how to clear cache in edge

How to Clear Cache in Edge (Easiest steps!)

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In this guide, we will go through how to clear cache in Microsoft Edge.

Why Clear Your Microsoft Edge Cache?

Clearing the cache can:


  • Improve Speed: Removes old, potentially large files that can slow down browser performance.
  • Fix Website Loading Errors: Ensures you see the most up-to-date version of a site, resolving display or functionality issues caused by outdated cached data.  
  • Free Up Disk Space: Deletes temporary files that are no longer needed.  
  • Enhance Privacy (Partially): While primarily for performance, clearing the cache removes stored website components. For comprehensive privacy, consider clearing cookies and history too.  
how to clear cache in edge-edge crashing
Edge crashing also can be fixed by clearing the cache

Step-by-Step: Clearing the Cache in Edge

Follow these simple instructions:

  1. Open Microsoft Edge: Launch the browser on your computer.
  2. Access Settings: Click the three horizontal dots (...) menu in the top-right corner of the browser window.
  3. Select ‘Settings’: Choose Settings from the dropdown menu.
  4. Navigate to Privacy Settings: In the Settings menu, click on Privacy, search, and services in the left-hand sidebar.
  5. Find ‘Clear Browse data’: Scroll down to the Clear Browse data section. Click the button labeled Choose what to clear.
  6. Select Time Range: A pop-up window will appear. Choose the desired time range for which you want to clear data from the Time range dropdown menu. Options typically include ‘Last hour’, ‘Last 24 hours’, ‘Last 7 days’, ‘Last 4 weeks’, and ‘All time’. For troubleshooting, ‘All time’ is often recommended.
  7. Choose ‘Cached images and files’: Ensure the checkbox next to Cached images and files is selected. This is the core option for clearing the cache.
    • Optional: You can also select other items like Browse history, Download history, or Cookies and other site data if you wish to clear those as well. Be aware that clearing cookies will log you out of most websites.
  8. Clear the Data: Click the Clear now button.

Edge will process the request, and the selected data, including the cache, will be removed.

Step-by-Step: Clearing Cache in Microsoft Edge Mobile (Android & iOS)

Need to clear the cache on your phone or tablet? The process is slightly different but just as simple:


  1. Open the Edge App: Launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your Android or iOS device.
  2. Access the Menu: Tap the three horizontal line menu button. On most devices, this is located at the bottom center of the screen.
  3. Open Settings: Tap the ‘Settings’ icon (often looks like a gear).
  4. Navigate to Privacy: In the Settings menu, tap on ‘Privacy and security’ (the exact wording might vary slightly).
  5. Select Delete Browsing Data: Tap on ‘Delete browsing data’.
  6. Choose What to Clear: You will see a list of data types you can clear.
    • Ensure ‘Cached images and files’ is selected (checked).
    • Deselect other items like ‘Browse history’ or ‘Cookies and site data’ if you only want to clear the cache.
    • Note: Mobile Edge might not always offer a ‘Time range’ option like the desktop version, often clearing all selected data type.
  7. Confirm Clearing: Tap the ‘Clear data’ or ‘Clear now’ button (the wording might vary). Confirm the action if prompted.

Your mobile Edge cache is now cleared!

Quick Access: Keyboard Shortcut

For faster access to the ‘Clear Browse data’ menu:

  • Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (on Windows) or Cmd + Shift + Delete (on Mac). This shortcut opens the ‘Clear Browse data‘ pop-up directly.

What’s the Difference? Cache vs. Cookies vs. History

  • Cache (Cached images and files): Stores parts of websites (like images, CSS, JavaScript) locally so pages load faster on subsequent visits. Clearing this fixes display issues and forces loading fresh content.
  • Cookies (Cookies and other site data): Small files websites store on your computer to remember preferences, login status, and track activity. Clearing these logs you out of sites and removes saved preferences.
  • History (Browse history): A list of the websites you have visited. Clearing this removes the record of your visited pages from the browser.

Clearing your Microsoft Edge cache is a straightforward maintenance task. Regularly performing this action, especially when encountering Browse issues, can significantly enhance your web experience by ensuring speed and proper website functionality.

Read also: How to fix Microsoft Edge crashing



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