Delete Temporary Internet Files and Cookies

Clear them often to improve your web browser's performance

By
Mary Landesman
Mary Landesman
Writer
  • Brevard College
Mary Landesman is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and a security expert. She was named as one of the women to watch in IT security.
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Updated on July 13, 2022
Browsers

What to Know

  • Go to Tools (gear icon) > Internet Options. In Browsing history, select Delete. Select the checkboxes next to the files you want to delete.
  • Limit cache size in the future: Go to Internet Options > Browsing history > Settings.
  • Then, next to Disk space to use, lower the amount of memory IE uses to store temporary internet files.

This article explains how to clear your Internet Explorer cache. If left unchecked, a burgeoning cache can slow IE to a crawl or cause other unexpected behaviors. Instructions apply to Internet Explorer 11.

Microsoft no longer supports Internet Explorer and recommends that you update to the newer Edge browser. Head to their site to download the newest version.

How to Delete Temporary Files and Cookies

To delete temporary files or cookies, follow these steps.

  1. Open the Tools menu (the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the screen).

    The keyboard shortcut for the Tools menu is Alt+X.

  2. Select Internet options.

    Internet options in Internet Explorer

  3. In the Browsing history section, select Delete.

    The Delete History screen in IE with the Delete button highlighted

  4. Select the checkboxes next to the files you want to delete. Temporary internet files and cookies should be selected by default, but if you wish to preserve your saved passwords, for example, leave that check box empty.

    Internet Explorer's delete browsing history window with the History item highlighted

  5. Now that the files and cookies are gone, minimize their impact going forward. In the Internet Options menu, go to Browsing history > Settings.

    Internet Settings in IE with the Browser History Settings button highlighted

  6. Next to Disk space to use, lower the amount of memory IE uses to store temporary internet files. Microsoft recommends you set this number between 50 MB and 250 MB.

    IE settings with the Space to Use option highlighted

  7. Select OK to save your changes.

  8. Select OK to exit the Internet Options menu.

You may need to restart the browser before the changes take effect.

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