How to Clear the Internet Cache

A clogged cache can make searching the Internet a frustrating experience.

As you explore the Internet your web browser stores small bits of information which allow you to navigate back and forth between pages more easily (See Ref. 1). Thus, you don't have to wait so long for the page to retrieve the information all over again. However, as time goes on, your browser or Internet cache becomes overloaded with information. This can cause your browser to bog down. If you wish to improve your browser's speed and overall performance, try clearing its cache.

Instructions

Internet Explorer 8.0

1. Open Internet Explorer and select "Tools" from the menu bar at the top of the screen.

2. Select "Internet Options" from the available choices under "Tools."

3. Click on "Delete, which is found under "Browsing History."

4. Use your mouse to remove the checkmark next to every box except "Temporary Internet Files. After you've unchecked the boxes, click "Delete."

5. Click on "Ok" in order to proceed with the deletion.

6. Click "Ok" at the bottom of the "Internet Options" window. Close Internet Explorer and then restart it. Your browser/Internet cache will be cleared.

Firefox 3.5 and 3.6

1. Close all other browsers and open Firefox.

2. Select "Tools" from the menu at the top of the screen.

3. Click on "Clear recent memory" from the selections which appear under "Tools."

4. Ensure that "Everything" is selected from the "Time range to clear" menu at the top of the "Clear Recent History" window.

5. Click on the arrow next to "Details" if you do not see a list of items to delete. Once the items are displayed, uncheck everything except "cache." Unless you wish to delete information that may be vital, such as active logins and download histories, you must ensure that you only check "cache."

6. Select "Clear now" after you've checked "cache."

7. Click on "Ok" and close Firefox. When you restart your Firefox browser, you should find that your cache has been cleared.

Google Chrome

1. Open Google Chrome and select "Tools" from the menu at the top. Once you've opened "Tools," select "Options" from the available choices.

2. Click the "Under the hood" tab and select "Clear browsing data."

3. Click on the box next to "Clear browsing history" and decide how much data you wish to delete from the "Clear data from this period" menu which appears.

4. Click on "Clear browsing data." Then close Chrome and reopen it. Your cache should be clean.

Tips & Warnings

• For older versions of Internet Explorer, you can access your Internet cache by opening "Internet Options" and selecting "Delete Files" under "Temporary Internet Files." For older versions of Firefox, go to "Tools" and select "Options." Then go to "Privacy" and select "Clear now." Ensure that you only select "cache" before proceeding and click "Clear private data now."

References

• Indiana University: How Do I Clear My Web Browser's Cache and Cookies?
• LexisNexis: Clearing Your Browser's Cache Memory
• Google: Clearing Your Cache