Skip to main content

Clearing Cache, Cookies and History

Chris Thornton

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 Help menu 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

Chrome for Android

  1. Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
  2. Touch (Advanced) Privacy.
  3. Touch Clear browsing data.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari (Apple iOS)

Note: The following steps apply to the newest version of Mobile Safari for iOS.
  1. Open your Settings app.
  2. Tap Safari.
  3. Tap Clear History and Website Data and confirm.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Chrome for iOS

  • Touch Chrome menu > Settings.
  • Touch Privacy.
  • Choose the data type you want to clear.
  • Touch Clear.
  • Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Desktop browsers

 Chrome

  1. In the browser bar, enter: 
     chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
  2. 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 the 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.

  3. Click Clear browsing data.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Firefox

  1. From the History menu, select Clear Recent History (If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible).
  2. From the Time range to clear: drop-down menu, select the desired range; to clear your entire cache, select Everything.
  3. Next to "Details", click the down arrow to choose which elements of the history to clear; to clear your entire cache, select all items.
  4. Click Clear Now.
  5. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Microsoft Edge

  1. In the top right, click the Hub icon (looks like three horizontal lines).
  2. Click the History icon, and then select Clear all history.
  3. Select Browsing history, then Cookies and saved website data, and then Cached data and files. Click Clear.
  4. After the "All Clear!" message appears, exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Internet Explorer 9 and higher

  1. Select Tools > Safety > Delete browsing history....

    If the menu bar is hidden, press Alt to make it visible.

  2. Deselect Preserve Favourites website data, and select:
    • Temporary Internet files or Temporary Internet files and website files
    • Cookies or Cookies and website data
    • History
  3. Click Delete. You will see a confirmation at the bottom of the window when the process is complete.
  4. Exit/quit all browser windows and re-open the browser.

Safari

Safari 8

  1. From the Safari menu, select Clear History and Website Data.
  2. Select the desired time range, and then click Clear History.
  3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

Safari 7 and below

  1. From the Safari menu, select Reset Safari....
  2. 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.
  3. Go to Safari > Quit Safari or press Command-Q to exit the browser completely.

Related articles