Steps For Clearing Browser Cache And Cookies

Overview

This article contains step-by-step instructions for clearing browser cache and cookies. Cookies are files created by websites you have visited. The purpose of the cookie is to help the website keep track of your visits and activity. Internet browsers store HTML web pages in a “cache”, by saving a copy of visited pages, and then accessing that copy when you re-visit that page. If the version of the page you are attempting to access is the same version as the previously stored copy, your computer uses the saved copy instead of re-downloading it from the Internet – this generally speeds up loading of pages. However, over time, your cache and cookie files may accumulate; and if the versions are not syncing properly, the computer may display the cached version of the page instead of the latest version. This is where “clearing your cache” may be helpful.

NOTE: Clearing your cache does not mean clearing your saved passwords. Clearing your cookies will cause websites to “forget” your login information, but you will still be able to load your saved passwords from your password manager. Pages may also load slower at first after performing this, as the data will be re-cached. 

Audience

Public

Information

This article contains instructions on clearing browser cache on the mentioned versions of the following browsers. Please consult the attached file as reference for clearing your browser if you are using an older version.

Internet Explorer (PC version 9+)

Mozilla Firefox (PC version 56+)

Google Chrome (PC version 55+)

Microsoft Edge (PC version 41+)

Safari (Mac version 10.01+)

Clearing Cache on Internet Explorer Version 9, 10, or 11 (PC):

1. At the upper right corner of the browser, click the “cog” (or “wheel”) icon. 
2. Hover over “Safety”, and click “Delete Browsing History”. 
3. This pops up a dialogue window. To clear only your cache, untick all boxes except for “Temporary Internet files and website files” (and “Cookies and website data” if you want to clear these too) and then click the “Delete” button. You will get a confirmation at the bottom of the window. 

Clearing Cache on Google Chrome 55 or higher (PC):

1. At the upper right corner  of the browser, click the “3 dots” icon. Note, in older versions you may see 3 lines, or a wrench icon, or an “exclamation point” icon if you have not updated your permissions recently. 
2. Hover over “More Tools” and click “Clear Browsing Data”.
3. Change the field to “the beginning of time” and select only “Cached images and files” (and “Cookies and other site data” if you want to clear these too), and click the “Clear Browsing Data” button. 

Clearing Cache on Mozilla Firefox 56 and higher (PC):

1. At the upper right corner of the browser, click the 3 lines iconand select “History”. 
2. Click “Clear Recent History”.
3. Change the field to “everything” and select only “Cache” (and “Cookies” if you want to clear these too), and click the “Clear Now” button.

Clearing Cache on Microsoft Edge 41 and higher (PC):

1. At the upper right corner  of the browser, click the 3 lines iconand select “History”. Click “Clear all history”:
2. Select only “Cached data and files” (and “Cookies and saved website data” if you want to clear these too), and click the “Clear” button. 

Clearing Cache on Safari 10.0.1 or above (Mac):

1. At the upper left of the browser, click Safari and select Preferences.
2. Select the “Privacy” tab, and then under Cookies and Website Data, click “Manage Website Data”.
    
3. Select “Remove All”, and then click in the popup, click “Remove Now”.