How to Clear Your Cache on Edge, Windows 10, and Windows 11

Clearing your browser cache can help speed up webpage load times and fix other issues you may encounter while browsing the web. Read on to learn how to clear cache in Microsoft Edge, as well as delete temporary files and clean up your hard drive space in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Your browser cache stores website data like images, scripts, and videos to help pages load faster on return visits. But over time, this cached data can build up and start to slow things down instead. Clearing your cache deletes this temporary data so your browser and computer can operate more efficiently.

Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions for clearing cache and cleaning up unused files in Edge, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

Benefits include:

• Faster page load times
• Fixing browser issues caused by outdated cached files
• Freeing up hard drive space

Clearing your cache only takes a minute, so it’s a useful troubleshooting step if Edge or Windows starts acting sluggish.

Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge uses the same Chromium web engine as Google Chrome. Clearing your browsing data in Edge removes temporary internet, cookie, and website files stored on your computer.

Here’s how to clear cache in Edge:

1. Open Microsoft Edge
2. Click the three-dot Settings and more menu > Settings
3. Select Privacy, search, and services from the left menu
4. Click Choose what to clear under Clear browsing data
5. Select the types of data to remove
   • Make sure Cached images and files is enabled to clear cache
6. Use the Time range drop-down to choose how much history to clear
7. Click Clear now when ready to delete browsing data

And that’s all there is to it! Edge will remove the temporary files from your selected time range for a cache refresh.

Key takeaways:

• Access Clear browsing data in Edge’s Settings menu
• Check the box for Cached images and files
• Adjust the time range as needed
• Click Clear now to finish

Now let’s look at deleting temporary files from your Windows user profile.

Clear Cache in Windows 10

In addition to browser data, Windows stores temporary files from apps and programs you use over time. Here’s how to clear cache on a Windows 10 computer to reclaim hard drive space.

Step 1: Open Storage Settings

1. Open the Start menu and click the Settings cog
2. Click System > Storage from the Windows Settings options

This will show your hard drive usage statistics.

Step 2: Open Temporary Files

1. Scroll down and click the Temporary files option
2. Click Remove files to clear all of your stored temporary data

Windows will start clearing any cached or temporary files left behind by programs.

Step 3: Clear Recycle Bin

1. Go back to Settings > System > Storage
2. Under More storage settings: click Configure Storage Sense or run it now
3. Turn on Storage Sense or click Clean now to purge files in your Recycle Bin

Enabling Storage Sense lets Windows automatically remove unused temporary files over time.

Key points for Windows 10:

• Access temporary file management via Settings > System > Storage
• Delete temporary files and Recycle Bin manually or with Storage Sense

Now let’s look at the process for Windows 11.

Clear Cache in Windows 11

Managing temporary files works similarly in Windows 11. Here are the steps:

Open Settings and Select Storage

1. Open Settings from your Windows 11 Start menu
2. Click on System > Storage from the sidebar menu

You’ll now see your PC’s hard drive usage statistics.

Delete Temporary Files

Under the Storage breakdown graph in Settings:

1. Click Temporary files
2. Select any user profiles you want to clear
3. Click Remove files to delete all temporary data

This will purge any cached or leftover files from your apps and browser history.

Clear Recycle Bin

Towards the bottom of the Storage settings page:

1. Click Storage settings
2. Turn on Storage Sense or click Clean now to empty the Recycle Bin

Storage Sense lets Windows 11 automatically manage temporary files over time.

Key information:

• Access temporary file cleaners via Settings > System > Storage
• Manually delete temporary files for each user
• Enable Storage Sense to automatically remove unneeded temporary data

Cleaning these files can noticeably improve speeds and hard drive space as temporary data builds up from everyday computer use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about clearing cache in Edge and Windows:

1. Does clearing cache delete my history?

No, clearing your cache removes temporary internet files but leaves browsing history intact. Use Clear browsing data in Edge to delete history.

2. Can I recover cleared cache files?

Unfortunately, cleared browser cache or temporary files cannot be recovered. The data is permanently deleted.

3. Will clearing the cache improve PC performance?

Yes! Removing built-up temporary files can speed up general Windows performance, loading times, and free up drive capacity.

4. How often should I clear cache and temporary files?

It’s a good idea to clear browser cache once per month. Run disk cleaners for temporary Windows files every 3-6 months, or whenever your device feels sluggish.

5. Should I use Storage Sense in Windows?

Yes, Storage Sense is a handy automatic temporary file cleaner. Just be sure to exit any open programs first, as it may disrupt unsaved work.

Conclusion

And there you have it – efficiently clearing cache in Microsoft Edge, Windows 10, and Windows 11 is just a few clicks away. Pay special attention to clearing Cached images and files in Edge for a browser speed boost. Combine that with deleting Windows temporary data and enabling Storage Sense for lasting improvements.

Refreshing your cache, temporary files, and Recycle Bin can all help troubleshoot performance issues when webpages, apps, or your operating system start to slow down. Clearing this unused data forces programs to repopulate with the latest versions of cached files.

Hopefully you now feel confident on exactly how to clear cache and manage temporary storage space on your Windows devices. Following these steps every so often provides a quick performance pep and frees up precious drive capacity.