What cache is and why you should clear it

Cache is temporary data that your computer and web browser store to load things faster next time. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, scripts, and page layouts in a folder on your hard drive. When you open that site again, your browser loads from the cache instead of downloading everything fresh from the internet. The same thing happens with Windows itself — it stores temporary files to speed up programs and system tasks.

Over time, cache builds up and takes up gigabytes of disk space. Clearing it frees that space and can sometimes fix problems like websites loading incorrectly or programs running slowly. Cache doesn't contain anything you need to keep — it's designed to be deleted and rebuilt automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache lives in a folder on your hard drive and can be cleared through your browser's settings menu in under a minute.
  • Windows temporary files accumulate in the Temp folder and can be deleted using the Disk Cleanup tool or by navigating to the folder directly.
  • Clearing cache frees disk space and can fix display problems on websites, but does not delete passwords or saved login information unless you choose that option.
  • You can set your browser to clear cache automatically every time you close it, which prevents buildup without manual work.

Clear cache in Microsoft Edge

Open Microsoft Edge and select the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Click Settings, then Privacy, search, and services in the left sidebar. Under "Clear browsing data," click Choose what to clear.

A window will open showing what can be deleted. Make sure Cached images and files is checked. You can leave other boxes unchecked — browsing history, cookies, and passwords are separate from cache. Set the time range to All time to clear everything, or pick a specific range. Click Clear now.

To make this happen automatically, stay in the same settings page and toggle on Clear browsing data under "Clear browsing data." Then check the box for Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Edge will now delete cache each time you close it.

Clear cache in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu in the top right. Select Settings, then Privacy and security in the left sidebar. Click Clear browsing data.

A window appears with options. Make sure the time range is set to All time at the top. Check Cached images and files and uncheck anything else you want to keep. Click Clear data.

To clear cache automatically, go back to Privacy and security and find the section labeled Clear browsing data. Toggle on Clear cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. Chrome will now delete cache each time you close the browser completely.

Clear cache in Firefox

Open Firefox and click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right. Select Settings, then Privacy & Security in the left sidebar. Scroll down to Cookies and Site Data and click Clear Data.

A dialog box opens. Make sure Cached Web Content is checked. Leave Cookies and Site Data unchecked unless you want to clear those too. Click Clear.

To set Firefox to clear cache on exit, stay in Privacy & Security and scroll to History. In the dropdown next to "Firefox will," select Use custom settings for history. Check the box for Clear history when Firefox closes, then click the Settings button next to it. Make sure Cache is checked and click OK.

Delete Windows temporary files using Disk Cleanup

Windows stores temporary files in a system folder that builds up over time. The easiest way to remove them is through the Disk Cleanup tool. Press the Windows key and type Disk Cleanup, then open the app.

A window will ask which drive to clean. Select your main drive (usually C:) and click OK. Disk Cleanup scans the drive and shows a list of file types it can delete. Look for Temporary files and Temporary Internet Files — both should be checked. You can also check Recycle Bin if you want to empty it. Click Delete Files to remove them.

If you want to delete system cache files as well, click Clean up system files at the bottom of the window. This requires administrator permission. The scan will run again and show additional items like Windows Update Cleanup and Old Windows installation(s). Check these boxes if you want to remove them, then click Delete Files.

Delete Windows temporary files manually

If Disk Cleanup does not work or you want direct control, you can delete temp files yourself. Press the Windows key and type %temp%, then press Enter. This opens the Temp folder directly.

Select all files in this folder by pressing Ctrl + A. Press Delete. Windows may say some files are in use and cannot be deleted — that is normal. It will delete everything else. Click Skip when prompted about files in use.

You can also clear the Windows prefetch folder, which stores data about programs you run. Press the Windows key and type prefetch, then open the Prefetch folder. Select all files and delete them the same way. This folder is safe to clear — Windows will rebuild it automatically.

What cache clearing does and does not do

Clearing cache removes temporary files but does not delete your passwords, saved addresses, or payment information unless you specifically choose to clear those categories. When you clear browser cache, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them because your browser has to read everything fresh. After that, they load normally again as new cache builds up.

Clearing cache can fix problems like a website showing an old version of itself, images not loading correctly, or a page looking broken. If a site is not working right, clearing cache is often the first thing to try. It also frees disk space — browser cache alone can take up several gigabytes on a computer you use every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords?

No. Passwords and saved login information are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, you only delete temporary files like images and scripts. If you want to delete passwords too, you have to check that box separately in your browser settings.

How much space does cache usually take up?

Browser cache can range from a few hundred megabytes to several gigabytes depending on how much you browse and how long it has been since you cleared it. Windows temporary files vary widely. Running Disk Cleanup will show you exactly how much space you can free before you delete anything.

Should I clear cache regularly?

If you set your browser to clear cache automatically when you close it, you do not need to do anything manually. If you do not have that turned on, clearing cache once a month or when you notice slow performance is reasonable. There is no harm in clearing it more often.

Can I clear cache without closing my browser?

Yes. In all major browsers, you can clear cache through the settings menu while the browser is open. The browser will not close or lose your open tabs. Some browsers let you clear cache with a keyboard shortcut — in Chrome and Edge, press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the clear data window directly.

What if I clear cache and a website still does not work?

Try clearing cache again and then restart your browser completely. If the problem continues, try opening the website in a different browser to see if it is a browser-specific issue. If the site works in another browser, the problem is with your first browser, not the website.