Each time you access a file through your web browser, the browser caches (stores) it. In this way, the files (including any images on the page) do not have to be retrieved anew from the remote web site each time you click the Back or Forward buttons. You should periodically clear the cache to allow your browser to function more efficiently. All those files stored in your cache take up space, so from time to time, you may want to clear out the files stored in your cache to free up some space on your computer. This is called clearing the cache.
Web browsers store copies of pages in the browser cache (“memory”) on your computer. By doing this, the page displays faster the next time it is viewed since the browser doesn’t have to retrieve it from the web server. Sometimes, however, an update is made on the website that you don’t see because the cached page is displayed.
Normally, to see the changes on your page, you click the Refresh or Reload button on the browser toolbar or the F5 key on your keyboard. In some cases, this simply reloads the page from the cache instead of retrieving it from the web server.
Below are some techniques to totally clear the browser’s cache so you will see the changes when your page reloads.
We will explain for the following operating systems and browsers:
- Windows
- Opera 9
- Chrome
- Mac OS and Mac OS X
- Safari 3
How to check if cache and cookies are cleared and removed from IE browsers
Microsoft Internet Explorer
To find the version, in Internet Explorer, click Help, and then click About Internet Explorer.
The About Internet Explorer pop-up window will open:
If you don’t see the Help menu, press Alt to show the menus.
First try clearing the browser cache for the version you’re using:
Internet Explorer 8.x
1. Click the Tools menu. If you don’t see the menu, press Alt button on your keyboard to show the menus.
2. Select Delete Browsing History.
3. Select the check-box for Temporary Internet Files.
4. Click the Delete button.
5. Once the files have been deleted, click Okay.
Note: It can take several minutes for the cache history to be deleted.
Internet Explorer 7.x
1. Click the Tools menu. If you don’t see the menu, press Alt button on your keyboard to show the menus.
2. Select Delete Browsing History.
3. Click the Delete all button.
4. Click the Yes button in the confirmation window.
5. Click the Close button.
Note: It can take several minutes for the cache history to be deleted.
Internet Explorer 6.x
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Select Internet Options.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Click the Delete Files button.
5. Click the OK button in the confirmation window.
6. Click the OK button to close the Internet Options window.
Note: It can take several minutes for the cache history to be deleted.
Mozilla Firefox
To find the version, in Firefox: On Windows, click Help, and then click About Mozilla Firefox.
The About Mozilla Firefox pop-up window will open:
On Mac OS X, click Firefox, and then click About Mozilla Firefox.
First try clearing the browser cache for the version you’re using
Firefox 3.5.x for Windows
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Select Clear Recent History.
3. Under Time Range to Clear select Everything.
4. Select the Details check-box.
5. Select the Cache check-box.
6. Click the Clear Now button.
Firefox 3.x for Windows
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Select Clear Private Data.
3. Select the Cache check-box.
4. Click the Clear Private Data Now button.
Firefox 3.x and 3.5.x for Mac OS X
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Select Clear Recent History option.
3. Under Time Range to Clear select Everything.
4. Select the Details check-box.
5. Select the Cache check-box.
6. Click the Clear Now button.
Firefox 2.x for Windows
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Select Clear Private Data.
3. Select the Cache check-box.
4. Click the Clear Private Data Now button.
Opera 9.x for Windows and MAC
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Click Preferences.
3. Select the Advanced tab.
4. In the left-hand column, click History.
5. In the Disk cache section, click Empty Now.
6. Click OK to close Preferences.
Safari 3.x for Windows and MAC
1. Click the Edit menu.
2. Select Empty Cache.
3. Click Empty button.
Google Chrome
1. Click the Tools menu.
2. Select Options.
3. Click Clear browsing data.
4. Check the Empty the cache and Delete cookies boxes.
5. Click Clear browsing data button.
How to check if cache and cookies are cleared and removed from IE browsers
In order to check if the cookies and cache the users need to do the following steps in IE browsers:
1. From the Tools menu, or the Tools drop-down at the upper right, select Internet Options.
2. Under “Browsing History”, click Settings.
3. Click View Objects and View Files
4. If both folders are empty then the cookies and cache was successfully cleared and removed from the system.