Clearing Web Browser Cache

Purpose

This article covers how to clear your web browser's cached browsing data. The cache stores cookies, site data, and temporary files. Storing this data for too long can create usability issues with numerous websites and web-based applications.

Instructions

Click your browser's name in the list below to jump to the browser's specific instructions.

Google Chrome

  1. Click the menu icon in the upper-right corner of the Google Chrome window.
    Upper right corner of the browser window with an arrow pointing to the menu icon.
  2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
    Google Chrome drop-down menu with 'Settings' highlighted.
  3. After the Settings page opens, select Privacy and Security. (This option is located in the left column when using a laptop or desktop.)
    Google Chrome's Settings navigation menu with 'Privacy and security' highlighted.
  4. Select Clear browsing data.
    Google Settings window with 'Clear browsing data' highlighted.
  5. In the "Clear browsing data" window, ensure the Basic header is selected. Select Last 24 hours for the time range. Ensure the Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files checkboxes are checked. Then click the Clear data button.
    The 'Clear browsing data' window with the 'Basic' header hightlighted and the 'Clear data' button circled.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the menu icon in the upper-right corner of the Microsoft Edge window.
    Upper right corner of the browser window with an arrow pointing to the menu icon.
  2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
    Microsoft Edge drop-down menu with 'Settings' highlighted.
  3. After the Settings page opens, select Privacy, search, and services. (This option is located in the left column when using a laptop or desktop.)
    Microsoft Edge's Settings navigation menu with 'Privacy, search, and services' highlighted.
  4. Scroll down to the "Clear browsing data" section and click the Choose what to clear button.
    Edge's 'Clear browsing data' settings with 'Choose what to clear' circled.
  5. In the "Clear browsing data" window, select Last 24 hours for the time range. Ensure the Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files checkboxes are checked. Then click the Clear now button.
    The 'Clear browsing data' window with the 'Clear now' button circled.

Mozilla Firefox

  1. Click the menu icon in the upper-right corner of the Mozilla Firefox window.
    Upper right corner of the browser window with an arrow pointing to the menu icon.
  2. Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
    Mozilla Firefox drop-down menu with 'Settings' highlighted.
  3. After the Settings page opens, select Privacy & Security. (This option is located in the left column when using a laptop or desktop.)
    Mozilla Firefox's Settings navigation menu with 'Privacy & Security' highlighted.
  4. Scroll down to the "Cookies and Site Data" section and click the Clear Data... button.
    Firefox's 'Cookies and Site Data' settings with 'Clear Data' circled.
  5. In the "Clear Data" window, ensure the Cookies and Site Data and the Cached Web Content checkboxes are checked. Then click the Clear button.
    The 'Clear Data' window with the 'Clear' button circled.

Safari

  1. Click the Safari menu, then select Settings.... (The Safari menu is located in the top-left corner of the computer screen.)
  2. Select the Privacy tab.
  3. Click the Manage Website Data... button.
  4. Click the Remove All button. (This button is located near the bottom left of the pop-up window.)
  5. Click Done to close the window.
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