When using a computer, we often engage with various applications and the web, leading to the generation of temporary files. These files assist in improving performance and user experience by speeding up access to frequently visited websites and applications. The Temporary Internet Files (TIF) folder is a critical component in this process, particularly for users of Windows 10 and Windows 11. This article delves into the specifics of the Temporary Internet Files folder, its importance, how to locate it, manage its contents, and important considerations for maintaining optimal system performance.
Understanding Temporary Internet Files
Temporary Internet Files are cached copies of web pages, images, videos, and other multimedia content stored by your web browser. This caching mechanism is designed to enhance browsing speed. Instead of downloading the same content repeatedly, the browser retrieves these files from local storage, resulting in quicker load times and reduced data usage.
Why Are Temporary Internet Files Important?
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Speed: TIF saves time by allowing faster access to frequently visited sites. Instead of retrieving all components anew, browsers can pull them from the cache.
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Reduced Bandwidth Use: By reusing cached files, browsers decrease the amount of data transferred over the internet, which is especially helpful for users with limited data plans.
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Offline Browsing: Some browsers enable users to access cached versions of web pages when offline, providing utility even when an internet connection is unavailable.
However, as the Temporary Internet Files accumulate, they can consume significant disk space and may lead to outdated content. Therefore, regularly managing these files is essential.
Locating the Temporary Internet Files Folder in Windows 10 and 11
The location of the Temporary Internet Files folder can vary based on your browser and Windows configuration. For the Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer browsers, here are the usual locations:
1. Internet Explorer
For Internet Explorer, the Temporary Internet Files folder is located in the following path:
C:Users\AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsINetCache
2. Microsoft Edge
For Microsoft Edge, temporary files are stored in a slightly different location:
C:Users\AppDataLocalMicrosoftEdgeUser DataDefaultCache
Accessing the Folder
To access these folders, follow these steps:
- Press
Windows + R
to open the Run dialog. - Type
%LocalAppData%
and press Enter. - Navigate to the paths mentioned above based on the browser you are using.
3. Other Browsers
For other browsers, such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, the temporary files are stored in their respective cache folders.
-
Google Chrome:
C:Users\AppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser DataDefaultCache
-
Mozilla Firefox:
C:Users\AppDataLocalMozillaFirefoxProfiles\cache2
You can identify your Firefox profile by visiting about:profiles
in the address bar.
Managing Temporary Internet Files
Manual Deletion
Due to potential storage overload caused by Temporary Internet Files, manual deletion can assist in reclaiming disk space and prevents old cache files from causing browsers to act erratically.
Using Disk Cleanup Tool
Windows includes a built-in tool for cleanup, which can efficiently manage disk space, including the deletion of temporary internet files. Here’s how to use it:
- Press
Windows + S
and type “Disk Cleanup”. - Open the Disk Cleanup application.
- Select the drive you want to clean (typically C:).
- In the Disk Cleanup dialog, check the box next to «Temporary Internet Files» and any other file types you wish to remove.
- Click «OK» and then «Delete Files» to confirm.
Clearing Cache through Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to clear the temporary internet files directly from their settings:
- Google Chrome:
- Open Chrome and click the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Go to «More Tools» > «Clear Browsing Data».
- Choose the time range and ensure that «Cached images and files» is selected.
- Click «Clear data».
- Mozilla Firefox:
- Click the menu button and choose “Options”.
- Click on «Privacy & Security» and scroll to «Cookies and Site Data».
- Click «Clear Data» and ensure «Cached Web Content» is checked, then click “Clear”.
- Microsoft Edge:
- Click on the three horizontal dots in the top right corner.
- Go to «Settings».
- Navigate to «Privacy, search, and services».
- Under «Clear browsing data», click «Choose what to clear».
- Select «Cached images and files» and click «Clear now».
Third-Party Tools
There are various third-party applications like CCleaner that can automate the process of cleaning up temporary files, including those in cache directories. However, always exercise caution while using third-party tools.
Risks and Considerations
Data Loss
While temporary files can take up unnecessary space, it’s essential to consider that some websites might store crucial data related to user sessions in the cache. Deleting these files can lead to loss of session information, logged-in status, and in some cases, shopping cart contents.
Performance Impact
While cache plays a vital role in enhancing performance, excessive size can lead to the opposite effect. Browsers may start to crawl or crash if overwhelmed with too many temporary files. Regularly clearing the cache can actually enhance your browser’s overall performance.
Privacy Concerns
Temporary Internet Files can potentially store sensitive data like login credentials and browsing history. Regularly clearing your cache can help mitigate privacy concerns, particularly on shared or public systems.
Conclusion
In summary, the Temporary Internet Files folder plays a significant role in maintaining the performance and efficiency of web browsing in Windows 10 and 11. Understanding how to locate, manage, and delete these files is crucial for all users, particularly those who often browse the web.
By effectively managing temporary files, you not only reclaim storage space but also enhance your browsing experience, maintain privacy, and ensure that outdated files do not affect browser functionality. Regular maintenance of the Temporary Internet Files folder should be part of any user’s routine to keep their system running smoothly.
In an era of increasing focus on privacy and data management, staying informed about your system’s temporary files can help you achieve a better balance between performance, privacy, and storage management. By practicing regular clean-up routines and being cautious with browser settings and third-party tools, users can ensure their online habits are not only efficient but also secure.
Reset the temp files folder location or view temporary files
Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) uses temporary internet files to store copies of web content on a local hard drive. While it’s useful for improving network performance, it can quickly fill the hard drive with large amounts of unwanted data. If your computer has random images and other temporary internet files from Internet Explorer, delete them to clean up space and maybe speed up IE.
IE Temporary Internet Files Location
Internet Explorer has a default location where temporary internet files are stored. Depending on your operating system, temp files should be in one of these locations:
- C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\INetCache: This temp files location is relevant in Windows 10 and Windows 8.
- C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files: This is where temporary internet files are stored in Windows 7 and Windows Vista.
- C:\Documents and Settings\[username]\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files: This is where Windows XP IE temp internet files are stored.
- C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files: This is where downloaded program files are stored.
Replace [username] in the folder locations with your Windows username.
These locations display temporary internet files and files downloaded from the web. You can sort these lists by file name, address, file extension, size, and various dates.
However, if you don’t see these folders, it’s possible that they’ve been changed. You can see which folders your computer is using by accessing the settings described below.
How to Access the Settings for Temp Internet Files
The temporary internet file settings can be accessed through the Internet Explorer Internet Options screen. Use these options to change the temporary internet files folder location, set how often IE checks for cached website pages, and adjust the amount of storage reserved for temp files.
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Use one of these methods to open Internet Options:
- Open Control Panel, then select Network and Internet > Internet Options.
- In the Run dialog box or from Command Prompt, enter the inetcpl.cpl command.
- From Internet Explorer, select Tools > Internet options.
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Select the General tab, then go to the Browsing history section and select Settings.
-
Select the Temporary Internet Files tab to access more options to deal with temp files in Internet Explorer.
Other Ways to Deal With Temp Files in Internet Explorer
In the Temporary Internet Files tab, select Check for newer versions of stored pages to choose how often Internet Explorer looks in the temporary internet files folder for cached pages. More frequent checks speed up access to websites. The default option is Automatically but you can change it to Every time I visit the webpage, Every time I start Internet Explorer, or Never.
Another option you can change is how much storage space is allowed for temporary internet files. Choose any size between 8 MB and 1,024 MB (1 GB), but Microsoft recommends setting the disk space usage between 50 MB and 250 MB.
You can change the folder in which IE keeps temporary internet files. Change the folder to store cached pages, images, and other files on a different hard drive that has more space, such as an external hard drive. To do that, select Move folder and then choose which folder to use for temp files.
The other buttons on this screen are for viewing the objects and files that IE has stored. These are the folders mentioned above.
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- Microsoft Edge
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- Mac Cache Files
- How do I remove temporary internet files?
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This wikiHow teaches you how to find the temporary internet files for your web browser, as well as how to find other temporary files on your PC or Mac. Temporary files, or cache, are temporary data your computer uses to make operations run more smoothly. Your web browser uses temporary internet files to load websites faster. You can easily find where your browser or computer stores temporary files when you know where to look.
Where to Find Your Temporary Files
- In Microsoft Edge, temporary internet files are in «C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache»
- To view other temporary files on Windows, press Win + R, type «%temp%», and press Enter.
- To see temporary files on your Mac, navigate to «~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Caches» in Finder.
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Microsoft Edge stores your temporary internet files in «C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache» on Windows. Use the following steps to navigate to it:[1]
- Press Win + R to open Run.
- Type «%AppData%» and press Enter.
- Click AppData in the address bar at the top.
- Open the Microsoft folder.
- Open the Edge folder.
- Open the User Data folder.
- Open the Default folder.
- Open the Cache folder.
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The Microsoft Edge cache folder on Mac is located at «~/Library/Caches/Microsoft Edge/Default/Cache» and «~/Library/Application Support/Microsoft Edge/Default.» Use the following steps to navigate to these folders:
- Open Finder.
- Click Go.
- Hold Option and click Library.
- Open the Caches or Application Support folder.
- Open the Microsoft Edge folder.
- Open the Default folder.
- Open the Cache folder.
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The Google Chrome cache folder is stored at «C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache.» Use the following steps to open the Google Chrome cache folder on Windows:[2]
- Press Win + R to open Run.
- Enter %AppData% and press Enter.
- Click AppData in the address bar at the top.
- Open the Local folder.
- Open the Google folder.
- Open the Chrome folder.
- Open the User Data folder.
- Open the Default folder.
- Open the Cache folder.
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On Mac, Google Chrome stores cache files in «~/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome» as well as «~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Applications Caches.» Use the following steps to navigate to the Google Chrome cache folder:[3]
- Open Finder.
- Click Go.
- Hold Option and click Library.
- Open the Caches or Application Support folder.
- Open the Google Folder.
- Open the Chrome (stop here if you are in the «Caches» folder.)
- Open the Google folder.
- Open the Chrome folder.
- Open the Default folder.
- Open the Application Caches folder.
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=== Safari ===
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To find temporary internet files on your Mac, you’ll need to go to the Safari cache folder at «~/Library/Containers/com.apple.Safari/Data/Library/Caches» or «~/Library/Caches» on older versions of macOS. You can navigate to it using Finder. Click the blue smiling face icon on the bottom-left to open your Finder.
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It’s in the menu bar at the top of the page
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This will open your user library folder.
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Use the following steps to navigate to the Safari cache folder:
- Open the Containers folder (or «Caches» on older versions of macOS».)
- Open the com.apple.Safari folder.
- Open the Data folder.
- Open the Library folder.
- Open the Caches folder.
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This command opens and displays your temporary internet files (cache) in Firefox.
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It’s below the «disk» heading near the middle of the page. Doing so will open a page listing all of your Firefox’s temporary internet files.
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You can also find the Firefox cache files at «C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xxxxxxxx.default\cache2» on Windows. Use the following steps to navigate to it:
- Press Win + R to open Run.
- Type %AppData% and press Enter.
- Click AppData in the address bar at the top.
- Open the Local folder.
- Open the Mozilla folder.
- Open the Firefox folder.
- Open the Profiles folde.r
- Open the folder that has an 8-digit string of characters followed by «.default».
- Open the cache2 folder.
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The location of the cache folder for Firefox on Mac is «~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles.» Use the following steps to navigate to it:
- Open Finder.
- Click Go.
- Hold Option and click LIbrary.
- Open the Application Support folder.
- Open the Firefox folder.
- Open the Profiles folder.
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There are two types of temp files on Windows: Windows temp files, which are used by the operating system, and local user temp files, which are used by the apps you run. You can use File Explorer to find your Windows temp files.
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On most computers, this will be the «OS C:» drive. You can find it in the menu bar to the left, or under «This PC.»
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These are the general temp files that Windows creates. They are usually located at «C:\Windows\Temp.» You may need administrative access to access these files. Use the following steps to navigate to the Windows temp files.
- Click Windows.
- Scroll down and click Temp.
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You can use Run to quickly navigate to your local user temp files. These are where most of your applications store their temp files. Use the keyboard shortcut to open Run.
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This will open the local temp folder in File Explorer. The location of the local user temp folder is usually «C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Temp.»
- You will see a bunch of free-floating files as well as a few folders for various programs.
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Your Mac stores temporary files (other than those from your web browser) in folders for each app. Click the blue smiling face icon on the bottom-left to open your Finder.
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It’s in the menu bar at the top of the page
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This will open your user library folder.
- The Library option only shows up when you press down the Option/Alt key.
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This folder contains the temp files for all the applications on your Mac.
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Most temp folders on a Mac have a name like «com.apple.safari.» Here you can find the temp folders for various applications on your Mac.
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- Microsoft Edge: Click the three dots at the top-right corner and select Delete browsing data. Check the box next to «Cached images and files,» and remove the checkmarks from all other boxes. Select All time from the «Time range» menu and click Clear now to delete your cache.
- Google Chrome: Click the three dots at the top-right corner and select Delete browsing data. Check the box next to «Cached images and files,» uncheck all other boxes, select All time from the «Time range» menu, and then click Delete data.
- Safari: First, enable the Develop menu in Safari > Settings > Advanced. Then, click the Develop menu, followed by Empty Caches.
- Firefox: Click the three-line menu and go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Click Clear Data…, check the box next to «Temporary cached files and pages,» and remove all other checkboxes. Select Everything from the When menu, then click Clear.
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-
Question
How do I delete temporary Internet files in Chrome?
Within Chrome:
CTRL-H
Click on Clear Browsing Data
Check what you want deleted and select how far back
Then click Clear Browsing Data
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Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
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Temporary internet files can be anything from copies of the images and icons one finds on any website to files containing pieces of website code.
-
Neither Chrome nor Firefox stores usable files on your computer.
-
Some temporary Internet files will be impossible to open without the context of the website for which they were designed.
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About This Article
Article SummaryX
1. Open Finder.
2. Press the Option key and click Go.
3. Click Library.
4. Double-click Caches.
5. Double-click com.apple.Safari.
6. Double-click fsCachedData.
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Temporary Internet Files are a collection of web page data (such as images, audio, video, and scripts) saved on your computer when you browse the internet. These files are stored in a designated folder on your Windows 10 computer.
To locate the folder where Temporary Internet Files are stored in Windows 10, you can follow these steps:
1. Open your File Explorer by clicking on the folder icon in your taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. Select «This PC» or «Computer» in the left-hand navigation pane.
3. Double-click on your local hard disk drive (usually named «C:«).
4. Open the «Users» folder.
5. Select your user folder (the folder with your username).
6. Open the «AppData» (hidden folder) folder. If you can’t see it, you may need to enable hidden files and folders in your Folder Options.
7. Open the «Local» folder.
8. Open the «Microsoft» folder.
9. Open the «Windows» folder.
10. Open the «INetCache» folder.
11. Inside the «INetCache» folder, you should see a folder called «IE» or «MicrosoftEdge«, depending on what browser you are using. Open that folder.
12. Finally, you should see a folder named «Temporary Internet Files«. This is where all the temporary files are stored.
You can also access the Temporary Internet Files folder through your web browser’s settings. Different browsers may have slightly different steps to get there, but you usually need to go to the Settings or Options menu, then look for the Privacy or History tab. From there, you should be able to find the location of the Temporary Internet Files folder and clear your browser history, cache and cookies.
Where do I find temporary Internet files?
Temporary Internet files, also known as cache files, are saved by your web browser to help it load websites faster in the future. The location of temporary Internet files depends on your web browser and operating system.
In Windows, you can find temporary Internet files by:
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to your user profile folder (typically located at C:\Users\YourUserName).
2. Go to the AppData folder, which is usually a hidden folder. To unhide it, go to the View tab and check the Hidden Items checkbox.
3. Open the Local folder and then the Microsoft folder.
4. Look for a folder named Windows or WindowsTemporary Internet Files.
In Google Chrome, you can access temporary Internet files by:
1. Click on the three dots in the top-right corner to open the Chrome menu.
2. Click on More Tools and then select Developer Tools.
3. In the Developer Tools pane, click on the three dots in the top-right corner and select More Tools.
4. Click on Network conditions and then check the Offline checkbox.
5. Refresh the webpage you want to view the cache files for.
6. Click on the Cache tab to access the temporary Internet files.
In Mozilla Firefox, temporary Internet files can be accessed by:
1. Click on the three bars in the top-right corner to open the Firefox menu.
2. Click on Options and go to the Privacy & Security tab.
3. In the Cookies and Site Data section, click on Manage Data.
4. You can then view and manage the temporary Internet files by selecting a website and clicking on Remove Selected or Remove All.
How do I delete temporary Internet files in Windows 10?
Temporary internet files are stored on your computer when you browse the internet. Over time, these files can take up a significant amount of space on your hard drive and affect the performance of your computer. Here are the steps to delete temporary internet files in Windows 10:
1. Open the Settings app by clicking the Start button and selecting Settings (gear icon).
2. Click on the «System» icon.
3. Select «Storage» from the left-hand menu.
4. Click «Free up space now» under the Storage Sense section.
5. Check the box next to «Temporary files.«
6. Click «Remove files.«
Alternatively, you can also delete temporary internet files from within your web browser. Here are the steps for deleting temporary internet files in Google Chrome:
1. Open Google Chrome.
2. Click on the three dots icon at the top-right corner of the window.
3. Select «More tools» from the dropdown menu.
4. Click on «Clear browsing data.«
5. Select the timeframe for which you want to delete data.
6. Check the box next to «Cached images and files.«
7. Click «Clear browsing data.«
These steps will help you to clear up some space on your hard drive and can improve the overall performance of your computer. It is recommended to delete temporary internet files regularly to keep your system running smoothly.
How do I find hidden temp files in Windows 10?
Finding hidden temporary files in Windows 10 can be useful for freeing up storage space or troubleshooting issues related to software crashes or performance issues. Here are the steps to locate hidden temp files in Windows 10:
1. Open File Explorer and navigate to This PC/Local Disk (C:)\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\
Note: «AppData» folder is hidden by default, so make sure to enable «Hidden items» through the View tab in the File Explorer ribbon.
2. Once you’re in the Temp folder, you may need to scroll down or use the search box at the top right of the window to locate any hidden files.
3. You can also use the Windows Search bar in the taskbar and type «%temp%» to quickly navigate to the Temp folder.
4. (Optional) To view hidden files and folder permanently, go to the File Explorer tab and select Options -> Change folder and search options -> View. Under the Advanced settings, choose the option «Show hidden files, folders, and drives» and click OK.
Overall, finding hidden temporary files in Windows 10 is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using the built-in File Explorer and Windows Search functions.
Are temporary Internet files stored on the hard drive?
Yes, temporary internet files or cache are stored on the hard drive of a computer. When a user visits a webpage, the browser downloads and saves some of the website’s data such as images, script files, and HTML documents onto the hard drive. This helps the website to load more quickly on subsequent visits. The browser creates a cache of temporary internet files which are stored on the hard drive until they are either cleared manually by the user or automatically by the browser according to its set configuration. Temporary internet files are essential for smooth and fast browsing, but they also occupy a lot of disk space if not regularly maintained by the user.
Where is web cache stored?
Web cache, also known as browser cache, is a mechanism used by web browsers to store frequently accessed web pages or resources to reduce loading times and bandwidth usage.
The location of web cache depends on the operating system and browser being used. In general, web cache is stored on the local hard drive of the computer.
For example, in Windows, the default location for Google Chrome’s cache is «C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Cache«, while in macOS, it is stored in «/Users/%USERNAME%/Library/Caches/Google/Chrome/Default/Cache«.
Other browsers such as Firefox and Safari also have their own cache locations. It is worth noting that some browsers allow users to change the location of the web cache to a different location on the computer.
How do I clear my cache temporary Internet files?
Clearing your cache and temporary internet files can help improve the performance of your web browser by freeing up space and removing outdated data. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open your web browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, Edge).
2. Go to the settings menu (usually found in the top-right corner).
3. Click on «Privacy & Security» or a similar option.
4. Look for the «Clear Browsing Data» or «Clear History» option.
5. Select the time range you want to clear (e.g. last hour, last day, all time).
6. Make sure «Cache» or «Temporary Internet Files» is selected.
7. Click «Clear Data» or «Delete» to confirm.
After completing these steps, your browser’s cache and temporary internet files should be cleared. Keep in mind that clearing your cache may cause some websites to load more slowly at first, as the browser has to pull fresh data from the internet.
What is the location where temporary Internet files has changed?
Temporary Internet Files is a built-in feature of web browsers that stores website content, such as images, videos, and web pages, on your computer. This feature improves website loading times and helps reduce the amount of data that needs to be sent over the internet when you visit a website repeatedly.
In the recent versions of some web browsers, the location of Temporary Internet Files has been changed. For example, in Microsoft Edge browser, these files are now stored in a new folder called «Microsoft Edge Legacy» instead of the previous location «Internet Explorer«. Similarly, in Google Chrome browser, Temporary Internet Files are now stored in a folder called «Cache» in the user’s profile folder.
Therefore, if you’re looking for Temporary Internet Files in your browser, you may need to check the new locations where they are being stored in the latest versions of different web browsers.