Browsers: Clear the Cache, Cookies, and History

Question

How do I clear my web browser's cache (temporary files), cookies, and history?

Answer

Desktop Browsers:

Firefox:

  1. Click on the 3 horizontal lines icon (Library) in the upper right corner of the browser.
  2. From the drop-down menu, select History.
  3. Select Clear your recent history.
  4. Select Everything on the drop-down selection next to Time range to clear:.
  5. Check off the boxes for Offline Website Data and Site Preferences.
  6. Click on Clear Now.
  7. Quit Firefox and reopen it.

Chrome:

  1. In the browser bar, enter chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
  2. Select the following:
    • Browsing history
    • Download history
    • Cookies and other site and plug-in data
    • Cached images and files
    • From the Obliterate the following items from: drop-down menu, you can choose the time period for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select the beginning of time.
  3. Click Clear browsing data.
  4. Quit Chrome and re-open.

Internet Explorer 11:

  1. Click the cog wheel icon in the upper right corner of the browser window. 
  2. From the drop-down menu, select Internet Options.
  3. Under the General tab, select Browsing History and then Delete.
    1. For this time, deselect Preserve favorites website data.
    2. Select Download history.

Safari:

  1. From the Safari menu, select Clear History and Website Data.
  2. Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
  3. Go to Safari and select Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.
     

Mobile Browsers:

Android:

You should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu on most Android devices with the following:

  1. Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
  2. Swipe to the All tab.
  3. In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
  4. Quit all browsers and re-open.

Chrome on Android:

  1. Tap the Chrome menu and then Settings.
  2. Tap (Advanced) Privacy.
  3. Tap Clear browsing data.
  4. Quit all browsers and re-open.

Safari on iOS:

  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
  4. Quit Safari and re-open.
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Details

Article ID: 82879
Created
Thu 7/11/19 9:52 AM
Modified
Thu 10/21/21 2:26 PM

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