How to Delete Your Temporary Internet Files

Deleting temporary Internet files is as easy as visiting the Web site from which they came. In this article, I'll explain this quick process for a number of different Internet browsers.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

How to Delete Your Temporary Internet Files

1. If you use Internet Explorer, go to "Tools" on the menu at the top of the screen. From that list, select "Internet Options." From the "General" tab, click the "Delete Files" button.

2. If you use Firefox, go to "Tools" on the menu at the top of the screen. From that list, select "Options." Go to "Privacy." Click the "Clear Now" button. When the window appears, check the option entitled "Cache," and then click "Clear Private Data Now."

3. If you use Netscape, go to "Edit" on the menu at the top of the screen. From that list, select "Preferences." Expand the "Advanced" menu. Click on "Cache." Click the "Clear Cache" button.

4. If you use Safari, go to "Safari" on the menu at the top of the screen. From that list, select "Empty Cache."

5. If you use Mozilla, go to "Edit" on the menu at the top of the screen. From that list, select "Preferences." Expand the "Advanced" menu. Click on "Cache." Click the "Clear Cache" button.

Tips & Warnings

• Rather than frequently deleting your temporary Internet files, most browsers allow you to adjust how much memory each file uses.
• Temporary Internet files are intended to reduce the time it takes to load Web pages that you've visited before. Theoretically, deleting them will increase the load time for sites you are returning to, but the difference typically isn't noticeable.