How do I clear the web browser cache, cookies, and history?

How do I clear the web browser cache, cookies, and history?

On this page:

• About cache, cookies, and history
• Troubleshooting alternatives
• Desktop browsers
  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Internet Explorer 9 and higher
  • Opera
  • Safari

 

About cache, cookies, and history

Clearing your web browser's cache, cookies, and history may remove data such as the following:

• Saved passwords
• Address bar predictions (e.g. Chrome, Firefox)
• Shopping cart contents, etc.

For information about your web browser's cache, cookies, and history, see the following Wikipedia pages:

• Web cache
• HTTP cookie
• Web browsing history

Troubleshooting alternatives

If you need to clear your cache, cookies, and history for troubleshooting purposes, but aren't yet prepared to lose the content listed above, you may wish to consider using a private browsing window in your preferred browser as a temporary solution. For instructions, see:

• How do I open a new Private Window? (Firefox)
• Browse in private with Incognito mode (Chrome desktop and Android)
• In Private Browsing (Internet Explorer)
• Browse InPrivate in Microsoft Edge
• Safari for Mac: Use Private Browsing windows in Safari
• Turn Private Browsing on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
• How to Clear Storage and Site Data for a Single Site on Google Chrome  (delete data only for a particular URL  e.g https://languagecloud.sdl.com/)

 

Desktop browsers

 

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 period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select the beginning of time.

3. Click Clear browsing data.
4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

 

Firefox

1. From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.

   If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

2. From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
3. Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
4. Click Clear Now.
5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

 

Microsoft Edge

1. In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like three horizontal lines).
2. Click the History icon, and then select Clear all history.
3. Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
4. After the All Clear! message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

 

Internet Explorer 9 and higher

Note:
As of January 12, 2016, Microsoft has ended support for Internet Explorer versions prior to version 11, unless you are running Windows Vista SP2 or certain versions of Windows Server; for a complete list of exceptions, see Microsoft Support Lifecycle. UITS strongly recommends that you upgrade to a new operating system if your current system does not support Internet Explorer 11 and is not on Microsoft's list of exceptions.

1. Select Tools (via the Gear Icon) > Safety > Delete browsing history....

   If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

2. Deselect Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
   • Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
   • Cookies or Cookies and website data
   • History
3. Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

 

Opera

1. From the Opera menu, select Settings, and then Delete Private Data....
2. In the dialog box that opens, select the items you want to clear, and then click Delete.
3. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

 

Safari

Safari 8

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 > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

Safari 7 and below

1. From the Safari menu, select Reset Safari....
2. Select the items you want to reset, and then click Reset. As of Safari 5.1, Remove all website data includes both cookies and cache.
3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.