How to Clear Cache and Cookies in Microsoft Edge
Clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge to fix slow or broken pages. Here is the exact path, plus how to clear one site or wipe data on every exit.
To clear cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge, open the menu (the three dots), go to Settings, then Privacy, search, and services, and under “Clear browsing data” choose what to clear — or just press Ctrl+Shift+Delete. Tick “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files,” pick a time range, and select Clear now.
Clear it in a few clicks
Open Settings and more (the three dots at the top right), then Settings, Privacy, search, and services. Under Clear browsing data, select Choose what to clear. Set a Time range — from Last hour to All time — tick Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then Clear now. The fastest route is the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Delete, which opens the same box from any page.
| Option | What it clears | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Cached images and files | Stored copies of page assets | Frees space; pages reload fresh |
| Cookies and other site data | Logins, sessions, preferences | Signs you out of most sites |
| Browsing history | Pages you visited | Clears the list, not your logins |
Cache vs cookies — clear the right one
They are not the same thing. The cache holds copies of images and scripts so pages load faster, so clearing it only forces a fresh download. Cookies store your logins and site preferences, so clearing them signs you out. If a page looks broken or stale, clear the cache first and leave cookies alone; clear cookies only when a site misbehaves on sign-in. It is the same split covered in clearing cookies in Chrome and clearing cookies in Firefox.
Clear the cache when pages look wrong, clear cookies when sign-in breaks, and reach for Ctrl+Shift+Delete so you are not hunting through menus. If Edge itself is misbehaving rather than one page, Microsoft Edge not working covers the repair steps.
Common questions
How do I make Edge clear cookies automatically when I close it?
Go to Settings, Privacy, search, and services, Clear browsing data, and open “Choose what to clear every time you close the browser,” then turn on Cookies and other site data. Edge wipes it on every exit, which signs you out of sites each time.
How do I delete cookies for just one website?
Go to Settings, Cookies and site permissions, Manage and delete cookies and site data, See all cookies and site data, search for the site, and choose Delete next to it. Every other site’s cookies stay put.
Does clearing cookies sign me out of everything?
Yes. Login sessions live in cookies, so clearing them logs you out of most sites. Clearing only the cache does not sign you out.
Will clearing the cache delete my passwords or favorites?
No. Cache and cookies are separate from saved passwords, favorites, and history — those have their own checkboxes in the Clear browsing data box and are left alone unless you tick them.