Clear Browser Cache, Cookies, and History

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Before You Begin

Please note that clearing your web browser's cache, cookies, and history may remove data such as the following:

  • Saved passwords
  • Address bar predictions
  • Shopping cart contents, etc.

While you should clear your web browser's cache, cookies, and history periodically in order to prevent or resolve performance problems, you may wish to record some of your saved information first.

Troubleshooting Alternatives

If you need to clear your cache, cookies, and history for troubleshooting purposes, but are not 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:

  • Private Browsing (Firefox)
  • Browse in private with Incognito mode (Chrome)
  • Browse InPrivate (Microsoft Edge)
  • Use Private Browsing (Safari on Mac)

Instructions to Clear Cache May Differ

If the instructions below do not exactly match what you see for your specific version or browser, search your browser's Help menu for clear cache. If you are unsure what browser version you are using, from the Help menu or your browser's menu, select About [browser name].

Tip to Quickly Open Menu to Clear Browser Cache

For desktop browsers, to quickly open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history, ensure that the browser is open and selected, and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete (Windows) or Command + Shift + Delete (Mac).

Instructions to Clear Browser Cache, Cookies, and History

Chrome

  1. In the browser bar, enter: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
  2. At the top of the Clear browsing data window, select Advanced.
  3. Select the items you want to clear. If you wish to keep saved browsing history, saved passwords, cookies, etc. only leave the Cached box checked. The following are suggested:
    • Browsing history
    • Download history
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  4. From the Time range drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select All time.
  5. Select Clear data.
  6. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

  1. Open the menu (three bars at top right)
  2. Select History.
  3. Select Clear recent history.
  4. Using the Time range to clear menu, select Everything or the time range you want to clear.
  5. Check which elements of the history and data you want to clear. If you wish to keep saved browsing history (and saved passwords, cookies, etc), only leave the Cache box checked. The following are suggested:
    • Browsing & Download History
    • Cookies
    • Cache
  6. Select the blue OK button.
  7. Close all browser windows and restart Firefox.

Edge

  1. Click on the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the Edge browser window.
  2. Click History.
  3. Click on the ellipsis in the upper right corner of the History window.
  4. Click on Clear browsing data.
  5. Choose a Time range for what you want to clear.
  6. Check the boxes for what you want to clear. If you wish to keep saved browsing history, saved passwords, cookies, etc. only leave checked the Cached images and files box. The following are suggested:
    • Browsing history
    • Download history
    • Cookies and other site data
    • Cached images and files
  7. Select Clear now.
  8. After all clear, exit/quit all browser windows and reopen the browser.

Note: History for the selected time range is cleared entirely. If you wish to keep any saved browsing history (or saved passwords, cookies, etc), be sure to record your saved information first.

Safari

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

Additional Help

For assistance, please contact the IT Help Desk through our ticketing system or over the phone at (425) 739-8100 x8603.