How to Clear Your Computer Cache & Reset Your Cookies
Your computer uses its web browser cache and cookies to store web pages, login information and other frequently accessed data that you may need when surfing the Internet. Occasionally, your cookies and your stored temporary Internet files or cache may become corrupted and need to be cleared. Windows operating system-based computers include the Internet Explorer web browser and the "Internet Options" Control Panel applet ties into Internet Explorer. If you use a third-party web browser, you must use the "Privacy" options in each browser to delete the cache and reset your cookies.
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Instructions
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Click on "Start," then "Control Panel." Click on "Classic View" in the left column if applicable.
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Double-click "Internet Options."
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Click on the "Delete" button in the "Browsing History" section of the "General" tab.
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Click on the check box next to "Preserve Favorites website data" to remove the check. Click on the boxes next to "Temporary Internet Files" and "Cookies" if they are not currently checked. (You may choose to also delete the "History," "Passwords" and "Form Data").
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Click on the "Delete" button and wait as Windows deletes your browser's cache and cookies.
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Click on the "Settings" button in the "Browsing History" section of the "General" tab of the Internet Options box.
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Click on the "View Files" button. Hold down "Ctrl" and "A" at the same time to select all files listed, then press the "Del" button on your keyboard.
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Click "Yes" to confirm that you wish to delete the files. Click on "OK" twice.
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Tips & Warnings
Turn on "InPrivate Browsing" to prevent Internet Explorer from recording your browsing history, cookies or temporary Internet files.
You must log back into any websites that requires cookies after you reset your cookies.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit computer image by Orlando Florin Rosu from Fotolia.com
