What clearing cache does and why you might do it

Cache is temporary data your browser and Windows store to load websites and programs faster the next time you use them. Over time, cache files pile up and can slow your computer down, use disk space, or cause a website to load an outdated version of a page. Clearing cache is safe — it does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or files you saved on purpose.

You have three main places to clear: your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), Windows temporary files, and the DNS cache that helps your computer find websites. Most people only need to clear browser cache, but if your computer feels sluggish or a website looks wrong, clearing all three can help.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache clears from your web browser settings and takes two to three minutes; the steps differ slightly between Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
  • Windows temporary files live in the Temp folder and can be deleted through Settings or by opening the folder directly and removing them by hand.
  • DNS cache stores website addresses your computer has looked up; flushing it requires opening Command Prompt and typing a single command.
  • Clearing cache does not remove your passwords, bookmarks, saved files, or anything you created yourself — only temporary data.
  • After clearing cache, your first visit to a website will load slightly slower because the browser has to read fresh data.

Clear cache in Microsoft Edge

Edge is the default browser in Windows 10. Open Edge, then press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard. A window titled "Clear browsing data" will open.

At the top, you will see a dropdown that says "Time range." Click it and choose how far back to clear: "Last hour," "Last 24 hours," "Last 7 days," "Last 4 weeks," or "All time." Most people choose "All time" to clear everything. Below that, check the boxes next to "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files." Leave the other boxes unchecked unless you want to clear your browsing history or read history too. Click the blue "Clear now" button at the bottom right.

Clear cache in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. The "Clear browsing data" window opens. At the top, click the "Time range" dropdown and select "All time." Check the boxes for "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files." Click "Clear data."

If you use Chrome on multiple devices, you can also clear cache from your Google Account settings. Go to myaccount.google.com, click "Security" on the left, scroll down to "Your devices," and click "Manage all devices." Select the device you want, then click "Security event" and choose to sign out of that device. This clears cache across all Google services on that device.

Clear cache in Firefox

Open Firefox and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. The "Clear Recent History" window opens. Click the "Time range for clearing" dropdown and select "Everything." Check the boxes for "Cookies" and "Cache." Click "Clear Now."

Firefox also lets you clear cache automatically every time you close the browser. Go to the menu (three horizontal lines in the top right), click "Settings," then "Privacy & Security." Under "Cookies and Site Data," check the box that says "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed."

Clear Windows temporary files through Settings

Windows stores temporary files in a folder that takes up disk space over time. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Click "System" on the left, then "Storage." Under "Storage," click "Temporary files."

A window will show you what temporary files Windows found: "Temporary files," "Recycle Bin," "Windows Update Cleanup," and others. Check the boxes next to the items you want to delete. Most people check all of them. Click "Remove files" at the bottom. Windows will delete them, which may take a few minutes if you have a lot of temporary files.

Clear Windows temporary files by opening the Temp folder

If Settings does not work or you want to delete files manually, you can open the Temp folder directly. Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Type %temp% and press Enter. A folder window opens showing your temporary files.

Select all files in this folder by pressing Ctrl + A. Press Delete. Windows may tell you that some files are in use and cannot be deleted — that is normal. Click "Skip" for those files and delete the rest. Close the folder when you are done.

Flush DNS cache from Command Prompt

DNS cache stores the addresses of websites you have visited so your computer does not have to look them up every time. If a website has moved to a new address and your computer still shows the old one, flushing DNS cache can fix it. Press Windows key + R, type cmd, and press Enter. Command Prompt opens.

Type this command exactly as shown: ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. You will see a message that says "Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache." Close Command Prompt. Your DNS cache is now cleared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords or bookmarks?

No. Cache is only temporary data. Your passwords, bookmarks, and saved files stay on your computer. When you clear cache, you are only removing data that your browser and Windows can rebuild on their own.

How often should I clear cache?

Most people do not need to clear cache regularly. Clear it if your computer feels slow, a website looks wrong, or you want to free up disk space. If you clear cache every week or month, you are probably doing it more often than necessary.

Why does a website load slower after I clear cache?

Your browser has to read all the images, code, and other files from the website again instead of loading them from your computer. The second time you visit, it will be fast again because the cache rebuilds.

Can I clear cache without restarting my computer?

Yes. Clearing browser cache, temporary files, and DNS cache all work without restarting. Your computer and browser will work normally right away.

What is the difference between clearing cache and clearing cookies?

Cache stores images and code to make websites load faster. Cookies store information like your login status and preferences. Clearing cookies will sign you out of websites, but clearing cache alone will not.