. Passwords are stored in a different part of the browser data. You would have to specifically check the box for Passwords to delete them.
How often should I clear my browser cache?
You do not need to do this every day. It is best to do it once a month or whenever you notice browser issues. If websites are formatting strangely or not loading, that is the right time to do it.
Why does the cache cause problems?
The cache stores old versions of website files to help them load faster. Sometimes a website updates its design, but your browser tries to use the old files it saved. This conflict causes errors or makes the page look broken.
Will this speed up my computer?
It might help your browser run smoother, but it won’t make your whole computer faster. However, if your hard drive is very full, clearing cache can free up some space. This space recovery can help overall performance in small ways.
Can I undo this action after I click Clear now?
No, you cannot undo this action once it is done. Once those temporary files are deleted, they are gone forever. The browser will simply create new cache files as you browse the web again.
Summary
- Open the Edge menu.
- Click Settings.
- Choose Privacy, search, and services.
- Click Choose what to clear.
- Select Cached images and files.
- Click Clear now.
Conclusion
Taking care of your digital tools is just as important as maintaining your physical ones. When you let your browser cache build up for too long, it is like letting junk mail pile up on your kitchen table. Eventually, it becomes hard to find what you need, and things start to get messy. By performing this simple maintenance task, you ensure that your internet experience remains smooth and error-free. It allows you to see the most current version of websites rather than old snapshots that your computer stored weeks or months ago.
You do not need to be a computer expert to keep your browser healthy. The steps are straightforward and safe for anyone to perform. Remember that while the cache is there to help you load pages faster, it can sometimes get in the way. It is a good habit to clear it out whenever you encounter weird glitches or loading circles that never stop spinning. This simple trick fixes a surprising number of internet problems.
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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