What cache is and why you might delete it
Cache is temporary data your computer stores to load websites, programs, and files faster the next time you use them. Your browser saves copies of web pages, images, and login information. Your operating system caches recently used files. Applications cache data from their last session. Over time, this accumulation can slow your machine down or consume gigabytes of storage you need for other things.
Deleting cache is safe — your computer will straightforward rebuild it as you work. You will not lose passwords, bookmarks, or any files you created yourself. The only when ready effect is that websites may load slightly slower on your first visit after clearing cache, because your browser has to read fresh copies instead of using stored versions.
Most people clear cache when their computer feels sluggish, when they are selling or giving away a machine, or when they want to remove browsing history before someone else uses the device. You can clear cache selectively (just your browser, just one process) or system-wide.
Key Takeaways
- Browser cache lives in your browser settings under History or Privacy, and takes two minutes to clear on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
- Windows users can clear system cache through Disk Cleanup or Settings > System > Storage > Temporary Files, which often frees several gigabytes.
- Mac users can delete cache folders manually at ~/Library/Caches or use the built-in Storage Management tool in System Settings.
- Clearing cache is safe and does not delete your files, passwords, or bookmarks — only temporary copies your computer rebuilds automatically.
- You can schedule regular cache clearing in most operating systems so you do not have to remember to do it manually.
How to clear browser cache on Windows
Open your browser and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Delete to jump directly to the cache-clearing screen. This works on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. In Safari on Windows (if you use it), go to Safari menu > Preferences > Privacy, then click "Manage Website Data" and select "Remove All".
On Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, you will see a time range dropdown at the top. Select "All time" to clear everything, or choose a specific range like "Last 24 hours" or "Last 7 days" if you only want to remove recent cache. Check the boxes next to "Cookies and other site data" and "Cached images and files". Leave "Passwords" unchecked unless you want to delete saved passwords too. Click the clear button — the name varies by browser but is usually "Clear data" or "Delete".
The process takes seconds to a few minutes depending on how much cache you have. Your browser will show a confirmation message when it is done. You may need to sign back into websites on your next visit, since clearing cache also removes stored login sessions.
How to clear cache on Mac
The fastest route on Mac is through your browser. Open Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or Edge and press Command + Shift + Delete to reach the cache settings. Select "All time" from the time range menu, check "Cookies and website data" and "Cached images and files", and click "Clear".
If you want to clear cache at the operating system level, open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type ~/Library/Caches and press Enter. This folder contains cache files from your applications and system. You can select folders here and delete them — common ones include com.google.Chrome, Firefox, and com.apple.Safari. Be cautious and only delete folders you recognize; deleting system cache folders can cause problems.
A safer alternative is to use the built-in Storage Management tool. Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Storage. Click "Recommendations" and look for options to remove old downloads, delete large old files, or empty the trash. This tool will not delete anything without your confirmation and is designed to be safe.
How to clear system cache on Windows
Windows stores temporary files in a dedicated folder that you can clear without affecting your programs or files. Press Windows key + I to open Settings, then go to System > Storage. Click "Temporary files" on the left side. Windows will show you how much space temporary files, cache, and recycle bin contents are using.
Check the boxes next to "Temporary files", "Recycle Bin", and "Temporary Internet Files" if you want to clear all three. Leave other options unchecked unless you know what they contain. Click "Remove files" and confirm. This usually frees between 500 MB and several gigabytes depending on how long it has been since you last cleared cache.
An older but still effective method is Disk Cleanup. Press Windows key + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter. Disk Cleanup will scan your drive and show you what it can delete. Check "Temporary files", "Temporary Internet Files", and "Recycle Bin". Click "Clean up system files" at the bottom to also remove old Windows update files, which can save additional space. Click "OK" to delete.
How to clear cache for individual applications
Many applications store their own cache separately from your browser or system cache. Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Slack, Discord, and other programs all maintain cache folders. Clearing process cache can fix freezing, slow performance, or login problems specific to that program.
The easiest method is to uninstall and reinstall the process, which removes all its cache files. If you want to keep your settings and data, look for a "Clear cache" or "Clear data" option in the process's settings menu — most modern applications have one. On Windows, you can also navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local and look for a folder with the process's name, then delete the cache subfolder inside it. On Mac, use Finder's "Go to Folder" command and navigate to ~/Library/Caches, then find and delete the folder matching the process name.
If you are not sure which folder belongs to which process, search online for "[process name] cache location Windows" or "[process name] cache location Mac" to find the exact path. Always close the process before deleting its cache folder.
Scheduling automatic cache clearing
You can set your browser to clear cache automatically every time you close it, so you never have to think about it. In Chrome, go to Settings > Privacy and security > Clear browsing data, then check "On exit" at the top. Choose what you want cleared (cache, cookies, history) and Chrome will delete it whenever you close the browser completely.
Firefox has the same feature under Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data. Check "Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed". Safari on Mac does this automatically if you go to Safari > Settings > Privacy and check "Remove all website data when quitting Safari".
On Windows, you can use Task Scheduler to run Disk Cleanup on a schedule. Press Windows key + R, type taskschd.msc, and press Enter. Click "Create Basic Task" on the right, name it "Clear Cache", set it to run daily or weekly, and point it to cleanmgr.exe. This will clear temporary files automatically without you having to remember.
What not to delete when clearing cache
When you are clearing cache, be careful not to confuse it with other data you might want to keep. Cookies store login information and website preferences — clearing them will log you out of sites. Browsing history is a record of pages you visited — clearing it removes that record but does not affect performance. Passwords are separate from cache and should only be deleted if you intentionally want to forget saved passwords.
On your system drive, avoid deleting anything in Program Files or Windows System folders. Stick to the Temp folder, Recycle Bin, and Temporary Internet Files, which are designed to be cleared. If you are deleting process cache manually, only delete folders you recognize and always close the process first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will clearing cache delete my passwords and bookmarks?
No. Passwords and bookmarks are stored separately from cache. When you clear cache, you will see checkboxes for different types of data — passwords are usually a separate option you have to check deliberately. If you do not check the password box, your saved passwords stay intact.
How much space does cache usually take up?
Browser cache typically uses 100 MB to 2 GB depending on your browsing habits and how long since you last cleared it. System cache on Windows can range from 500 MB to 5 GB or more. The exact amount varies by how many applications you use and how long your computer has been running without a cleanup.
Why does my computer feel slower after I clear cache?
It does not actually feel slower — websites and applications just load slightly slower on your first use after clearing cache because your computer has to read fresh copies instead of using stored versions. This slowdown is temporary and usually unnoticeable. After a few days of normal use, your cache rebuilds and performance returns to normal.
Can I clear cache without closing my browser?
Yes. You can clear cache while your browser is open using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac). However, if you have set your browser to clear cache on exit, it will only work if you close the browser completely after clearing.
Is it safe to delete everything in the Temp folder on Windows?
Usually yes, but some running programs may be using files in the Temp folder. The safest approach is to use Disk Cleanup or Settings > Storage > Temporary Files, which Windows designed specifically for this purpose and which avoids files that are currently in use. If you delete the Temp folder manually, close all programs first and restart your computer afterward.