How to Clear the Cache of Internet Explorer: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Greetings, readers!
Are you experiencing issues with your Internet Explorer browser? Do websites take forever to load, pages refuse to display correctly, or do you encounter annoying pop-ups and ads? If so, clearing the cache of Internet Explorer might be the solution you’ve been searching for. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to clear the cache of Internet Explorer, along with in-depth explanations of why and when you should do it. So, let’s dive right in!
Section 1: What is the Cache and Why Does it Need to be Cleared?
Subheading 1.1: Understanding the Cache
The cache is a temporary storage space in your browser that stores copies of websites you’ve recently visited. When you visit a website for the second time, the browser retrieves the website’s files from the cache instead of downloading them again from the internet. This significantly speeds up your browsing experience.
Subheading 1.2: Why Clear the Cache?
Over time, the cache can become cluttered with outdated or corrupt files. This can cause a variety of problems, including slow loading times, display issues, and unexpected errors. Clearing the cache removes these temporary files, freeing up space and potentially resolving any performance-related issues.
Section 2: Two Methods to Clear the Cache of Internet Explorer
Subheading 2.1: Method 1: Clear the Cache from the Browser Settings
- Open Internet Explorer and click on the gear icon in the top-right corner.
- Select “Internet Options” from the menu.
- In the “General” tab, click on the “Delete” button under the “Browsing history” section.
- Select the “Temporary Internet Files and website files” checkbox and click on “Delete.”
Subheading 2.2: Method 2: Clear the Cache Using the Command Prompt
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command: “rundll32 inetcpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByUsage 255” without the quotes.
- Press Enter and wait for the command to complete.
Section 3: When to Clear the Cache of Internet Explorer
Subheading 3.1: Resolving Browser Issues
As mentioned earlier, clearing the cache can help resolve a variety of issues you may encounter while using Internet Explorer, including slow loading times, display problems, and error messages.
Subheading 3.2: Troubleshooting Website Problems
Sometimes, website issues can be caused by outdated files stored in your cache. Clearing the cache forces the browser to download fresh versions of the files, potentially resolving the website problems you were experiencing.
Subheading 3.3: Freeing Up Disk Space
The cache can accumulate a substantial amount of data over time, especially if you browse the internet frequently. Clearing the cache can free up significant disk space, making your computer run faster and more efficiently.
Section 4: A Detailed Breakdown of the Cache Clearing Process
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Internet Explorer | Launch the browser |
| 2 | Click on the gear icon | Access browser settings |
| 3 | Select “Internet Options” | Open browser configuration |
| 4 | Click on “Delete” | Initiate cache clearing |
| 5 | Select “Temporary Internet Files and website files” | Choose cache to delete |
| 6 | Click on “Delete” | Perform cache deletion |
| 7 | Wait for completion | Browser clears cache |
Section 5: Check Out Our Other Informative Articles
For more helpful tips and tricks, be sure to check out our other articles:
- How to Speed Up Internet Explorer
- How to Block Ads in Internet Explorer
- How to Fix Common Internet Explorer Errors
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned how to clear the cache of Internet Explorer, you’ll be able to resolve browser issues, troubleshoot website problems, and free up valuable disk space. Remember to clear the cache periodically to maintain optimal browsing performance. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thanks for reading!
FAQ about Clear Cache of Internet Explorer
How do I clear the cache of Internet Explorer?
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click the Tools icon in the upper-right corner of the window.
- Select “Internet options” from the drop-down menu.
- Click the “General” tab.
- In the “Browsing history” section, click “Delete…”.
- Check the box next to “Temporary Internet files and website files”.
- Click “Delete” to clear the cache.
Why should I clear the cache of Internet Explorer?
- Clearing the cache can help improve the performance of Internet Explorer by freeing up memory.
- It can also help to resolve issues such as slow loading pages or broken images.
How often should I clear the cache of Internet Explorer?
- The frequency with which you should clear the cache of Internet Explorer depends on how often you use the browser and how many websites you visit.
- As a general rule, it is a good idea to clear the cache at least once a month or so.
What happens when I clear the cache of Internet Explorer?
- When you clear the cache of Internet Explorer, all of the temporary files that the browser has stored on your computer will be deleted.
- This includes files such as images, scripts, and other data that websites have stored on your computer to help them load faster.
Will clearing the cache of Internet Explorer affect my browsing history?
- No. Clearing the cache of Internet Explorer will not affect your browsing history.
- Your browsing history is stored in a separate location on your computer.
Will clearing the cache of Internet Explorer affect my passwords?
- No. Clearing the cache of Internet Explorer will not affect your passwords.
- Your passwords are stored in a secure location on your computer.
What is the difference between clearing the cache and deleting cookies?
- Clearing the cache deletes temporary files that websites have stored on your computer, while deleting cookies deletes small files that store information about your browsing history.
- Both clearing the cache and deleting cookies can help to improve the performance of Internet Explorer and resolve issues such as slow loading pages or broken images.
How do I clear the cache of Internet Explorer in Windows 10?
- In Windows 10, you can clear the cache of Internet Explorer using the Settings app.
- To do this, open the Settings app and go to “Apps” > “Apps & features”.
- Find “Internet Explorer” in the list of apps and click on it.
- Click on the “Advanced options” link.
- Under “Reset”, click on the “Reset” button.
How do I clear the cache of Internet Explorer using the command line?
- You can also clear the cache of Internet Explorer using the command line.
- To do this, open a command prompt window and type the following command:
rundll32 inetcpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 8