Optimize Your Web Experience By Clearing Your Browser Cache

Clearing your cache on a regular basis will ensure that your browser is functioning at optimal levels and displaying the most current information on the websites you are visiting. 

Each time you visit a web page, that page and its associated files are stored in your browser’s cache folder.  The cache makes visiting a page repeatedly faster because information is being loaded directly from the cache file rather than the internet.  Over time files accumulate in this folder leading to poor browser performance, errors and outdated information. To prevent these issues it's best to clear your cache at least once a week. 

The instructions for clearing the cache might be different for each browser and version.  We’ve listed the steps for the most common browsers below.    

 

GOOGLE CHROME

1. Click the wrench icon  on the browser toolbar.
2. Select Tools.
3. Select Clear browsing data.
4. In the dialog that appears, select the checkboxes for the types of information that you want to remove.
5. Use the menu at the top to select the amount of data that you want to delete. Select beginning of time to delete everything.
6. Click Clear browsing data.

Additional Support: http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?answer=95582

INTERNET EXPLORER

Internet Explorer 9
1. Close all browsers.
2. Open Internet Explorer.
3. Click the icon at the top right of the browser window and select Internet Options.
4. Click Delete under Browsing History.
5. Uncheck every box except for Temporary Internet Files in the Delete Browsing History window.
6. Click Delete.
7. Click OK.
8. Close and reopen the browser.

Internet Explorer 8.x
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools. If you don't see the menu, press Alt on your keyboard to show menus.
2. Select Delete Browsing History.
3. Select the checkbox next to "Temporary Internet Files."
4. Click Delete.
5. It can take several minutes for the cache history to be deleted. Once the files have been deleted, click Okay.

Internet Explorer 7.x
1. In Internet Explorer, click Tools. If you don't see the menu, press Alt on your keyboard to show menus.
Select Delete Browsing History.
2. Click Delete files.
3. Click Yes in the confirmation window.
4. Click Close.

Internet Explorer 6.x
1. In Internet Explorer, click the Tools menu.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Click Delete Files.
5. Click OK in the confirmation window.
6. Click OK to close the "Internet Options" window.

Additional Support: http://support.microsoft.com/ph/807

MOZILLA FIREFOX

Firefox 3.5.x for Windows
1. In Firefox, click the Tools menu.
2. Select Clear Recent History.
3. Under "Time Range to Clear," select Everything.
4. Select the "Details" checkbox.
5. Select the "Cache" checkbox.
6. Click Clear Now.

Firefox 3.x for Windows
1. In Firefox, click the Tools menu.
2. Select Clear Private Data.
3. Select the "Cache" checkbox.
4. Click Clear Private Data Now.

Firefox 3.x and 3.5.x for Mac OS X
1. Click the Firefox menu.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Select Advanced.
4. Click the Network tab.
5. In the "Offline Storage" section, click Clear Now.
6. Click OK.

Firefox 2.x for Windows
1. In Firefox, click the Tools menu.
2. Select Options.
3. Select Advanced.
4. Click the Network tab.
5. In the "Cache" section, click Clear Now.
6. Click OK.

Firefox 2.x for Mac OS X
1. Click the Firefox menu.
2. Select Preferences.
3. Select Advanced.
4. Click the Network tab.
5. In the "Cache" section, click Clear Now.
6. Click OK.

Additional Support:  http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/How%20to%20clear%20the%20cache?s=clear+cache&r=0&as=s

APPLE SAFARI

To find your version of Safari:

On Windows, click Help, then click About Safari.
On Mac OS X, click Safari, then click About Safari.

Clearing your cache:

Safari 3.x for Mac OS X
1. Click the Safari menu.
2. Select Empty Cache.
3. Click Empty.
4. Safari 3.x for Windows
5. In Safari, click the Edit menu.
6. Select Empty Cache.
7. Click Empty.
Additional Support: http://www.apple.com/safari/features.html#security

OPERA

To find your version of Opera:

On Windows, click Help, then click About Opera.
On Mac OS X, click Opera, then click About Opera.

Clearing your cache:

Opera 9.x for Windows
1. In Opera, click the Tools menu.
2. Click Preferences.
3. Select the Advanced tab.
4. Click History.
5. In the "Disk cache" section, click Empty Now.
6. Click OK to close the Preferences window.

Opera 9.x for Mac OS X
1. Click the Opera menu.
2. Click Preferences.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Click History.
5. In the "Disk cache" section, click Empty Now.
6. Click OK to close the Preferences window.