How to Clear Cache and Cookies on Microsoft Edge

The accumulated cookies and cached data in Microsoft Edge serve a purpose. Cookies help the browser remember preferences, while cached data speeds up website revisits. However, keeping old cache and cookies can cause issues. Therefore, it’s important to clear the cache and cookies on Microsoft Edge.

Cookies can pose a risk to privacy and security. In shared device scenarios, someone can gain access to a secure web portal you previously signed into using the cookies from previous visits. On the other hand, the browser cache can cause errors and issues while interacting with sites in Microsoft Edge. Sites may fail to work properly if the cached content becomes obsolete. To prevent these issues and troubleshoot site-related problems, it’s wise to clear your cookies and cache in Microsoft Edge. Let’s discuss how to do that.

What Happens When You Clear Cache and Cookies in Microsoft Edge

Clearing cookies and cache in Microsoft Edge erases temporary internet files stored on your device. Cookies store data that websites use to remember preferences and login information, while the cache holds copies of recently visited web pages.

Clearing cache and cookies improves browser performance by freeing up space and accessing the most updated versions of websites. It also protects privacy by removing stored data that could potentially track online activities.

Clear Microsoft Edge Cache and Cookies in Windows and Mac

Here are the ways you can clear cache and cookies on Microsoft Edge on Windows and Mac.

Visit the Settings panel in Microsoft Edge, and you can delete the cookies and cache. It’s not the fastest way to clear your data, but it’s a method worth remembering in case the speedier methods fail to work.

Step 1: Open the Edge menu (click the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner of the screen) and click Settings to access the Edge Settings panel.

Step 2: Click the Privacy and Services tab.

Step 3: Scroll down to Clear Browsing Data and click Choose What to Clear next to Clear Browsing Data Now.

Step 4: Use the pull-down menu under Time Range and select the duration to delete your data — last hour, 24 hours, 7 days, 4 weeks, or all data.

Step 5: Clear Cookies and Cached Images

To clear your cookies and cached images, follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of your browser.

2. Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.

3. Scroll down and click on “Advanced.”

4. Under the “Privacy and security” section, click on “Clear browsing data.”

5. On the next screen, check the boxes next to “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files.”

6. You can also choose to clear other forms of data, such as browsing history and download history, if desired.

7. Click on the “Clear data” button.

Please note that if you have saved passwords or auto-fill form data, make sure to leave those boxes unchecked to avoid losing that information.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your browser is free from unnecessary cookies and cached images, improving your privacy and security while browsing the internet.

Step 6: Click the Clear Now button.

To prompt Microsoft Edge to delete cookies and cache, select the desired time duration.

2. Use a Keyboard Shortcut

A faster way to access the Clear Browsing Data box in Step 4 is by using a keystroke. Press Shift+Ctrl+Delete simultaneously, and the Clear Browsing Data box will open in a new tab.

To delete cookies and cached data, select the checkboxes next to Cookies and Other Site Data and Cached Images and Files. Choose a time and click Clear Now.

If you prefer clearing your cookies and cache regularly, there’s a method to make the process less tedious. Microsoft Edge can automatically delete accumulated cookies and cache each time you exit, similar to using InPrivate Windows. Follow these steps to set up the browser to do that.

Step 1: Open the Edge menu and click Settings.

Step 2: Click the Privacy and Services tab.

Step 3: Scroll down to Clear Browsing Data and Click Choose What to Clear Every Time You Close the Browser.

Step 4: Activate the switches for Cookies and Other Site Data, as well as Cached Images and Files. Also enable the switches for any other data types you wish Microsoft Edge to automatically remove.

Microsoft Edge will automatically delete your cookies and cache when you exit the browser. Remember to close all Edge windows for this to take effect.

Microsoft Edge lets you delete cookies and cache for individual sites, eliminating the need to delete your entire browser cache and cookies, thereby avoiding the hassle of signing in to all sites again. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Edge menu and click on Settings.

Step 2: Click the side tab Site Permissions.

Step 3: Click Cookies and Site Data under Site Permissions.

Step 4: Click See All Cookies and Site Data.

Step 5: Search for the site you want to delete cookies and cache using the search bar in the upper-right corner of the screen.

Step 6: Click the trash can icon next to each search result to delete the cookies and cache for the site.

Microsoft Edge will cache a fresh instance of the site (and create a fresh set of cookies) the next time you visit it.

If you can’t open Microsoft Edge due to an issue, you can clear the cache and cookies without opening the application. Here’s how:

– Open the “Settings” menu.

– Go to “Privacy and security.”

– Select “Clear browsing data.”

– Choose the types of data you want to clear (cache and cookies).

– Click on “Clear.”

– Restart Microsoft Edge.

On Windows

To clear the cache, go to File Explorer and paste this path in the address bar:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache\Cache_Data

Select and delete the contents of the ‘Cache’ folder.

Similarly to clearing cookies, you can delete the file called Cookies in the following path:

%localappdata%\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Network.

On Mac

To clear the Microsoft Edge cache on Mac, Control+click on Finder and select ‘Go to Folder’. Paste the following address.

Select and delete the contents in the Cache_Data folder. To clear cookies, Control + click on Finder, select ‘Go to Folder’, and paste the following address. Delete the file named Cookies.

Clear Microsoft Edge Cache on iPhone and Android

Clear cache and cookies on Microsoft Edge in Android and iPhone apps with these steps:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge and tap the hamburger icon in the bottom right corner. Step 2: Tap Settings.

Step 3: Tap on ‘Privacy and Security’. Choose ‘Clear browsing data’.

Step 4: Check Cookies, Site Data, and Cached Images and Files. You can clear other types of data, like browsing history and download history, to protect your privacy.

Warning: Leave Passwords and Auto-fill Form Data boxes unchecked. Otherwise, you’ll have to re-enter passwords and form data.

Step 5: Tap Time Range. Select the desired deletion time range and go back.

Step 6: Tap Clear now to clear all browsing data.

Delete All Junk Files on Microsoft Edge

We hope this article helps you delete cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge. If you clear it regularly, you’ll notice performance improvements. Please share your preferred method in the comments below.