Modern web browsers, including Microsoft Edge, store personal and browsing history. These browsers utilize caches to temporarily store browsing history and cache, resulting in faster retrieval for future requests. This caching mechanism enhances page load speed and improves the overall browsing experience.
However, the continuous creation of new cache files can quickly consume substantial space on storage. As a consequence, browser speed and performance may be negatively affected. To address this, clearing the cache and browsing history becomes crucial. It not only; frees up storage space but also enhances privacy and optimizes the browsing experience. Here, we will walk you through the steps to clear the cache and browsing history on Microsoft Edge on Windows 11.
Why You Should Clear Cache and Browsing History?
Understanding the significance of cache clearance is essential. Cache files are temporary data repositories that store various elements of websites you visit, such as browsing history, download history, cookies, site data, cached images and files, and passwords, among others.
This data can be stored either locally on your device or across your synchronized devices if the sync feature is enabled in the Microsoft Edge browser. Over time, this data can accumulate.
By clearing this history, you not only protect your privacy but also ensure that your browsing remains smooth and efficient.
How to Clear Cache and Browsing History on Microsoft Edge
There are two ways by which you can clear the cache and browsing history on Microsoft Edge on Windows 11: manually and automatically. We will discuss both methods, and you can follow either of the following methods to clear the caches. So, let’s dive in.
1. Manually Clear Cache and Browsing History
If you want more control over clearing your cache and browsing history, you can manually clear them. Here’s how to manually clear the cache and browsing history on Microsoft Edge on your computer.
1. Open the Microsoft Edge browser and click on the three dots in the top-right corner.
2. Now, you will get the menu options and click on the Settings option. This will take you to Edge’s settings page.
3. Or, you can access the settings page by visiting edge://settings/ on the address bar.
4. On the left side panel of the Settings, click on the Privacy, Search, and Services option, located just beneath Profiles.
5. Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section and click on the Choose what to clear button.
6. Now, you will see the Clear Browsing Data window. Here, select your preferred Time range from the drop-down menu. Options range from within the last hour up to the last 4 weeks. However, if you want to clear the data from all times, you can choose the All Time option.
7. After that, select the browser data you want to clear, such as browsing history, download history, cookies and other site data, cached images and files, and more.
8. Once you have made your selections, click on the Clear Now button to clear all the selected data.
When you clear your browsing data, it will be cleared across all your synced devices. If you only want to delete the data from the current device, first sign out from the device and then follow the same steps to clear the data.
2. Automatically Clear Cache and Browsing History
If you don’t want to repeatedly follow the steps to clear your cache and browsing history on Microsoft Edge, you can set up Edge to automatically clear them every time you close your browser. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below:
1. Open the Microsoft Edge and visit the Settings pages.
2. Then, click on the Privacy, Search, and Services option and scroll down to locate the Clear browsing data section.
3. Here, click on the Choose what to clear every time you close the browser option.
4. Here, choose what you want to clear every time you close the browser. For example, if you want to automatically clear the cache and browsing history, click on the toggle buttons for Browsing history and Cached images and files to turn them on.
That’s it! You’re all set now. Your changes will be saved and applied automatically. Feel free to click the back arrow or close the tab/browser to exit.
Conclusion
By regularly performing cache and browsing data clearance, you can free up storage space, safeguard your privacy, and enhance the speed and performance of your Microsoft Edge browser. That’s it! This is how you can clear the cache and browsing history on the Microsoft Edge browser.
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