HOW TO CLEAN YOUR COMPUTER HISTORY
How do I clean my browser’s cache, cookies, and history?
Notes:
- In most computer-based web browsers, to open menus used to clear your cache, cookies, and history, press Ctrl-Shift-Delete (Windows) or Command-Shift-Delete (Mac). If this doesn’t work, follow the appropriate instructions below.
- If you don’t see instructions below for your specific version or browser, search your browser’s Helpmenu for “clear cache”. If you’re unsure what browser version you’re using, from the Help menu or your browser’s menu, select About [browser name]. In Internet Explorer and Firefox, if you don’t see the menu bar, press Alt.
Mobile browsers
Android
The steps to clear your cache, cookies, and history may differ depending on the model of your Android device and your preferred browser. However, you should be able to clear your cache and data from your application management settings menu:
- Go to Settings and choose Apps or Application Manager.
- Swipe to the All tab.
- In the list of installed apps, find and tap your web browser. Tap Clear Data and then Clear Cache.
- Close all browser windows.
Chrome for Android
- Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
- Touch (Advanced) Privacy.
- Touch Clear browsing data.
- Close all browser windows.
Safari (Apple iOS)
Note:
If you need instructions for older versions of Safari, you might find them in Apple Support.
- Open your Settings app.
- Tap Safari.
- Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
- Close all browser windows.
Chrome for iOS
- Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
- Touch Privacy.
- Choose the data type you want to clear.
- Touch Clear.
- Close all browser windows.
Desktop browsers
Chrome
- In the browser address bar, enter: chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
- Select the following:
- Browsing history
- Download history
- Cookies and other site and plug-in data
- Cached images and files
From the Obliterate the following items from: drop-down menu, you can choose the period of time for which you want to clear cached information. To clear your entire cache, select the beginning of time.
- Click Clear browsing data.
- Close all browser windows.
Firefox
- From the History menu, select Clear Recent History.If the menu bar is hidden, press the ALT key to make it visible.
- From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
- Next to “Details”, click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
- Click Clear Now.
- Close all browser windows.
Microsoft Edge
- In the top right, click the icon that looks like three horizontal lines called the Hub.
- Click History icon, and then select Clear all history.
- Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
- After the all clear message appears, close all browser windows.
Internet Explorer 9 and higher
Note:
It is highly recommended that you upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer as Microsoft has ceased support for all versions older than Internet Explorer 11. What version of Internet Explorer you can use will be determined by what version of Windows you are running, for instance Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8, 8.1, or 10.
- Select Tools > Safety > Delete browsing history…. (you can also access Tools by clicking on the gear icon on the upper right of the browser)If the menu bar is hidden, press ALT to make it visible.
- Uncheck the Preserve Favorites website data, and select:
- Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
- Cookies or Cookies and website data
- History
- Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
- Close all browser windows.
Opera
- From the Opera menu, select Settings, and then Delete Private Data….
- In the dialog box that opens, select the items you want to clear, and then click Delete.
- Exit/quit all browser windows.
Safari
Safari 8
- From the Safari menu, select Clear History and Website Data….
- Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
- Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.
Safari 7 and below
- From the Safari menu, select Reset Safari….
- Select the items you want to reset, and then click Reset. As of Safari 5.1, Remove all website data includes both cookies and cache.
- Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.