How to clear your cache in Internet Explorer and speed up your browsing and loading speeds

If you're having trouble with loading on Internet Explorer on your Windows 10 PC – in particular if certain web pages won't open or if the browser is running very slowly – you might need to clear the cache. In some cases, a large or corrupted cache can slow down the browser and cause rendering problems. 

Before you clear your cache, it's important to note that Internet Explorer is an obsolete web browser and is no longer actively supported by Microsoft. Unless you absolutely need to use it, such as for a Line of Business application that does not work on any other web browser, you should migrate to a newer browser, such as Microsoft Edge or another alternative like Chrome or Firefox. 

If you need to use Internet Explorer and still want to know how to clear your cache, here's how to do it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Windows 10 (From $139.99 at Best Buy)

How to clear the cache in Internet Explorer

1. Open Internet Explorer. 

2. Click the Tools menu in the upper right corner. Depending on your version of the browser, it will either be labeled "Tools" or will appear as an icon of a gear. 

3. In the drop-down menu, choose "Internet options."

4. On the "General" tab, and in the "Browsing history" section, click the "Delete" button. 

5. At a minimum, make sure that "Temporary Internet Files and website files" and "Cookies and website data" are selected. Also consider clearing the checkbox for "Preserve Favorites website data."

6. Then click "Delete."

7. After a few moments, your cached data will be deleted and you can see if Internet Explorer's performance improves.

Related coverage from Tech Reference:

• How to clear the cache on a Microsoft Edge browser to make it run more efficiently

• How to add a Microsoft Edge browser to your Windows PC if it isn't already installed

• How to clear the cache on a Windows 10 computer in 3 ways to help it run more efficiently

• How to clear your cache on Firefox in 2 different ways, to keep your browser running efficiently

• How to clear the cache on your Chromebook to keep your computer running smoothly