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How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Microsoft Edge
Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
Microsoft EdgeWindowsMacLinuxCacheCookiesPrivacySecuritySettingsTroubleshootingBrowser Performance
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Clearing the cache and cookies in your web browser is important for maintaining privacy, security, and overall browser performance. This guide will provide a detailed explanation on how to clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge, a popular web browser used by many individuals around the world. Let us take a closer look at what cache and cookies are, why you should clear them, and the detailed steps to do so in Microsoft Edge.
Understanding cache and cookies
Cache and cookies are two types of storage used by web browsers to improve user experience. They may seem similar but serve different purposes.
What is cache?
The cache is a collection of temporary files that a web browser saves on your computer or device when you visit a website. These files often include images, scripts, and other components of a webpage. The main purpose of the cache is to help pages load more quickly during future visits to the same site. When you visit a webpage again, the browser can load these stored components from your device instead of downloading them again, leading to faster page loading times.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that websites you visit place on your device. They store information about your interactions with the site, such as login status, preferences, and items in a shopping cart. Cookies help provide a personalized browsing experience by remembering your previous actions and settings on that website.
Reasons to clear cache and cookies
Although cache and cookies can improve your web browsing experience, there are several reasons why you should clear them from time to time.
- Free up space: Over time, cached files and cookies accumulate and can take up a lot of space on your device. Clearing them can free up storage space.
- Privacy concerns: Cookies store information about your online activities, which may be uncomfortable for some users. Clearing cookies removes these records and increases privacy.
- Troubleshoot browsing issues: Sometimes, cached files can become outdated or corrupted, causing problems such as websites not loading properly or displaying out-of-date content. Clearing the cache may solve these issues.
- Reset website settings: If website settings or preferences stored in cookies cause problems, clearing cookies may reset them to their default state.
- Security reasons: Outdated cookies can pose a security risk, especially if they relate to sessions on financial or sensitive sites. Clearing them can help protect you from potential security threats.
Steps to clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge
Follow these detailed steps to clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge
Launch Microsoft Edge on your computer. You can find the Edge icon on your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu. After opening the browser, go to the top-right corner where you will see three horizontal dots. This icon is the menu button.
Step 2: Access the settings menu
Click the three dots icon to open the drop-down menu. From the menu options, select Settings, which will take you to the Edge settings page.
Step 3: Open privacy, search, and services
Once you are in the Settings tab, look to the left side of the menu and click on Privacy, Search, and Services. This section contains options related to privacy and data management.
Step 4: Go to clear browsing data
In the Privacy, Search, and Services section, scroll down until you see the Clear browsing data heading. Under this heading, click the Choose what to clear button.
Step 5: Select the data types to clear
A dialog box will appear with several checkboxes. These represent the different types of browsing data you can clear. To clear the cache and cookies, make sure to select the checkboxes next to Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files. You can also select other data types if you want.
Step 6: Select the time frame
Above the checkbox, there is a dropdown menu called Time Range. Click this menu to select the time period for which you want to clear the data, such as Last Hour, Last 24 Hours, Last 7 Days, Last 4 Weeks, or All Time. Choose the option that suits your needs.
Step 7: Clear the data
After selecting the desired data types and time range, click the Clear Now button at the bottom of the dialog box. This action will clear the selected browsing data types from Microsoft Edge.
Things to consider
Sign-in: Clearing cookies may result in signing out of websites, since cookies are often used to keep you logged in. Be prepared to re-enter your login information for sites you revisit after clearing cookies.
Website preferences: Resetting cookies will also erase any custom website settings you have configured. Make sure you are familiar with your preferences, as you will need to re-apply them.
Conclusion
Regularly clearing the cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge can help maintain the efficiency of your browser and protect your personal information. This detailed guideline aims to simplify the process of clearing cache and cookies, enhance your understanding of their functions, and provide step-by-step instructions for effectively managing this aspect of browser maintenance. By following these steps, you can ensure a smoother, more secure, and private browsing experience with Microsoft Edge.
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