How to Clear Cache on Microsoft Edge

Q: Does clearing Edge’s cache delete my passwords?

Not when you select only Cached images and files. Saved passwords are a separate data type, so check the dialog and leave that option unchecked if you want to keep them.

Clearing the cache removes temporary website files Edge has saved, such as images and other page resources. This can help when a page looks outdated, displays incorrectly, or will not load properly. Edge can download those files again as you revisit websites, so pages may load more slowly the first time afterward.

Before you start, decide how much browsing history to clear and check the boxes carefully. Clearing cached files is different from deleting cookies, passwords, or browsing history; those options can have separate effects. The names and locations of menus can differ slightly between Edge versions and devices.

What You’ll Need

Microsoft Edge open on the device where you want to clear the cache.
A moment to review the selected time range and data types before confirming.

Step-by-Step

Open Edge settings. In Edge, select the three-dot menu near the upper-right corner, then choose Settings. If the window is narrow or the layout differs, look for the menu button and the same settings option.
Find privacy controls. In Settings, select Privacy, search, and services. This section contains the controls for deleting browsing data. Menu wording or placement may differ slightly by version.
Open the clear-data tool. Find the Clear browsing data area and select Choose what to clear or the equivalent button. Edge may show a pop-up or a panel with a time-range menu and a list of data types.
Choose a time range. Use the time-range menu to decide which period to clear. Available choices can include recent browsing periods and all time. Select the period that fits your issue; choosing all time removes cached files from the entire period Edge offers.
Select only the cache if that is your goal. Check Cached images and files. Review the other boxes before proceeding. Leave cookies, browsing history, saved passwords, and other data types unchecked unless you specifically intend to remove them.
Confirm the deletion. Select Clear now or the button Edge displays to finish. Wait for the confirmation or for the panel to close before testing the site again. If the affected page was open, reload it after clearing.
Test the result. Visit the page that had the problem. Edge may take longer to show it on the first visit while it fetches fresh files; later loads may be quicker as the cache builds again.

Keyboard shortcut: On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete to open the clear-browsing-data dialog in Edge. On Mac, try Command+Shift+Delete. If a shortcut does not work in your version, use the Settings route above.

Common Mistakes

Clearing more than intended: The dialog can include cookies, history, and saved information alongside cached files. Selecting those options may sign you out of websites, remove entries from your history, or affect autofill. Check the selections before confirming.
Choosing the wrong time range: The time range applies to the selected data types. If you want to remove only recent cached files, do not choose all time without checking what the dialog will delete.
Expecting cache clearing to delete everything: Cached images and files are only one category of browser data. This action does not necessarily remove downloads saved on your device, bookmarks, or data stored by websites in other ways.
Closing the dialog too soon: If Edge has not completed the action, the files may remain. Wait for the interface to finish, then reopen the dialog if you need to check or repeat it.
Repeating the action without testing: Clearing cache over and over is unlikely to help if the cause is a network issue, a site outage, or a browser extension. Test the page after one clear before trying other fixes.

Tips

Start with a narrow selection. When troubleshooting one website, select cached images and files only. This makes it easier to tell whether clearing the cache helped without disrupting your other browsing data.
Try a private window as a check. Open an InPrivate window from Edge’s menu and load the site. If it works there but not in your regular window, browser data or an extension could be involved. Private browsing is a diagnostic step, not a replacement for clearing cache.
Close and reopen a troublesome tab. After clearing, close the affected tab and open the address again. A normal reload may be enough; a hard refresh can also request fresh page files, though its shortcut can vary by operating system.
Keep the reason in mind. Cache clearing is useful for stale or damaged temporary files, but it is not a routine requirement. Edge manages cached files automatically, and clearing them can temporarily increase loading time and data use.
Check which Edge profile is active. Browser data is associated with the profile in use. If you have multiple profiles, confirm you are clearing data in the one where the issue occurs.

Troubleshooting

The clear-data option is missing: Make sure you are in Edge’s Settings, not the settings for your computer or another browser. Use the Settings search box to look for “clear browsing data.” If labels differ, look for the Privacy section and its data-clearing controls.

The page still looks wrong: Reload it, then close and reopen the tab. Check your internet connection and try another website. If only one site is affected, the issue may be on that site rather than in Edge. You can also temporarily disable extensions one at a time to check whether one is interfering.

The dialog will not clear data: Close other Edge windows and tabs, reopen the browser, and try again. If the browser is managed by a workplace or school, an administrator may restrict some settings. Use the device’s normal account and follow its management rules rather than trying to bypass restrictions.

You were signed out unexpectedly: Cookies may have been selected along with the cache. Sign in again if appropriate, and review the checkboxes before the next attempt. If you only want cached files removed, leave cookies and other categories unchecked.

The problem returns: If clearing cache helps only briefly, check for an Edge update through its built-in About section, restart the browser, and test with extensions disabled. Persistent problems across multiple websites may point to a connection or device issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does clearing Edge’s cache delete my passwords?

Not when you select only Cached images and files. Saved passwords are a separate data type, so check the dialog and leave that option unchecked if you want to keep them.

Will clearing the cache sign me out of websites?

Clearing only cached files generally does not remove website cookies. Selecting cookies or other site data can sign you out, so review the selections before confirming.

How often should I clear the cache?

There is no required schedule. Edge manages cached files automatically; clear them when troubleshooting a loading or display problem, or when you have another specific reason.

Can I clear the cache for just one website?

Edge’s standard clear-browsing-data dialog clears cached files for the time range you choose, rather than offering a simple cache-only control for one site. Site-specific controls may vary by version, so check the site-data options in your Edge settings if you need to remove data for one site.

Does clearing the cache remove downloaded files?

No. Cached website files are temporary browser data, while downloads are files saved to your device. Clearing the cache does not normally delete items in your Downloads folder.

Why does a website load more slowly after I clear the cache?

Edge may need to download images and other page resources again. That can make the first visit slower; the browser can cache those files again as you browse.

Further reading: Microsoft Support. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.