What cache is and why you should clear it

Cache is temporary data your computer stores to load websites, programs, and files faster the next time you use them. Your browser saves images and code from websites you visit. Your operating system caches recently used files. Applications store temporary data from their last session. Over time, this cache can take up gigabytes of storage space, slow down your computer, or cause programs to behave oddly if the cached data becomes corrupted.

Clearing cache is one of the fastest ways to free up disk space and fix problems like websites loading incorrectly, programs crashing, or your computer running slowly. The process differs depending on what you want to clear — browser cache, system cache, or process cache — and which operating system you use.

Key Takeaways

  • Browser cache lives in your web browser's settings and can be cleared in under a minute from the History or Settings menu.
  • Windows and Mac both have system cache folders that can be emptied, though the location and method differ between the two.
  • Clearing cache is safe and will not delete your passwords, bookmarks, or saved login information unless you specifically choose those options.
  • After clearing cache, websites and programs may load slightly slower the first time you use them while new cache builds up.

Clear cache in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari

Most people need to clear their web browser cache. Open your browser and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac) to jump straight to the cache-clearing screen. If that does not work, go to Settings or Preferences, find the Privacy or History section, and look for "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache".

A window will appear asking what time period you want to clear. Select "All time" to remove all cached data, or pick a specific range like "Last 7 days" if you only want to clear recent cache. You will see checkboxes for what to delete — cache is usually checked by default. Leave passwords, bookmarks, and autofill unchecked unless you specifically want to remove those too. Click the button to clear (usually labeled "Clear data" or "Clear browsing data"), and wait a few seconds for the process to finish.

In Safari on Mac, go to History in the menu bar, then click "Clear History". Choose how far back you want to clear from the dropdown menu, and click "Clear History" again. Safari does not give you granular options like other browsers — it clears history and cache together.

Delete temporary files and cache on Windows

Windows stores temporary files and cache in several locations. The easiest method is to use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool. Press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup", and open the app. Select your main drive (usually C:), and the tool will scan for temporary files. Check the boxes next to "Temporary files", "Recycle Bin", and "Temporary Internet Files", then click "Delete Files". Windows will ask for confirmation — click yes and wait for the deletion to finish.

If you want to manually clear the cache folder, open File Explorer and paste this path into the address bar: %LocalAppData%\Temp. This folder contains temporary files from programs and Windows itself. Select all files (Ctrl+A), then delete them. Windows may say some files are in use — that is normal. Click "Skip" for those files and delete the rest. You can also clear the DNS cache, which stores website addresses your computer has visited. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator"), then type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.

Delete cache on Mac

Mac stores cache in a hidden Library folder. Open Finder, click the Go menu at the top, hold down the Option key, and click "Library". Navigate to Caches and you will see folders for each process and system process. You can delete the entire Caches folder, or open it and delete specific process folders if you only want to clear certain programs' cache.

To clear DNS cache on Mac, open Terminal (search for it in Spotlight), then type sudo dscacheutil -flushcache and press Enter. You will be asked for your password — type it (you will not see the characters appear) and press Enter again. The DNS cache clears when ready. You can also clear Safari's cache separately by opening Safari, clicking Safari in the menu bar, selecting "Clear History", and choosing how far back to clear.

Clear cache for specific applications

Many programs store their own cache separately from your browser and system cache. Spotify, Discord, Slack, and other applications keep cached data in their settings. Open the program, go to Settings or Preferences, look for a "Storage", "Cache", or "Data" section, and find the option to clear cache or temporary files. The exact location varies by program — if you cannot find it, search the program's name plus "clear cache" to find the specific steps.

Some programs let you clear cache from within the app, while others require you to manually delete the cache folder. For example, Discord stores cache in %AppData%\Discord\Cache on Windows or ~/Library/process Support/Discord/Cache on Mac. Close the program first, delete the Cache folder, and reopen the program — it will rebuild the cache automatically.

What to expect after clearing cache

After you clear cache, websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them because your browser has to read all the images and code again instead of loading them from storage. This slowdown is temporary — once the new cache builds up over a few days, loading speed returns to normal. Programs may also take a few extra seconds to open the first time after clearing their cache.

Clearing cache does not delete your passwords, bookmarks, browsing history (unless you checked that box), or any files you saved intentionally. It only removes temporary data that your computer created automatically. If a website or program was behaving strangely, clearing cache often fixes the problem because it forces the program to read fresh data instead of using corrupted cached files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my passwords and saved logins?

No, unless you specifically check the box for "Passwords" or "Autofill data" when clearing cache. By default, cache-clearing tools only remove temporary files and website data, not your saved login information. If you want to keep passwords but clear everything else, leave that checkbox unchecked.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no set schedule. Clear cache when your computer is running slowly, a website is not loading correctly, or you are running low on disk space. Many people clear cache once a month or every few months. If you notice problems frequently, clearing cache weekly may help.

Can I clear cache automatically on a schedule?

Most browsers have an option to clear cache automatically when you close the browser. In Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, go to Settings, find Privacy or History, and look for "Clear cookies and cache on exit" or similar. Check that box and the browser will clear cache every time you close it.

What is the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, code, and files to make websites load faster. Cookies store small pieces of information like your login status and preferences. They serve different purposes, but both can be cleared together. If you clear cache but not cookies, you will stay logged into websites.

Is it safe to delete everything in the Temp folder?

Yes, it is safe to delete files in the Temp folder. Windows and programs create new temporary files as needed. However, close all open programs first — if a program is actively using a temporary file, Windows will not let you delete it and will skip that file.