What clearing your cache does and why you might need to

Clearing your cache removes temporary files that Internet Explorer has stored on your computer — things like images, scripts, and partial web pages that the browser saved to load websites faster next time. When you clear the cache, you free up disk space and remove data that websites have collected about your browsing.

You might clear your cache if a website is loading incorrectly, if you want to remove browsing history before someone else uses your computer, or if you simply want to reclaim storage space. Some people clear it regularly as part of routine maintenance.

The process is straightforward and takes less than a minute. Internet Explorer stores cache in a specific folder, and the browser gives you a direct way to empty it without touching anything else on your computer.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Internet Explorer, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete, and the Delete Browsing History window opens automatically.
  • Check the box next to "Temporary Internet Files and website files" — this is your cache.
  • Click Delete and wait for the confirmation message; the process usually takes a few seconds.
  • If Ctrl+Shift+Delete does not work on your version, you can reach the same window through the Tools menu instead.

The fastest way: keyboard shortcut

The quickest method is to use the keyboard shortcut. Open Internet Explorer, then press Ctrl+Shift+Delete at the same time. The Delete Browsing History window will open immediately.

Look for the checkbox labeled "Temporary Internet Files and website files" — this is your cache. Make sure it is checked. You can leave the other boxes unchecked if you want to keep your browsing history, passwords, or cookies; clearing the cache alone will not touch those unless you tell it to.

Click the Delete button. Internet Explorer will remove the cached files and show a confirmation message when it is done. The window stays open so you can clear other items if you need to, or you can close it.

Using the Tools menu if the shortcut does not work

If Ctrl+Shift+Delete does not open the delete window on your version of Internet Explorer, you can reach it through the menu instead. Click the Tools icon (it looks like a gear) in the top right corner of the browser window.

From the dropdown menu, select Delete browsing history. This opens the same Delete Browsing History window as the keyboard shortcut. Follow the same steps: check "Temporary Internet Files and website files," click Delete, and wait for confirmation.

If you do not see a Tools icon, your version of Internet Explorer may be very old. Look for a menu bar at the top of the window with words like File, Edit, View, or Tools. Click Tools from that menu instead.

What to do if a website still loads incorrectly after clearing cache

Sometimes clearing the cache alone does not fix a website that is loading wrong. If the problem persists, try closing Internet Explorer completely and opening it again. This forces the browser to reload everything fresh.

If that does not work, you can also clear your cookies along with the cache. Open the Delete Browsing History window again (Ctrl+Shift+Delete or Tools menu), check both "Temporary Internet Files and website files" and "Cookies and website data," then click Delete. Cookies are separate from cache but can also cause loading problems.

As a last step, try the website in a different browser like Chrome or Edge to see if the problem is specific to Internet Explorer. If the site works fine elsewhere, the issue is with Internet Explorer itself, not your cache.

How much space clearing cache actually frees up

The amount of space you recover depends on how long it has been since you last cleared the cache and how much you browse. For most people, cached files take up between 100 megabytes and a few gigabytes. If your computer is running low on storage, clearing the cache can help, but it is usually not the biggest space-saver available.

If you need to free up significant space, look at larger items first: old downloads, videos, or photo libraries. The cache is worth clearing as part of regular maintenance, but it is rarely the main culprit when a computer runs out of room.

Setting Internet Explorer to clear cache automatically

If you want Internet Explorer to clear your cache every time you close the browser, you can set that up in Settings. Click the Tools icon (gear) and select Internet options. Go to the General tab.

Under the "Browsing history" section, check the box that says "Delete browsing history on exit." This tells Internet Explorer to automatically clear temporary files, cookies, and history when you close the browser completely. You can then click Settings to choose exactly which items get deleted each time.

This is useful if you share your computer or want privacy by default, but it means you will not be able to use the browser's back button to revisit pages from your previous session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing my cache delete my saved passwords?

No, not unless you specifically check the box for "Passwords." The cache and passwords are stored separately. When you clear the cache, only temporary files are removed. Your saved passwords stay in Internet Explorer unless you choose to delete them.

Can I clear cache for just one website instead of everything?

Internet Explorer does not have a built-in way to clear cache for a single website. The delete function removes all cached files at once. If you want to clear cache for just one site, you would need to clear everything and then revisit the sites you want to keep cached.

What is the difference between cache and cookies?

Cache stores images, scripts, and page files to make websites load faster. Cookies store information about you — like login details or preferences — that websites use to remember you. They are separate, and you can clear one without the other by checking different boxes in the Delete Browsing History window.

How often should I clear my cache?

There is no set schedule. Many people clear it monthly or when a website stops working correctly. If you share your computer, you might clear it more often for privacy. If you are the only user and storage is not an issue, clearing it a few times a year is fine.