[2023 Full Guide] How to Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge

In today’s digital age, privacy is a top priority for many users. Microsoft Edge browser offers several privacy search and service features to help users protect their online privacy. Clearing cookies, cache, and other browsing data can help you keep your browsing history clean and protect your personal information.

In this post, we will show you how to clear browsing data in the Microsoft Edge browser in 5 different ways. By the end of this guide, you will have the knowledge and skills to take control of your online privacy and keep your browsing data secure. Let’s get started!

What are Cookies?

During your visit, websites save tiny text files known as cookies on your computer or mobile device. They contain information about your preferences and browsing history and can be used for various purposes, such as remembering your login credentials or personalizing your browsing experience. While cookies can be useful, they can also be used to track your online activities and gather your personal information.

To protect your privacy, it’s important to clear cookies regularly. Microsoft Edge browser offers a simple way to do this, clearing cache, cached images and files, downloading history, autofill form data, site permissions, and more. You can choose to clear data for a specific site or all sites, and you can select the time range you want to clear, from the last hour to all time. You can also set Microsoft Edge to clear cache and cookies automatically when you close the browser.

To Clear Cookies in the Microsoft Edge browser

1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser.

2. Hover over the three dots in the top right corner of the screen > select settings from the drop-down.

3. Click “Privacy, search, and services.”

4. Within the “Clear browsing data,” select “Choose what to clear.”

5. Select “Cookies and other site data.”

6. Choose the time range you want to clear from the “Time range” drop-down menu.

7. Click “Clear now” or the “Clear data” button.

8. Optionally, select “Always clear this when I close the browser” to have Microsoft Edge clear cookies automatically.

Other Ways to Clear Browsing Data on Edge

Delete Cookies from Specific Websites

To delete cookies from a specific website in Microsoft Edge without clearing all cookies, follow these steps:

1. Follow the first two steps from the section above to access the settings option.

2. From there, click on “Cookies and site permissions.”

3. Choose “Manage and delete cookies and site data” under the “Cookies and data stored” section.

4. Select “See all cookies and site data.”

5. Scroll through the list of sites until you find the website you want to remove cookies for.

6. Click on the downward arrow to expand the website’s details.

7. Select “Delete” by clicking on the trash can icon.

8. The cookies for that specific website will be deleted.

9. Repeat these steps for other sites you want to remove cookies from.

Configure Microsoft Edge to Automatically Delete Cookies

Deleting cookies after every internet session can be time-consuming, but fortunately, you can delete cookies every time you close Microsoft Edge automatically.

• Launch Microsoft Edge.
• Click on the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of the browser.
• Select Settings.
• Click on Privacy, Search, and Services.

To automate the process of deleting cookies, follow these steps.

1. Locate the Clear browsing data option > select Choose what to clear whenever you close the browser.

2. Toggle the Cookies and other site data switch to enable it.

After configuring this feature, Microsoft Edge automatically clears cookies and other site data when you close the browser. It’s important to note that this will log you out of your online accounts.

Enable or Disable Cookies in Microsoft Edge

To disable or manage cookies in Microsoft Edge, head to your Settings menu’s Cookies and site permissions section.

1. Locate and select Manage and delete cookies and site data.
2. You can block third-party cookies by turning on the Block third-party cookies option.
3. To enable cookies, turn on the Allow Sites to save and read cookie data option. If you want to block cookies from a specific site, add its web address under the Block section.

Microsoft Edge also offers the option to allow third-party cookies and site data temporarily for 30 days. You can remove it manually if you wish to revoke access sooner. Note that some sites require third-party cookies to work correctly, so Edge may prompt you to allow them.

How to Clear Cache in Microsoft Edge

Cached data and cookies are two distinct data types stored by web browsers. While cookies track your online activities, cached data stores information from previously visited websites to speed up future visits. However, there may be instances where you need to clear the cache, such as freeing up disk space or fixing web page loading issues.

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Click the three horizontal dots in the browser window’s upper-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Choose Privacy, search, and services.
5. Within the Clear browsing data section, select Choose what to clear.
6. Check the Cached images and files.
7. Click Clear now.

Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Del to open the window to clear the cache.

The Bottom Line

Clearing cookies on Microsoft Edge is a simple process that can help protect your privacy and free up storage space. By accessing the Edge settings menu, you can delete cookies from specific sites, automatically delete cookies on browser exit, or even disable cookies entirely.