How to Clear Cache on a Surface Pro

What You’ll Need

Your Surface Pro, powered on and signed in to your Windows account.
Access to the browser whose cache you want to clear, such as Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox.
A few minutes, and optionally an internet connection if you need to sign back in or reload websites afterward.

“Cache” can mean more than one thing. A browser stores copies of web images, scripts, and other site data to load pages faster. Windows and individual apps may also store temporary files. Clearing one cache does not automatically clear the others, so start with the browser or app that is having trouble. Menu labels and locations can differ slightly by Windows and app version.

Step-by-Step

Save your work. Close or save anything important in open apps. Clearing a cache normally does not remove documents, photos, or installed apps, but deleting browsing cookies or site data can sign you out or reset website preferences.
Choose the browser. Open the browser where pages are loading incorrectly or taking up unwanted stored data. If you use more than one browser, clear each one separately; Windows does not provide a single button that clears every browser’s cache.
Open the clear-data controls. In Microsoft Edge, select the three-dot menu, then Settings, Privacy, search, and services. Find Clear browsing data and choose what to clear. In Chrome, open the three-dot menu, choose Settings, Privacy and security, then Delete browsing data. In Firefox, open the menu, choose Settings, Privacy & Security, and find Cookies and Site Data or History. These paths may differ slightly by version.
Set a time range. Select the period you want to remove, such as the past hour or all time, if the browser offers that choice. A shorter range is less disruptive. Choose all time only when you intend to remove the entire selected history or cache.
Select cached files. Check the option named Cached images and files, Cached web content, or similar. To clear only the cache, leave browsing history, cookies, passwords, and autofill data unchecked. Review the selected boxes carefully because the labels vary between browsers.
Confirm the deletion. Select Clear, Delete, or the equivalent button. Wait for the browser to finish, then close and reopen it. Reload the affected page. Its first load may take longer because the browser must download fresh copies of files.
Clear Windows temporary files if necessary. Open Start, then Settings, and go to System > Storage > Temporary files. Let Windows scan the categories. Select only files you are comfortable removing, then choose Remove files. Settings paths can vary slightly by Windows version.
Check the result. Revisit the website or app that prompted the cleanup. If the problem remains, restart the Surface Pro and test again. For an app-specific problem, look in that app’s own settings for a cache or storage option rather than repeatedly deleting unrelated Windows files.

Common Mistakes

Deleting cookies by accident: Cookies can keep you signed in and store site preferences. Removing them may sign you out or reset settings. They are separate from cached images and files in most browser menus.
Expecting one cleanup to clear everything: Each browser keeps its own data, and apps may keep separate caches. Clear the relevant browser or app rather than assuming Windows cleanup covers them all.
Selecting every temporary-file category: Some categories may include downloads or other files you want to keep. Read the descriptions in Settings before selecting them, and do not treat every listed category as disposable cache.
Thinking cache clearing deletes personal files: Clearing just cached browser files should not delete your documents or photos. However, choosing additional categories can have different effects, so check the selection before confirming.
Expecting an immediate speed boost: Cache is designed to help pages load efficiently. Clearing it can briefly make sites slower while their files download again; it is mainly useful for troubleshooting or freeing some storage.

Tips

For a single website that looks outdated, first try refreshing the page. If that does not help, clear cached files for a limited time range rather than wiping all browsing data.
If a site continues to behave oddly, clearing its cookies or site data may help, but this is a separate step and can remove that site’s sign-in and preferences. Be sure you know how to sign in again.
Use Windows Storage settings to review temporary-file categories instead of deleting unfamiliar folders manually. Avoid removing files from system folders to try to clear a cache.
Keep Windows and your browser updated through their normal update settings. Updates can address bugs that cache clearing alone will not fix.
When troubleshooting, change one thing at a time. That makes it easier to tell whether clearing browser cache, removing temporary files, or restarting resolved the issue.

Troubleshooting

The clear-data button is missing

Look under the browser’s Privacy, Security, History, or Site data settings. Menu names and paths can vary by version. You can also use the browser’s settings search, if available, and search for “clear browsing data” or “cache.”

Some data remains after clearing

Make sure you cleared the correct browser and selected the intended time range. Close and reopen the browser, then check again. An open tab or an extension may reload site data; test in a private or InPrivate window to see whether the issue is tied to stored browser data.

Windows cannot remove a temporary file

Close apps that may be using the file, restart the Surface Pro, and try Settings > System > Storage > Temporary files again. If a category is unavailable or Windows reports that a file is in use, leave it rather than forcing deletion.

A website still will not load correctly

Check your internet connection, try another browser, and temporarily disable browser extensions that affect pages. If the problem occurs only in one app, update or repair that app using its supported Windows settings. Avoid deleting system folders or resetting the entire device just to clear a cache.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing cache delete my files?

Clearing only cached browser images and files should not delete your personal documents, photos, or downloads. Review Windows temporary-file categories before removing them, because the effect depends on what you select.

Will I be signed out of websites?

Not if you clear only cached images and files. Clearing cookies or site data can sign you out and remove saved website preferences.

How often should I clear the cache?

There is no required schedule. Clear it when you are troubleshooting a page or app, or when you have a specific storage reason; routinely clearing it can make websites reload more slowly.

Does restarting a Surface Pro clear its cache?

A restart can close apps and resolve temporary glitches, but it does not normally erase browser cache. Use the browser’s clear-data controls to remove cached web files.

Can I clear cache for just one website?

Some browsers let you find and remove data for an individual site in their cookies or site-data settings. The exact option varies, and removing site data may also sign you out of that website.

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.