Numerous users are wondering, what are temporary Internet files and why should one regularly remove them? Below you will find all the answers.

Whenever you visit a website, your browser automatically saves certain files to your storage drive. These files are called temporary Internet files, and their goal is to help you access web pages faster.

However, while serving a useful purpose, over time, temporary Internet files start eating into your storage space. In this article, you will learn how to clear temporary Internet files from a Windows computer.

What Are Temporary Internet Files?

Temporary Internet files, also called cache files or browser cache, are copies of web pages, images, videos, and other multimedia content saved to your PC’s drive when you browse online.

These files’ purpose is to boost the performance of your web browser when you revisit websites. Thanks to this configuration, the browser can quickly access the readily available cached files instead of downloading them from the web server once again.

Temporary Internet files speed up the loading of web pages since the content you need is quickly retrieved from the cache. They also improve the performance of online services and apps as frequently used content can be accessed faster.

Unfortunately, temporary Internet files can consume a large amount of space on your hard drive as time passes, which can slow down your PC. To prevent this, it is recommended to regularly remove them from your computer. Below you will find tips on how to clear temporary Internet files on a Windows PC.

How to Delete Temporary Internet Files from a Windows Computer Manually

Temporary Internet files accumulate over time and negatively affect the performance of your computer. Here is how you can get rid of them on different browsers:

How to delete temporary Internet files in the Chrome browser

Chrome is king when it comes to online search, so there is little wonder you may want to find out how to delete temporary Internet files to make your Chrome browser faster. Here are the instructions that will help you do so quickly:

  1. Launch your Chrome browser.
  2. Navigate to the top right corner and click on “More” (the three vertical dots).
  3. Select “More tools” from the menu and then click on “Clear browsing data.”
  4. Choose a time range. Select the All time option if you would like to clear everything.
  5. Check the Browsing history, Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files categories.
  6. Select Clear data.

how to delete temporary internet files

How to Clear Temporary Internet Files in the Edge Browser

Edge, Microsoft’s proprietary, cross-platform browser, is a popular choice for Windows users. Here is how you can rid it of the temporary Internet files you no longer need:

  1. Open the Edge app and select “More” (the three horizontal dots).
  2. Select Settings and navigate to “Privacy, search and services.”
  3. Scroll to the “Clear browsing data” section.
  4. Go to “Clear browsing data now” and click on “Choose what to clear.”
  5. In the Clear browsing data window, under Time range, select “All time.”
  6. Check all the item types and click “Clear now.”

how to delete temporary internet files

How to Delete Temporary Internet Files in the Firefox Browser

Firefox is the third most popular browser among Windows users, so it is important to know how to clear temporary Internet files in this app. Here is a guide on how to eliminate them:

  1. Run the Firefox browser on your Windows device.
  2. Navigate to the upper-right corner of the window and click the Open menu button.
  3. Select Settings and open “Privacy and Security.”
  4. Proceed to the “Cookies and Site Data” section.
  5. Click “Clear Data.”
  6. Mark the “Cookies and Site Data” and “Cached Web Content” boxes.
  7. Click the blue Clear button.

how to delete temporary internet files

Why Do You Regularly Need to Delete Temporary Internet Files?

There are a few compelling reasons why it is essential that you delete temporary Internet files from your computer on a regular basis:

  • Speed up the Internet: Temporary Internet files can slow down your connection by clogging up your browser’s cache. Deleting these files will give your browser a speed boost and make your Internet faster.
  • Increase security and privacy: Temporary Internet files can store data like browsing history, login credentials, and cookies. Getting rid of these files will prevent prying eyes from accessing your sensitive details and enhance your privacy and security.
  • Free up disk space: Temporary Internet files tend to accumulate over time and hog a significant amount of storage space on your device. Deleting them can clean your PC and free up space.
  • Resolve errors: Outdated or corrupted temporary Internet files cause issues when surfing the web. Removing these files can fix such problems and help you access websites effortlessly.

How to Delete Temporary Internet Files Regularly in One Click

Clearing temporary Internet files manually can be a time-consuming process. Besides, you may fail to delete their traces or eliminate all kinds of temporary items clogging up your storage drive.

Some users prefer to simplify the task with dedicated software. For example, an app like Auslogics BoostSpeed can help you get rid of temporary Internet files and other PC junk taking up valuable space on your Windows 7,8, 10, or 11 computer.

Auslogics BoostSpeed offers a one-click scanner for fixing disk space issues. This tool is designed to free up disk space, improve system stability and boost overall PC performance with a click of a button. You won’t have to work your way through junk elements like temporary Internet files, thumbnails, unneeded program files, outdated crash reports, and deleted files and purge them one by one from your device.

Performing a regular automated cleanup with Auslogics BoostSpeed will help your system run faster and more efficiently, reduce the risk of your sensitive data falling into the wrong hands, and prevent system errors, crashes and data loss. This will help extend the lifespan of your computer.

Here is how to clear temporary Internet files and other PC junk with Auslogics BoostSpeed:

  1. Download the Auslogics BoostSpeed app on your Windows PC.
  2. Install and run the tool.
  3. From the “My Dashboard tab”, migrate to “My Scanner.”
  4. Make sure the Disk Space category is marked.
  5. If you want to scan your PC for stability and performance issues and fix them as well, keep the Stability and Performance categories checked.
  6. Click the blue “Scan all” button.
  7. Wait until BoostSpeed is done scanning your PC for disk space, stability and performance problems.
  8. The tool will show you the issues it has detected. Click the “Resolve Selected” button to get them fixed automatically.
  9. Wait while BoostSpeed is resolving the issues. Once it is finished, your PC will be free from temporary Internet files and other clutter.

 

how to delete temporary internet filesConclusion

Temporary Internet files are copies of web content that accumulate over time, clutter your storage space and slow down your computer. You need to delete them regularly to keep your system running at its best. While you can do that manually via your browser’s menu, we recommend performing a deep cleanup with the help of dedicated software, such as Auslogics BoostSpeed.

FAQ

Where Are Temporary Internet Files Stored?

Temporary Internet files are kept on your computer’s hard drive. There is a specific folder dedicated to them, and its location depends on your OS and browser. For instance, it can be C:\Users%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache, where “%username%” is the name of the user account that is currently logged in.

How to Remove Temporary Internet Files?

You can eliminate temporary Internet files either manually or automatically. We recommend the latter option since using reputable software to perform PC clean-ups is a more reliable and efficient solution.

Why Can’t I Delete Temporary Internet Files?

If you cannot delete temporary Internet files, some of them might be currently in use by an app or service. Close any apps that may be behind the issue and then try deleting the files again.

Some temporary Internet files may be protected by Windows, meaning you need to log in with an administrator account to be able to remove them.

This issue can also arise when you are trying to manually delete corrupted or hidden temporary Internet files. In this case, you can only get rid of them with the help of a dedicated PC junk remover. For example, Auslogics BoostSpeed can eliminate even the most persistent junk items.