Clearing cache and cookies in Microsoft Edge can fix stale pages, sign-in loops, and some website errors. Cookies also store sessions and preferences, so clearing them can sign you out of websites.
Steps
- Open Microsoft Edge.
- Open Settings > Privacy, search, and services.
- Find the section for Clear browsing data.
- Choose Choose what to clear.
- Select an appropriate Time range.
- Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
- Clear the selected data, then reopen the affected website and sign in again if necessary.
You do not always need to clear everything
For a problem limited to one website, Edge can let you inspect or remove data for a specific site. This preserves sessions and preferences elsewhere.
Passwords are a separate category
Do not select saved passwords, autofill data, history, or other categories unless you intentionally want to remove them. Read the checklist before confirming.
Cache and cookies serve different purposes
Cache stores local copies of web resources to speed loading. Cookies can store sign-in sessions, preferences, and identifiers. Clearing both is broader than refreshing a page.
Windows 10 is unsupported
Windows 10 reached the end of standard support in October 2025. Keep Edge updated where Microsoft still provides it, but migrate sensitive browsing to a supported operating system.
Close and reopen affected tabs
After clearing site data, close the problem tab and open the site again rather than relying only on an already loaded page. This forces Edge to request fresh resources and establish a new cookie session where necessary.
The fastest way: a keyboard shortcut
With Edge open, press Ctrl+Shift+Delete. The Clear browsing data window opens right away. Pick a time range, check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, and click Clear now.
Which time range to pick
| Time range | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Last hour | A site broke just now after an update or sign-in |
| Last 24 hours or 7 days | Problems started recently |
| All time | Ongoing problems, or you want a full cleanup |
Clear data for just one website
- Open the website in Edge.
- Click the lock icon at the left of the address bar.
- Choose Cookies and site data (or Permissions for this site) and remove the stored data for that site.
- Reload the page and sign in again if needed.
This keeps you signed in everywhere else.
Clear cache and cookies automatically
In Settings > Privacy, search, and services, under Clear browsing data, click Choose what to clear every time you close the browser. Turn on the items you want removed each time you close Edge. You can add sites you want to keep signed in to as exceptions for cookies.
Try a hard refresh first
If only one page looks out of date, press Ctrl+F5 to reload it without using the cached copy. That often fixes the problem without clearing anything.
Things to know
- If you’re signed in to Edge with sync turned on, clearing data can remove it from your other synced devices too.
- Clearing cookies signs you out of most websites, so have your passwords ready.
- Prefer not to save data at all for a session? Use InPrivate browsing in Microsoft Edge.
- On a phone, see how to clear browsing data in the Edge iPhone app.
Related: Export Sticky Notes in Windows 10.
Related: Remove Microsoft Edge from Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
Will clearing the cache delete my bookmarks?
No. Favorites, saved passwords, and autofill data are separate and stay unless you select them.
Does this work the same on Windows 11?
Yes. Edge works the same on Windows 10 and Windows 11. In Chrome, see how to clear browsing data in Google Chrome.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.