What cache is and why you should clear it

Cache is temporary data your computer and web browser store to load websites and programs faster. When you visit a website, your browser saves images, scripts, and other files so it doesn't have to read them again. Windows does the same thing with temporary system files. Over time, this cache builds up and can slow your PC, use disk space, or cause websites to load outdated versions of pages.

Clearing cache won't harm your computer. You'll straightforward notice websites take a moment longer to load the first time you visit them after clearing, because your browser has to read fresh files. Your login information and saved passwords stay intact unless you specifically choose to delete them.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows stores temporary files in a folder you can access through Settings, and clearing them frees up disk space without affecting your system.
  • Chrome, Edge, and Firefox all have cache-clearing options in their settings menus, and you can choose to clear only recent cache or all of it.
  • You can set your browser to clear cache automatically every time you close it, which prevents buildup without manual work.
  • Clearing cache is safe and won't delete your passwords, bookmarks, or browsing history unless you specifically select those options.

Clear temporary files in Windows 10 and 11

Windows stores temporary files in a dedicated folder. To clear them, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then navigate to System in the left menu. Click Storage, then scroll down and click Temporary files. Windows will show you how much space temporary files are using.

A window will open showing checkboxes for different types of temporary data. The boxes for Temporary files and Recycle Bin are checked by default. Leave them checked and click Remove files at the bottom. Windows will delete the selected items. This usually takes less than a minute.

If you want to clear cache more often, you can set Windows to do it automatically. In the same Storage menu, toggle on Storage Sense. Then click Configure Storage Sense or run it now and set how often you want Windows to delete temporary files — options range from every day to every 30 days.

Clear cache in Google Chrome

Open Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete on your keyboard. This opens the Clear Browsing Data window directly. At the top, you'll see a dropdown menu that says Time range. Click it and choose how far back you want to clear — options include Last hour, Last 24 hours, Last 7 days, Last 4 weeks, or All time.

Below that, checkboxes let you choose what to delete. Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files are checked by default. Leave both checked unless you have a reason not to. Unchecking Cookies and other site data will keep you logged into websites; unchecking Cached images and files will keep the cache but delete nothing. Click Clear data when you're ready.

To make Chrome clear cache automatically, click the menu button (three vertical dots) in the top right, go to Settings, then click Privacy and security in the left menu. Under Clear browsing data, toggle on Delete cookies and site data when you quit Chrome. Chrome will now clear cache every time you close the browser completely.

Clear cache in Microsoft Edge

Open Edge and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. This opens the Clear browsing data window. At the top, click the Time range dropdown and choose your preferred timeframe — the options are the same as Chrome.

Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. Both are checked by default. Click Clear now at the bottom. Edge will delete the selected data within seconds.

To set Edge to clear cache automatically, click the menu button (three horizontal dots) in the top right, go to Settings, then click Privacy, search, and services. Scroll down to Clear browsing data and toggle on Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. You can also toggle on Clear browsing data under Clear browsing data to have Edge delete cache automatically without asking.

Clear cache in Firefox

Open Firefox and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete. The Clear Recent History window will open. At the top, click the Time range to clear dropdown and select your preferred timeframe.

Below that, click the dropdown that says Details to expand the list of items you can delete. Check Cache and Cookies. Uncheck anything else you want to keep, like browsing history or saved passwords. Click Clear Now when you're ready.

To set Firefox to clear cache automatically, click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top right, go to Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the left menu. Under Cookies and Site Data, check the box for Delete cookies and site data when Firefox is closed. Firefox will now clear cache every time you close the browser.

What to do if clearing cache doesn't fix your problem

If your PC is still slow after clearing cache, the issue may be elsewhere. Check your disk space by opening File Explorer, right-clicking This PC, and clicking Properties. If your C: drive is more than 90 percent full, you may need to delete large files or programs you no longer use.

You can also check what programs are running at startup. Press Windows key + I, go to Apps, then click Startup. Disable any programs you don't need to start with Windows. If slowness happens only in your browser, try disabling browser extensions — click the menu button, go to Extensions, and toggle off extensions one at a time to see if one is causing the problem.

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're only deleting temporary files and images. If you want to delete passwords too, you have to check that box separately in the Clear Browsing Data window. Bookmarks are never deleted by cache clearing.

How often should I clear my cache?

If you notice your PC slowing down or websites loading outdated content, clear cache. Many people clear it monthly or when they notice a problem. If you want it cleared automatically, set your browser to delete cache when you close it — this prevents buildup without requiring you to remember.

Can I clear cache for just one website?

Most browsers don't have a built-in option to clear cache for a single website. Your best option is to open that website, press F12 to open Developer Tools, right-click the refresh button, and select Empty cache and hard refresh. This forces the browser to read fresh files from that site only.

What's the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, scripts, and other files to make websites load faster. Cookies store information about you — like login details and preferences — so websites remember you. Both are temporary data, but cookies are smaller and more personal. You can delete them separately if you want to clear one but keep the other.

Is it safe to clear cache?

Yes. Clearing cache is completely safe and won't damage your PC or browser. The only effect you'll notice is that websites may load slightly slower the first time you visit them after clearing, because your browser has to read fresh files instead of using stored ones.